Unlocking the Western Corridor: Major business event comes to Leitrim

An event in Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday, October 3, at Carrick Business Campus will bring together businesses and senior business leaders for a series of talks and panel discussions focused on helping companies scale in Ireland, particularly in Leitrim, the north west, and beyond.

According to leading entrepreneur, business figure and broadcaster Norah Casey, who has strong ties to Leitrim, Irish businesses need more support, incentives – “and inspiration” – to set up outside Dublin and drive regional development. 

Casey highlighted the “massive, untapped potential” for economic growth along Ireland’s Western Corridor but stressed that ambition must be backed by strategic investment, stronger infrastructure, and support for local enterprises.

Casey, who has enjoyed a highly successful and varied business and broadcasting career, will host the October 3 event, organised by Carrick Business Campus Advisory Group and Leitrim County Council. 

The event, titled ‘Powering Up – Scaling for Impact,’ aims to showcase opportunities for growth and inspire regional entrepreneurs.

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An advisory board member of Carrick Business Campus, Casey, whose mother is from Leitrim and who spends time there regularly, believes centres like this can help the next generation of entrepreneurs flourish. 

She pointed to Leitrim’s standout global success stories, such as Pat Rigney and The Shed Distillery, as examples of what can be achieved from a rural base with the right supports.

‘Powering Up – Scaling for Impact’ takes place just days before Budget 2026, which will set out the Government’s business and entrepreneurship supports for the coming year. Current issues facing businesses include VAT rates for the hospitality sector, minimum wage requirements, and pension auto-enrolment schemes.

Commenting ahead of the event, Norah Casey said, “There is a real need to look at growth in towns along the Western Atlantic Corridor including Carrick on Shannon and Sligo, so we can finally create much-promised regional development and spread the focus away from Dublin.

“Some good things have happened – broadband connectivity is certainly better and there are a lot of existing supports for business and enterprises – but we need far better infrastructure and housing and affordable childcare, for example to attract investment and create successful businesses.

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“The region also needs a better share of Foreign Direct Investment. We have seen in Leitrim how people with big ideas have pulled it off by having big ambition and a global mindset – I’d love to see many other businesses do the same thing.

“At Powering Up – Scaling for Impact, people will get an opportunity to hear some amazing success stories and get advice on how to be successful themselves. When you want to know how to get somewhere, what better way than to ask someone who is already there. This event is a must-attend for anyone enthusiastic about Ireland’s entrepreneurial future.”

The October 3 event will feature a strong line up of speakers from across technology, science, and the food and drinks industries. 

Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, will deliver the opening remarks.

Leadership panel discussions will include Pat Rigney of The Shed Distillery, Karen May of Xocean, and Colm Hamrogue of Atlantic Aviation Group. 

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A second panel on enterprise and growth will feature Paula Fitzsimons of Going for Growth, Méabh Conaghan, Regional Director at Enterprise Ireland, and Geraldine McLoughlin from the Western Development Commission Investment Fund.