A bold Christmas celebration
Ninety members of the Cavan Women in Business Network (CWBN), an initiative of Local Enterprise Office Cavan, came together earlier this month for their annual Christmas Celebration & Member Fair at the Farnham Estate Golf & Spa Resort.
With the theme ‘Bold & Ambitious Moves for a Brighter 2026: Strategy, Sales & Success’, the event blended inspiration, learning, and festive cheer as local businesswomen marked the end of another successful year.
The evening featured an uplifting keynote address from Ruth Larkin, Managing Director of Lark Bridal and Founder of Larkin Consultancy Services.
A multi-award-winning entrepreneur and mentor, Ruth shared powerful insights on scaling internationally, driving sales, and building resilience, encouraging attendees to make bold strategic moves in 2026.
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A huge turn out for the annual Cavan Women in Business Christmas networking event and fair, which took place at Farnham Estate. Pictured to the front are Annette Donnelly, LEO Cavan; Fiona Wier, LEO Cavan; Susan Leonard, LEO Cavan Business Advisor; guest speaker Ruth Larkin, Lark Bridal; LEO Senior Enterprise Development Officer Gillian Madden and Margaret McKeon-Boyle, Extensive PR and Coordinator of the Cavan Women in Business Network.8PHOTOS: SHEILA ROONEY SHEILA MARIE ROONEYImage 2 of 5
Ruth Larkin, Lark Bridal, keynote speaker, is pictured with Susan Leonard, Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office Cavan; Gillian Madden, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Local Enterprise Office Cavan and Margaret McKeon Boyle, event co-ordinator. SHEILA MARIE ROONEYImage 3 of 5
Sandra Coote, Crafts of Ireland; Ruth Larkin, Lark Bridal, keynote speaker; Gillian Madden, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Local Enterprise Office Cavan; Susan Leonard, Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office Cavan, and Sheila O’Keeffe, O’Keeffe Recruitment. SHEILA MARIE ROONEYImage 4 of 5
Ann Conway and Therese Conway from Conway Concrete. SHEILA MARIE ROONEYImage 5 of 5
Christine O’Connell, Helen King and Breda McHugh, all Compliplus; Eilish Cunnliffe, Valerie Armstrong, Valerie’s Clothes Care and Grace Brady. SHEILA MARIE ROONEYA vibrant Christmas Fair showcased the creativity and talent of the network, with 12 exhibitors presenting handcrafted gifts, artwork, jewellery, wellbeing products, artisan foods, and more.
The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by live performances from The Mistletoe Sisters, whose harmonies added warmth and Christmas spirit throughout the evening.
Speaking at the event, Gillian Madden, Senior Enterprise Development Officer at Local Enterprise Office Cavan, said: “The Cavan Women in Business Network continues to be a thriving, supportive community where local businesswomen can connect, learn, and grow.
Since its launch in 2013, we have proudly championed female entrepreneurship across the county.
This event celebrates the creativity, resilience, and ambition of our members — and the remarkable contribution they make to Cavan’s business landscape.”
The evening was hosted by MC Margaret McKeon-Boyle, Coordinator of CWBN, and concluded with networking over a festive buffet dinner.
The event celebrated a vibrant community of female entrepreneurs and the strong spirit of collaboration and enterprise across County Cavan.