Ballinamore has potential as standalone tourist destination, says heritage society
Rowland O'Callaghan highlights Ballinamore's untapped tourism potential, citing its location between the Royal Canal and Inny River, proximity to six golf cours
Business
Local business news, openings, investment and economic stories from Irish towns.
43 stories tracked.
Home heating efficiency tips to cut energy bills this winter
Ted Loverty from online tradesman.ie discusses practical, low-cost actions homeowners can take to reduce heating bills without major expenditure. Key advice inc
Australian café culture comes to Carrick-on-Shannon with Morning Glory success
An Irish emigrant returned from Australia with a vision to bring café culture home, opening Morning Glory Café in Carrick-on-Shannon two and a half years ago. I
Morning Glory Café wins Connock Twitter Best Newcomer Award for 2023
Morning Glory Café in Carrick-on-Shannon was nominated and won the Connock Twitter Best Newcomer Award in 2023. The owner was surprised to win, attending the aw
Açai bowls become unexpected hit at Morning Glory Café in Carrick-on-Shannon
What started as a fad has become a runaway success: açai bowls are now sold in high volumes at Morning Glory Café. The owner sources them through a Galway-based
Leitrim County Council hosts women in business event in Carrick-on-Shannon
Leitrim County Council recently held a women in business event in Carrick-on-Shannon attended by the interviewer, where speakers including Norreys presented sto
Irish Emigrant Returns to Open Successful Café in Carrigallen
A proud Irishman who worked in Australian cafés returned home to Carrigallen and opened Morning Glory Café, inspired by the vibrant café culture he experienced
Açai Bowls Boom in Regional Cafés Following Australian Trend
Açai bowls have suddenly become ubiquitous across cafés in the Shannonside region, with Morning Glory Café in Carrigallen crediting their explosion in popularit
Leitrim entrepreneur launches heritage basket-making business
A Leitrim-based business owner has established 'Hilly and Gold Willow', a basket-making and nature-based crafts enterprise that grew from a recreational hobby.
Italian entrepreneur launches language services business in Leitrim
An Italian native who came to Ireland on an Erasmus exchange 16 years ago has launched a specialized language services business in Leitrim, offering translation
Leitrim basket maker turns hobby into thriving heritage business
A Leitrim-based entrepreneur has successfully built a sustainable basket-making and nature-based crafts business called 'Hilly and Gold Willow' after nearly two
Hurtrich's Butchers finalist for prestigious Blossom Irish Food Awards
Hurtrich's Butchers in Longford, a family-run business spanning over 100 years with roots tracing back to a German master butcher who emigrated in 1907, has bee
Accommodation shortage limiting Longford Marathon growth potential
Despite record demand for the Longford Marathon, organisers are facing a significant constraint: lack of hotel and accommodation facilities. Potential participa
Hurtrich's Butcher Shop nominated for Blossom Food Awards
Hurtrich's, a family-run butcher business in Longford with over 100 years of history, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious Blossom Food Awards.
Longford Marathon faces accommodation shortage limiting growth
Despite record entries and popularity, the Longford Marathon is being held back from reaching its full potential due to a shortage of hotel accommodation in the
Developer reflects on risk of entering business in 1997
A local business owner discusses their decision to leave a permanent job in 1997 to start their own venture, describing it as a big risk that ultimately paid of
Local developer on Celtic Tiger boom and 2008 crash impact
A Roscommon business owner provides firsthand account of the economic boom that began around 2000-2001 and the sudden collapse in 2007-2008. They describe the f
Roscommon Town transformed by Celtic Tiger developments still in use
A local developer highlights how major retail and leisure developments in Roscommon Town—including Central Point and a retail park with investments of €14-17 mi
Roscommon entrepreneur launches gin range after COVID sobriety journey
A returned emigrant who gave up alcohol during South African COVID lockdowns has launched Shaker & Co, a range of premium gin and tonic mixes. The company, esta
Roscommon beauty entrepreneur to speak at London Day of Empowerment event
A Roscommon-based beauty business owner will be one of three main speakers at the Day of Empowerment event in London on March 4th, alongside the CEO of internat
Roscommon beauty studio thrives through two decades of challenges
A Roscommon beauty studio owner reflects on 22 years in business, navigating booms, downturns, and the impact of COVID-19. Despite losing 40-50 weddings in the
Developer reflects on risk of leaving secure job in 1997
An unnamed property developer discusses the pivotal decision to leave permanent employment in 1997 to start their own business. Despite warnings from others, th
Celtic Tiger boom transformed Roscommon town economy
A property developer recounts how the economic boom beginning around 2000-2001 dramatically transformed Roscommon town, with unprecedented development, tax ince
2008 financial crash shocked developers; mortgage crisis hit families hard
The developer describes the sudden shock of the 2008 financial crash, which reversed years of unchecked growth. Many people entered receivership and faced serio
Major retail developments legacy of Celtic Tiger boom in Roscommon
The developer highlights lasting positive legacies of the Celtic Tiger era in Roscommon town, including major retail and entertainment venues such as Central Po
Post-crash house refurbishment revived abandoned developments in Roscommon
Following the 2008 crash, some of the housing developments left incomplete or abandoned have since been refurbished, sold, or converted to rental properties. Th
South African returnee launches gin and tonic business in Roscommon
An entrepreneur who spent 13 years in South Africa returned to Ireland in 2022 and launched a premium gin and tonic mix company called Shaker & Co in 2023. Afte
Shaker & Co launches four gin and tonic flavours
The new gin brand Shaker & Co has introduced four ready-to-drink gin and tonic mixes featuring classic, Sicilian lemon, blood orange, and berry flavours. All pr
Roscommon beauty business owner to speak at London Day of Empowerment event
A beauty studio owner from Roscommon town has been selected as one of three main speakers at the international Day of Empowerment event in London on March 4th.
Beauty studio owner reflects on 22 years in business amid COVID challenges
The owner of a beauty studio in Roscommon town has celebrated over two decades in the beauty industry, reflecting on how the business has evolved through econom
Local zero-alcohol beverage company launches nationally with major retailer deals
A new Irish zero-alcohol gin and tonic alternative company, established in 2024, has launched products in Super Value stores across the west and northwest and i
Local drinks producer launches zero-alcohol GNT brand
A local business has launched a zero-alcohol GNT (gin and tonic style) drink available in four flavors: Lemon, Bluemond, Blood Orange, and Berry Pink. The produ
Longford family business wins local enterprise award after 40 years
A Longford-based truck body building and van racking company has won a county enterprise award after operating successfully since 1987. The family business, whi
Canadian mineral supplement company launches Irish operations
A Canada-based company specializing in injectable trace mineral supplements for cattle has launched its domestic Irish operations after establishing itself in t
Blossom Heron Awards celebrates 18 years as Ireland's premier food industry event
The Blossom Heron Awards, now Ireland's biggest industry awards, continues to bring together producers, buyers, and industry professionals for a three-day event
Shaker & Co gin mixes named finalist in Irish Food Awards
The newly launched Shaker & Co gin and tonic range has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Irish Food Awards. Winners will be announced on October 4t
Australian-trained barista opens thriving cafe in Carrick-on-Shannon
An Irish emigrant who worked in Australian cafes has successfully opened Morning Glory Cafe in Carrick-on-Shannon, defying initial skepticism from locals. The c
Acai bowls surge in popularity across Shannonside FM region cafes
Acai bowls, a Brazilian berry-based breakfast dish, have rapidly become popular across cafes in the region. Morning Glory Cafe owner introduced them about a yea
Longford family business wins enterprise award after 40 years
A Longford-based truck body building business has won a Longford Enterprise Award after nearly four decades in operation. The company, founded in 1987 as a sole
Auctioneer entered Gerald franchise around 2000, expanded with boom
The auctioneer entered the Gerald franchise around 2000, just as the Irish economy was beginning the period of rapid growth that would characterize the Celtic T
Celtic Tiger boom transformed Roscommon town with major developments
During the 2000-2008 Celtic Tiger era, Roscommon town experienced unprecedented property boom with significant commercial and residential developments. Major pr
2007-2008 crash hit Roscommon hard; developers, builders faced receivership
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 rapidly reversed the property boom, with many developers and builders going into receivership. The auctioneer describes the sh
Roscommon town now features Tesco, Dunnes, cinema from Celtic Tiger era
Despite the property crash, many Celtic Tiger-era developments in Roscommon town have survived and remain in use today, including major retail anchors like Tesc