An exciting in-person event designed to boost your business skills and network with like-minded professionals providing a networking opportunity and to understand how AI can improve your business.

Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, our event offers a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, gain insights into the latest trends, and connect with potential collaborators.

The East Wicklow Business Network, in collaboration with the Greystones Fire Brigade, conducted a highly successful CPR training event at Templecarrig School on the 21st February. The event aimed to equip local business owners and staff with essential life-saving skills while raising funds for Wicklow Rapid Response, a voluntary organization.

We returned to our business breakfast briefings following the summer break. Our first breakfast seminar took place on the morning after Budget 24 was delivered.

With a highly anticipated budget to counter inflation and cost of living pressures, Noel Geraghty walked the room through his observations and thoughts on a range of budget topics with a focus on how the budget has impacted consumer sentiment, the macro economy through to small businesses in Ireland.

Wicklow’s business networking group, East Wicklow Business Network (EWBN), held its Spring Business Breakfast Briefing at the Greystones Golf Club, where Minister of State for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Neale Richmond was in attendance. The event marked the group’s official launch of its new website.

The East Wicklow Business Network (EWBN) has held its inaugural workshop at the Greystones Golf Club with over 35 attendees and a sold-out crowd. The workshop was designed to bring together local business owners and entrepreneurs to network, collaborate, and learn from industry experts. The attendees had the opportunity to listen to an insightful presentation, participate in interactive sessions, and engage in meaningful conversations with their peers.

Thanks to the Whale Theatre for hosting a sensational night on Saturday. The food and wine were superb and the staff were as friendly as always. They certainly got us into the mood for Christmas!

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting the East Wicklow Business Network during 2022. We held a number of business networking sessions with keynote speakers including Alison Banton, Aubrey Mc Carthy ( B.Sc.M.Sc. MTh ), Sean Gallagher, Noel Geraghty, Louise Fleming and Quincey Fennelly to name a few. We also revelled at Greystones Sailing Club and more recently at the Whale Theatre.

We will be announcing our 2023 schedule shortly but in the meantime we would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Aubrey McCarthy, is best known for his charity work with Tiglin, an organisation that provides opportunities, housing, rehabilitation and vital supports to those affected by homelessness and addiction. Tiglin operate the Rise at the Cove coffee shop in Greystones.

Born and raised in Punchestown, just outside Naas, Co. Kildare and coming from a family of six and growing up with three siblings in what he would describe "background of social deprivation" has set Aubrey off on a solitary journey from a young age.

In arguably the breakfast briefing session of 2022, Aubrey spoke about his first business activity. At 12, he started his first business venture – selling Watercress to a local Naas businessman named Feagal Quinn, who later grew the "Super Quinn" business. From thereon, Aubrey ventured into the antique business in order to finance his education. Moreover, the antique company allowed him to live and travel to London and grow his two businesses: transport and furniture sales.

Having built a good life for himself, knowing that "God is in control", and remembering the impact dysfunctional upbringing and addiction can have on people, he decided to get involved in work that would help those disadvantaged and suffering from addiction. So, in 2008, alongside a few of his friends and the retired circuit court – Judge Gillian Hussey, Aubrey started a rehabilitation centre called Tiglin. Today, Tiglin operates seven centres with hundreds of people in their care.

Aubrey has been awarded the 2016 Rehab Person of the Year for his societal impact work. Moreover, today Aubrey is also the volunteer Chair of SWADTF and DCM and is an active board member of Casadh.

In his recent run for Seanad Éireann, Aubrey promoted improvements in access to affordable housing, education opportunities, business, tackling violence against women and environment and sustainability.

We returned to our business breakfast briefings following the summer break. Our first breakfast seminar took place on the morning after Budget 22 was delivered. With a highly anticipated budget this year to counter inflation and cost of living pressures, Noel Geraghty walked the room through his observations and thoughts on a range of budget topics with a focus on how the budget will impact consumer sentiment, the macro economy through to small businesses in Ireland.

Noel has been in practice since 1979. He commenced his professional career with Deloitte & Touche in Dublin. He subsequently worked in a range of other accountancy practices in Dublin, working closely with small and medium enterprises across a diverse range of industries, gaining a wealth of experience in the areas of accountancy, audit and taxation.

In 1991 he established Noel P Geraghty & Co and has thrived in practice due to the wide range of services he provides to clients. Noel works very closely with his clients and provides further advisory services in areas including Revenue and banking negotiations, restructuring, obtaining grant aid and litigation support.

Also joining us on the morning were members from Wicklow County Tourism. Wicklow County Tourism, who operate the visitwicklow.ie website, is a not for profit organisation dedicated to the development and promotion of Wicklow as a tourism destination. As part of a general awareness campaign they shared some insights into how further development is in the interests of the local business community.

Wicklow’s newest business network wrapped up its social events for the summer with a presentation from Alison Banton, founder and CEO of Greystones retailer Brooke & Shoals at the last in their Business Breakfast Series.

The Greystones Improvement Association celebrated 100 years of operation at the inaugural East Wicklow Business Network social event at Greystones Sailing Club.

Offering some candid stories and drawing on his own experience as an entrepreneur, investor, mentor and business writer, former Dragons’ Den investor and entrepreneur Sean Gallagher, who is now living in Kilmacanogue, shared key insights on how to start, grow and scale your business and how to survive and thrive even when faced with obstacles and challenges.

To coincide with National Local Enterprise Week, Louise Fleming, Senior Enterprise Development Officer with the Local Enterprise Office, Wicklow gave an overview presentation of all the services, grants, training and assistance available to all business owners in the County via the Wicklow Local Enterprise Office.