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A small business from Donegal will get the chance to exhibit itself to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, County Offaly next week as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
Jerusha Marley, who is supported by Local Enterprise Office Donegal, is a Donegal-based Irish artist and luxury design brand creating silk scarves, velvet cushions, prints and cards inspired by sacred geometry, Celtic symbolism, Irish mythology and spirituality.
Each collection begins as original hand-drawn artwork and is transformed into meaningful wearable and collectible art sold in Ireland and worldwide.
The Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, will house over 30 small businesses from across the country and will be located at the heart of this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Offaly from the 15th to 17th September.
This year the Local Enterprise Village will also have a Business Advice Hub for any budding entrepreneurs or existing businesses who want to get advice from the Local Enterprise Offices Specialist Business Advisors.
So, for anyone who has a business idea that wants to figure out how to get it off the ground. or for someone with an existing business who may want advice on funding, sustainability or building digital and AI into their business, there will be advisors on hand to meet with.
The Local Enterprise Village will again host the Google AI team this year following on from the success of the Google area in 2025. Their experts will also be in the Local Enterprise Village with an interactive area focused on making AI work for you and your business.
With close to 300,000 visitors expected across the three days of the event, the Local Enterprise Village provides these small businesses with significant exposure to new audiences and potential new customers.
Enterprise Europe Network will also be based in the Village for the first time, giving advice to businesses who want to begin looking at new markets across the EU.
Find Jerusha Marley’s beautiful creations at Block 3, Row 8, Stand 150 in the Local Enterprise Village at this year’s National Ploughing Championships
Speaking ahead of the event, Jerusha Marley said: “I’m delighted to be taking part in the National Ploughing Championships this year.
“It’s such a huge platform, and to have the chance to bring my work in front of almost 300,000 people is an incredible opportunity for a small Donegal business like mine.
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“Every piece I create carries so much meaning for me, so getting to share that story directly with people, and see their reaction to the work in person, means a lot!
“I’m really grateful to Local Enterprise Office Donegal for their support in making this happen.”
Jerusha Marley, who is supported by Local Enterprise Office Donegal. Photo by Joe Dunne
Grace Korbel, Acting Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Donegal, said: “It’s great to have Jerusha Marley representing Donegal at the National Ploughing Championships this year.
“The Local Enterprise Village has become one of those spots everyone wants to drop into to discover a local business and see what they can pick up, and it’s a brilliant platform for a business like Jerusha’s to reach a national audience.
“There’s a huge amount on offer for businesses attending this year, from a Start-Up Advisor Hub for anyone with a great idea who doesn’t know where to begin, to the Google AI team on-site guiding businesses on integrating AI into their day-to-day workflow, and the Enterprise Europe Network helping open doors across the EU.
“And there’s plenty for visitors too, with a huge variety of businesses exhibiting, highlighting the depth of sectors that Local Enterprise Offices support, from manufacturing and food and beverage to software solutions and fashion. Whatever you’re interested in, there’s something for everyone at the Local Enterprise Village.”
With some of the biggest companies and organisations in Ireland taking up residence at the Ploughing every year, the Local Enterprise Village continues to be a popular destination on the site for those looking to pick up something unique to bring home from some of the best small businesses in Ireland.
The Local Enterprise Village will showcase the very best of Irish entrepreneurship and will house businesses across all sectors from clothing, craft and artisanal food to bovine genetics and woodwork machinery.
Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, said: “The Local Enterprise Village is such a valuable part of the Ploughing, giving small Irish businesses from across the country the opportunity to showcase what they do to the huge crowds that attend each year. We are delighted to welcome the 31 businesses selected this year and it’s great to see them have the opportunity to reach new customers and showcase their products & services to such a large audience.
“It’s great to welcome Google back for a second year, alongside the Local Enterprise Offices who will be on hand offering advice and support. It’s great to see such valuable supports available to small businesses and budding entrepreneurs.”
The Local Enterprise Village is just one of a number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run, to foster entrepreneurship across the country.
Others include Local Enterprise Week, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, National Women’s Enterprise Day and Local Enterprise Showcase.
The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow.
Since their inception in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 80,000 jobs across the country.
The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses. For more information see https://www.localenterprise.ie/donegal/