Cork's Businesses Get a Week of Free Support as Local Enterprise Week Gets Underway

Local Enterprise Week 2026 has kicked off in Cork City today, with a packed schedule of free in-person and online events running until Friday, 6 March. Organised by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Cork City, the week puts a particular focus on leadership, exporting, sustainable procurement, and support for the self-employed.

All events are free to attend, but advance online registration is required.

The week opened today with an online workshop by image consultant Lynda Di Blasi, titled Wearing Your Brand, aimed at entrepreneurs who want to use their personal image as a marketing tool.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, brings an in-person Export Excellence session at the Talbot Hotel in Ballincollig, where experts will advise on all aspects of exporting. Tuesday evening sees Veronica Murphy of Fitzen Consulting Ltd. host an online session on what's involved in starting a business.

Wednesday's highlight is a panel discussion at the Vienna Woods Hotel titled Climate Worrier, with Virginia O'Gara of My Goodness and Pat Falvey of Blarney Brewing Company discussing sustainability in business. The session will be hosted by Cork author and comedian Colm O'Regan, which promises to make the topic of climate action considerably more entertaining than most.

Wednesday also features webinars on LEO Business Supports and Sustainable Procurement, while the evening brings a Leadership Insights talk at St Peter's, organised in partnership with Network Cork, with Marie Gleeson of NavMar Leadership Ltd.

Thursday morning focuses on self-employment, with Gráinne Galvin of Ruby & Evergreen and Brigid Farrell of All Talk Training sharing their entrepreneurial journeys at the Imperial Hotel.

The week wraps up on Friday with a smartphone photography workshop by photographer and content creator Joleen Cronin, helping business owners capture better images of their products and services.

Online Advice Clinics will run throughout the week, covering business development, finance, marketing, and social media.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, said:

"We are very lucky to have the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City offering support and advice to hundreds of businesses every year. Local Enterprise Week has a really exciting schedule of events for start-ups and the small/micro enterprise sector and I would encourage people to register for the events and make the most of what's on offer."

Dr. Niall O'Keeffe, Head of Enterprise at LEO Cork City, said:

"Local Enterprise Week is a shop window for all of the offerings and services that the Local Enterprise Office have. We have a tremendous amount of supports for businesses at all stages of development, everything from business advice clinics to mentoring, to training across a whole range of topics. Then we have a lot of examples of practical, tangible, positive outcomes from getting involved in some of the schemes, whether it's being a more LEAN business, focusing on digital or focusing on green. We also have grants for businesses that are looking to trade internationally or export or are in the manufacturing field."

Full details and online registration for all events are available at localenterprise.ie/corkcity.