Mark Connaughton, owner of klaaskickz, Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Sam Watkin, who represented Ireland at six-a-side football this year.

Westmeath business gets a kick out of ploughing 2023

Published: Fri 29 Sep 2023, 5:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 29 Sep 2023, 5:01 PM

Westmeath business klaaskickz got the chance to exhibit to more than 200,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships as part of the Local Enterprise Village.

klaaskickz, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Westmeath sell colour-coded football boots to help children learn football through colours and become more confident.

Some 30 small businesses from across the country took stands in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the National Ploughing Championships.

The LEO Village welcomed well known faces such as Nevin Maguire, Minister Simon Coveney, President Michael D Higgins and An Tánaiste Micheal Martin during the three days.

Mark Connaughton from klaaskickz said: “Overall, the National Ploughing Championships was a great success for us. We received massive PR from the event, including a TV appearance on Ireland AM and local radio, which was great recognition for our brand.

“The event gave us the opportunity to educate our customers on what colour-coded football boots are and how they can help your son or daughter learn to play football and GAA, and we also sold some klaaskickz football boots at the event.

“The stand also gave us the opportunity to link in with shops and hopefully future customers.”

Sam Watkin and Mark Connaughton. Photo by Andy Davies

Christine Charlton, head of Enterprise, LEO Westmeath, said the ploughing are a platform for small businesses to connect with potential customers from the personal and business world.

“Mark from klaaskickz was a fabulous representative for LEO Westmeath and made the most of the opportunity,” she added.

Some of the clients involved this year covered areas such a kids clothing and games, agritech products, luxury bathing and skincare products, artisan food and drink producers, sustainable clothing and beauty products.

The Local Enterprise Village is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Ploughing Championships.

It is just one of a number of initiatives the LEOs 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 LEOs in local authorities are funded by the government through Enterprise Ireland.

Established in 2014, the LEOs 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. They have helped create 25,000 jobs across the country. For more information see www.LocalEnterprise.ie.