At the launch of Local Enterprise Week 2026 this morning were, from left, Eddie Casey KC Sports; Senior Enterprise Development officer, LEO Westmeath, Tracey Tallon; Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, TD; Evelyn Quinn, KC Sports; Jean Ryan, director of services, Westmeath County Council; and Irene Lynch, Economic Development officer, Westmeath County Council.

15 events for Local Enterprise Week 2026 in Westmeath

Published: Mon 23 Feb 2026, 12:47 PM

Last updated: Mon 23 Feb 2026, 1:02 PM

Small business owners and budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sample 15 events aimed at helping them to start or grow businesses as part of this year’s Local Enterprise Week in Westmeath.

An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, it takes place on March 2-6.

While there are hundreds of events nationally during the week, there are 15 in Westmeath open to all, and they will focus on green initiatives, digitisation, LEAN, finance for small business, AI, and networking opportunities.

Each of the 31 LEOs will be running events in their areas that cover a variety of topics relevant to small business owners and those starting up. The events are open to all, and offer the opportunity to get expert advice on key areas of business from raising funds, improving online presence, and the benefits of AI, to how to make a business more productive and save money.

Chistine Charlton, head of Enterprise, LEO Westmeath, said: “Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic marker in the road for any business. It’s an opportunity to take stock of where you are, see where you can grow, where you can innovate or maybe become more sustainable and see what resources are available on your doorstep.

“There is something for everyone and – for those who maybe always had an ambition to start on their own, or a great idea – this is the week to see how to get started and make it happen.

“There are hundreds of events, all over the country, covering everything from exporting and digital to going green or growing an idea. With a fantastic selection of events on your doorstep, I would encourage everyone to take a look and get involved.”

The LEOs located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014, they have been for the first stop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and provide a range of supports including funding, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.

They also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards. The LEOs are also running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business.

See AllInADaysWork.ie; LocalEnterprise.ie; and LocalEnterprise.ie/Week, where there are details for all the events across the country during Local Enterprise Week.

At the launch of Local Enterprise Week 2026 this morning were, from left, David Quirke, Wholesome Kitchen, Mullingar; Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, TD; head of Enterprise, LEO Westmeath, Christine Charlton; and Liam Gilleran, Gilleran’s Bar, Mullingar.

See this week's Westmeath Examiner for pen pics on the finalists in the Westmeath County Enterprise Awards, held as part of Local Enterprise Week. The announcement of the winners takes place at Bloomfield House Hotel on Wednesday March 4 at 5pm.