East Wicklow Business Network

03/09/2026

SOLD OUT – EWBN Business Breakfast this Friday is full.

We’re delighted to say that this Friday’s EWBN Business Breakfast with Tánaiste Simon Harris is now fully booked.

With a very strong turnout expected, a few practical notes for those attending:

* Please arrive early to allow time for parking and registration.
* With the number of people attending, parking at the rear of The GRID is likely to be the best option.
* If you’re not already an EWBN member, we’d encourage you to join the network so you hear about upcoming events early and avoid missing out on future events.

And a reminder that our regular Second Tuesday Breakfast Coffee is back next Tuesday at 8.30am at Spendloves. Put that in your diary now and just show up.

It’s a relaxed, informal way to meet other local business owners, catch up with familiar faces and make new connections.

Thanks for the fantastic response to Friday’s event - we’re looking forward to a great morning.

Thanks to our sponsors Core Credit Union Greystones & District who are sponsoring this event.

02/09/2026

FINAL CALL – EWBN Business Breakfast with Tánaiste Simon Harris

With Budget 2027 just over a month away, this Friday’s EWBN Business Breakfast comes at a particularly timely moment for local businesses.

In just the past week, the Government has been responding to renewed pressure around the cost of doing business, energy costs, fuel excise and competitiveness, while the Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that the planned Budget package may be larger than the economy currently needs.

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris TD has also signalled that changes to the point at which workers enter the 40% tax band are being considered for Budget 2027, with a €1.5 billion tax package earmarked for October.

So it’s a particularly good time to hear directly from the Minister for Finance and to have the opportunity to put your own questions to him about the issues affecting your business.

We’ll also hear from:

Michael Byrne, CEO of Core Credit Union, with an update on Core’s expansion in Wicklow and the growing supports available to local people and businesses.

Marie-Louise Marshall, with a short leadership perspective on why “Leadership is not just a title” and the move towards more human-centred, purpose-driven leadership.

Have a question? Post it here and we will give it to the Tánaiste.

If you haven’t booked yet, this is the final call.

📅 Friday, 4 September
📍 The GRID, Charlesland, Greystones
⏰ Doors open 8.30am
🎟️ Free to attend

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/business-breakfast-briefing-tanaiste-simon-harris-tickets-1997838932026

Core Credit Union Greystones & District

28/08/2026

We’re delighted to announce an additional speaker joining our East Wicklow Business Network Breakfast Briefing on Friday, 4 September.

Alongside Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris TD, and Michael Byrne, CEO of Core Credit Union we’ll now also hear from:

Marie-Louise Marshall
Leadership specialist Marie-Louise Marshall will explore how "Leadership is not just a title!". She will touch on what she describes as a leadership revolution - a shift towards more human-centric, purpose-driven leadership, where self-awareness, relationships, empowerment and influence matter more than authority. Marie-Louise’s contribution comes ahead of her Leadership Elevation Programme on 22 September 2026.

It culminates in a very strong national and local perspective on both national and local topics and promises to be a highly relevant morning for the Wicklow business community.

📍 The GRID, Charlesland, Greystones
📅 Friday, 4 September 2026
⏰ 8.30am

The event is free to attend, but advance registration is required.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/business-breakfast-briefing-tanaiste-simon-harris-tickets-1997838932026

Simon Harris TD Louise Fenelon Gaskin Feargal McKenna Mark Atkins Paul Mc Knight Derek Byrne Elaine Harding Greystones.ie

Join us at the Business Breakfast Briefing Event. Connect with local businesses and access valuable training resources.

20/08/2026

Some more Wicklow Business Success! One of County Wicklow’s best-known family businesses has reached a major milestone, with Arklow-based Glenhaven Foods set to be acquired in a deal valued at €127 million.

Founded by the Cahill family in 1986, Glenhaven Foods has grown over four decades from a family enterprise into a significant food manufacturer, specialising in frozen breaded chicken products and employing approximately 190 people.

The proposed buyer is Swedish food group Scandi Standard, which already has a major Irish presence through Manor Farm. The acquisition would bring Glenhaven into a wider European food group with operations across Ireland and several Nordic and European markets.

The proposed transaction has now entered the Irish competition review process and while the deal remains subject to regulatory clearance before completion, for the Wicklow business community, the transaction is another strong example of the calibre of businesses that can be built and scaled from within the county.

Glenhaven was established 40 years ago by David and Evanne Cahill, with the next generation, Barry and Emma Cahill, subsequently taking leadership roles in the company. Barry Cahill, CEO and co-owner, has credited Glenhaven’s success to its employees, its focus on quality and the long-standing customer relationships developed over many years.

The company has said that joining Scandi Standard would provide the scale and resources needed for its next stage of growth, while retaining the family-business values that have underpinned Glenhaven’s development.
For Scandi Standard and Manor Farm, the acquisition would strengthen their position in value-added and ready-to-eat poultry products across Ireland and the UK.

EWBN congratulates the Cahill family and the entire Glenhaven Foods team on building one of Wicklow’s standout business success stories and wishes them every success as the company enters its next chapter.

If you'd like to learn more about the finance that is available to turn your business into tomorrows Glenhaven Foods then join us with special guest Simon Harris on the 4th September at the GRID Enterprise centre in Greystones.

Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/business-breakfast-briefing-tanaiste-simon-harris-tickets-1997838932026

13/08/2026

At the East Wicklow Business Network, one of our key objectives is to provide real value to our members and to represent the interests of businesses across Wicklow.

That means more than networking. We want to create opportunities for local business owners and leaders to engage with decision-makers, hear from highly experienced professional speakers, raise the issues affecting their businesses and better understand the economic and policy environment ahead.

Our next Business Breakfast Briefing is a great example of that.

On Friday 4 September, we are delighted to welcome Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris to The GRID in Greystones. The timing makes this a particularly interesting morning for the Wicklow business community as it comes just over a month before Budget 2027, at a point when the broad parameters have been set and discussion is intensifying around taxation, the cost of doing business, rewarding work, investment in infrastructure and the measures needed to support Ireland's economy and businesses in the year ahead.

Let's be clear - this is not a Budget preview - but we will have an opportunity to hear directly from the Minister for Finance at an important point in the economic calendar, and to bring the voice and concerns of Wicklow businesses into that conversation.

Simon will be joined by Michael Byrne, CEO of CORE Credit Union, who will discuss the expanding role credit unions can now play in supporting local businesses and the financial solutions available to SMEs.

As always there will be plenty of opportunity to meet and connect with business owners and professionals from across Wicklow.

Friday 4th September
The GRID, Charlesland, Greystones, A63 T9K1
Networking, tea and coffee from 8.30am
Speakers from 9.00am

Places are limited and we expect a full house, so early booking is recommended. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/business-breakfast-briefing-tanaiste-simon-harris-tickets-1997838932026?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Join us at the Business Breakfast Briefing Event. Connect with local businesses and access valuable training resources.

13/07/2026

As R.E.M. once put it… "Should we talk about the weather?"

We probably will! But most importantly? There's you. Your business. The wins worth celebrating. The challenges worth sharing. The kind of honest, energising conversations that only happen over a proper cup of coffee with people who get it.

So seeing as it's Bastille Day, we are going to storm Spendloves and enjoy Liberté, égalité… caffé latte. ☕

No agenda. No pressure. No pitch. Just excellent conversations and exceptional coffee.

🗓️ Tuesday 14 July ⏰ 08.30 – 9.15am 📍Spendlove Coffee & Ice cream

Just show up. We'll get the coffee on. 👊



Mark Atkins Louise Fenelon Gaskin Cllr Louise Fenelon Gaskin Paul Mc Knight Feargal McKenna Derek Byrne Elaine Harding Farzana Maudarbaccus

10/07/2026

Following the fantastic success of our Summer BBQ (what a night!), we're looking forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming some new ones at the next EWBN Second Tuesday Club.

Join us at Spendloves Coffee House on Tuesday 14th July from 8:30am–9:15am for coffee, conversation and connections with fellow East Wicklow business owners and professionals.

Whether you're a long-standing member, new to the network, or simply curious to learn more about EWBN, you'll be made very welcome.

📍 Spendloves Coffee House
📅 Tuesday 14th July
⏰ 8:30am – 9:15am

See you there.

29/06/2026

What a fantastic evening at the EWBN Summer BBQ! ☀️🍔🍷

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday evening at Greystones Lawn Tennis Club for our business networking open night.

With the sun shining, the BBQ sizzling and the terrace buzzing with conversation, it was one of those evenings that perfectly captured what the East Wicklow Business Network is all about which is bringing great people together, building relationships and supporting local business in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces alongside new members and first-time visitors. The energy, conversations and connections throughout the evening were a reminder that some of the most valuable business opportunities begin with a simple conversation.

A special thank you to our sponsors, Amorys Solicitors for their support, and to everyone who helped make the event such a success.

The feedback has been incredibly positive, and judging by the conversations still taking place long after the BBQ had finished, plenty of new connections were made.

If you joined us, thank you for being part of it. If you couldn't make it this time, we look forward to welcoming you to the next EWBN event.

We have some exciting things we are working on for our members. If you would like to join the network you can visit www.wicklowbusiness.ie.

Here's to a great summer and an even stronger local business community.

23/06/2026

🌞 The countdown is on for Friday night...

The East Wicklow Business Network Summer BBQ comes to Greystones Lawn Tennis Club, and we're looking forward to welcoming a fantastic mix of local business owners, professionals and members from across the region.

The weather forecast is looking promising, the BBQ is booked, and we're nearly at capacity.

If you've been thinking about coming along but haven't registered yet, now is the time. Registration closes tomorrow as we finalise catering numbers.

Everyone who has already registered is coming for the same reason - to meet people, make connections, share ideas and hear about other local businesses. Whether you're looking for new clients, trusted suppliers, collaborations or simply to expand your network, this is a great opportunity to do it in a relaxed and informal setting.

It's well worth dropping in – even if you can only stay for an hour. One conversation could lead to a new opportunity, referral or business relationship.

📅 Friday 26th June
🕢 From 7:30pm
📍 Greystones Lawn Tennis Club

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/wicklow-business-summer-bbq-open-night-tickets-1986038321081

Don't miss out – we'd love to see you there.

19/06/2026

It's just one week to go until businesses from East Wicklow's come together for the Summer BBQ open evening! Expect a perfect evening with 21°c forecast for next Friday.

Great food, great company, and tickets still available. Don’t miss out on the best networking night of the summer. Grab yours now!

Join us for an evening of great conversations, new connections, BBQ food and summer networking at the EWBN Summer BBQ Open Night.

📅 Friday 26th June
📍 Greystones Lawn Tennis Club
🕢 From 7:30pm

There are still a limited number of places available, so if you've been meaning to book, now's the time.

Looking forward to seeing members, local businesses and new faces for what promises to be a fantastic summer evening.
🎟️ Book your place now: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/wicklow-business-summer-bbq-open-night-tickets-1986038321081