Kildare business gets national spotlight at the Ploughing

One of Kildare’s best small businesses will get a chance to exhibit to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska next month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.

Equine Products Ireland Ltd. is a micro enterprise supported by the Kildare Local Enterprise Office, and owned by equine nutrition expert James Kelly of Narraghmore, specialising in equine nutritional supplements.

The Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, will house over 30 small businesses and will be located at the heart of this year’s National Ploughing Championships from 17-19 September.

James said they are “thrilled” to have been selected to represent Kildare in the Local Enterprise Village.

“We welcome the opportunity to showcase our products to the diverse crowd who will be in attendance,” he said. “We are very thankful for all the help from our Local Enterprise Office and this help allows us and so many other companies like us to grow and thrive.” 

Kildare Co Council’s Head of Enterprise Jacqui McNabb described this as an “opportunity like no other” for a small business in Ireland.

“The chance to bring their ideas and products to almost 300,000 potential customers is a showcase like no other, and we had huge interest from potential exhibitors for this event,” she explained. “The Local Enterprise Village has become one of those areas everyone wants to drop into to find their local business and see what they can pick up.

“James has over 30 years of experience in the equine breeding industry which led him to develop nutritional products recognised as the ‘best in class’ for equine health and performance. He has been proactive in engaging with the supports the local enterprise has to offer to grow his business and strengthen his brand.

“There is a huge variety of businesses highlighting the depth of sectors that the Local Enterprise Offices support from manufacturing to food and beverage, to software solutions. Whatever you are interested in there is something for everyone at the Local Enterprise Village.” 

Some of the clients involved this year cover areas such as kids clothing and games, ag-tech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products.

Kildare NPA Director John Dunne said it’s “wonderful to see so many diverse and impressive businesses partaking in this year’s ‘Local Enterprise Village’ at the National Ploughing Championships… this is an ideal and unique opportunity for these companies to showcase their products and wares to over 250,000 visitors that [the] Ploughing attracts.”