Female entrepreneurs gather for inspiring Kilkea Castle event
Sarah De Lagarde, Sonya Kavanagh, Claire Dunleavy and Jackie McNabb Photos: Aisling Hyland
KILKEA Castle hosts ‘She Succeeds’ as more than 180 female entrepreneurs descended on the historic grounds of Kilkea Castle to celebrate the legacy of St Brigid for the second annual Women in Business event.
The luncheon was led by Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, in association with County Kildare Chamber and Network Ireland Kildare Branch, and celebrated leadership, resilience and innovation, featuring the inspirational story of Sarah de Lagarde.
“We couldn’t have asked for a more fitting setting for today’s event than Kilkea Castle, a place rich in history and tradition,” said Sonya Kavanagh, chief executive, Kildare County Council.
“It’s the perfect backdrop for paying tribute to St Brigid, a powerful symbol of inspiration and resilience. These words — inspiration and resilience — are especially fitting when we reflect on our guest speaker today, Sarah De Lagarde.”
Sarah's life took a dramatic turn on 30 September 2022, when she fell through the gap in between the train and the platform and was run over by two tube trains on the London Underground.
Despite the severe injuries, including the loss of her right arm and leg, Sarah’s journey is marked by groundbreaking achievements in technology and innovation.
As the first woman in the world to be fitted with a £250,000 AI-powered bionic arm, she stands at the forefront of discussions on the future of prosthetics and the role of AI in enhancing human capabilities, and her story is not just one of survival but of thriving in the face of adversity.
Her keynote speech, entitled ‘St Brigid’s Legacy: Embracing Change and Resilience for Women in Business’ left attendees inspired and equipped with actionable strategies to thrive in their careers. In her closing remarks, Sarah emphasized “The future is uncertain, and our time is limited: make your actions count!”
Jacqui McNabb, head of enterprise, tourism and economic development, Kildare County Council said: “Together with County Kildare Chamber and Network Ireland Kildare Branch, we were delighted to host this event in celebration of the resilience and determination that we aim to nurture among Kildare’s women in business.”
The event also launched the She Succeeds programme of events for Kildare’s Women in Business for 2025.
Claire Dunleavy, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Kildare County Council said: “She Succeeds exists to empower Kildare’s Women in Business, providing a space for collaboration, learning, and business opportunities.
“Enterprise Week takes place from 3 March with Kildare’s first Big Business Showcase. Sustainability, digital transformation, financial management, and global reach are all on this year’s agenda.”
