A chance to impress
A small business from Tipperary will get the chance to exhibit themselves to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, County Offaly next month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
Rivesci, supported by Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, is a multi-award-winning condiment company based in Clonmel, founded by Shannon Forrest and Michelin-star-trained chef Declan Malone. The business produces premium small-batch chilli oils and condiments using quality Irish ingredients where possible and was named Blas na hÉireann Supreme Champion in 2024.
The Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, will house over 30 small businesses from across the country and will be located at the heart of this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Offaly from September 15 to 17.
This year the Local Enterprise Village will also have a Business Advice Hub for any budding entrepreneurs or existing businesses who want to get advice from the Local Enterprise Offices Specialist Business Advisors. So, for anyone who has a business idea that wants to figure out how to get it off the ground or for someone with an existing business who may want advice on funding, sustainability or building digital and AI into their business there will be advisors on hand to meet with.
The Local Enterprise Village will again host the Google AI team this year following on from the success of the Google area in 2025. Their experts will also be in the Local Enterprise Village with an interactive area focused making AI work for you and your business.
With close to 300,000 visitors expected across the three days of the event the Local Enterprise Village provides these small businesses with significant exposure to new audiences and potential new customers. Enterprise Europe Network will also be based in the Village for the first time, giving advice to businesses who want to begin looking at new markets across the EU.
Joint owner of Rivesci, Shannon Forrest said that they are “incredibly proud to be representing Tipperary at this year’s event, the exposure from the three-day exhibition in the Local Enterprise Village will help to increase brand awareness from the high numbers expect to visit and inevitably increase sales”.
Head of Enterprise & Economic Development, Anthony Fitzgerald said “This is an opportunity like no other for a small business in Ireland. The chance to bring their ideas and products to almost 300,000 potential customers over the three day event is a once in a life time opportunity. The Local Enterprise Village has become one of those areas everyone wants to drop into to find their local business and see what they can pick up. This year we are building out our offering to small businesses who may be attending the ploughing or maybe those that have a great idea and don’t know where to start with our Start-Up Advisor Hub."
With some of the biggest companies and organisations in Ireland taking up residence at the ploughing every year, the Local Enterprise Village continues to be a popular destination on the site for those looking to pick up something unique to bring home from some of the best small businesses in Ireland.
Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association, said: “The Local Enterprise Village is such a valuable part of the Ploughing, giving small Irish businesses from across the country the opportunity to showcase what they do to the huge crowds that attend each year. We are delighted to welcome the 31 businesses selected this year and it’s great to see them have the opportunity to reach new customers and showcase their products & services to such a large audience.”