STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

New Enterprise Opportunities Seminar in Belmullet

By Joan Fahey, June 2, 2009

An evening seminar on new enterprise opportunities was held in Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet on Monday 25th May. The objective of the seminar was to identify some of the trends and opportunities for new enterprise in a number of sectors including Food, Aquaculture, Tourism and Ocean Energy.

Speaking at the Seminar, Eoin Sweeney, Head of the new Ocean Energy Unit, at Sustainable Energy Ireland outlined some of the enterprise opportunities that the ocean energy sector will offer over the coming years, both for existing companies and potential entrepreneurs. “Ireland is poised on the edge of one of the best wave climates in the world in terms of usable energy” said Sweeney. Local developments include the establishment of the early stage ocean energy test site in Galway Bay and the proposed grid-connected test site off the Erris Peninsula in Mayo.

Meadhb Seoighe, Food Specialist with Údarás na Gaeltachta, spoke about the recent trends developing in the Food sector. Seoighe spoke about how niche sectors such as functional foods and ethical foods were gaining in importance in the market. She also spoke about the changing profile of the convenience foods sector and the newly developing online food retail businesses.

Other speakers included Brian Quinn, Fáilte Ireland who spoke about the recent developments in the tourism sector in the west of Ireland; and James Ryan from the Marine Institute who spoke about opportunities for enterprise in aquaculture. If you would like information on any of the presentations, please contact Mayo Ideas Lab, Tel (097) 27945 or email jfahey@westbic.ie

Mayo Ideas Lab is a collaborative project involving Údarás na Gaeltachta, Mayo County Council, Mayo County Development Board, WESTBIC, FAS, Mayo VEC and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. Mayo Ideas Lab is being led by WESTBIC and overseen by Mayo County Development Board.