Broadcaster and entrepreneur Norah Casey has called for stronger supports and incentives to help businesses establish and scale outside of Dublin, warning that Ireland risks missing out on “massive, untapped potential” along the Western Corridor.
Speaking ahead of a major business gathering in Leitrim next week, Casey said regional development must be backed by investment, infrastructure and targeted assistance for local enterprises.
“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,” she said.
Casey will host Powering Up – Scaling for Impact, an event organised by Carrick Business Campus Advisory Group and Leitrim County Council, on Friday, October 3.
The conference will bring together senior business leaders for talks and panel discussions on scaling Irish enterprises for international markets.
The gathering comes just days before Budget 2026, which is expected to outline new measures for businesses amid ongoing debates around VAT for hospitality, minimum wage changes and pension auto-enrolment.
Casey, an advisory board member of Carrick Business Campus whose mother hails from Leitrim, pointed to success stories such as Pat Rigney’s Shed Distillery as proof that rural Ireland can compete globally with the right supports.
“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,” she said.
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, will deliver the opening remarks.
Speakers will include leaders from technology, science, and food and drink.
Panel discussions will feature Pat Rigney (The Shed Distillery), Karen May (Xocean), Colm Hamrogue (Atlantic Aviation Group), Paula Fitzsimons (Going for Growth), Méabh Conaghan (Enterprise Ireland) and Geraldine McLoughlin (Western Development Commission Investment Fund).
Casey said the event is designed to offer practical insights: “When you want to know how to get somewhere, what better way than to ask someone who is already there.”
