'Keeping you safe' wristband initiative returns to National Ploughing Championships
Maureen O’Meara, Tomás Ó Midheach and Carolyn O’Hara from FBD with NPA managing director, Anna May McHugh and local children at the launch of the popular FBD: Keeping You Safe wristbands initiative for the National Ploughing Championships. Photo: Alf Harvey
The 'Keeping You Safe' child safety wristband project will be an important feature again at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, which will take place in Raheniska, Co Laois on September 17, 18 and 19.
Over 40,000 of the safety wristbands will be handed out at all of the event entrances, which will allow for a contact phone number to be written on the band in case the wearer wanders off amidst the large gathering.
NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said: “We are delighted to be partnering up with FBD again on this excellent safety concept as all can now rest assured that loved ones will be returned safely in case they wander away in the crowds that visit Ploughing.
"With a huge number of attendees expected over the course of the three days these wristbands give reassurance and great peace-of-mind to all at the event and add immensely to visitor enjoyment experience."
"A day at ploughing is a brilliant family day with something of interest for all ages and tastes, and children are particularly well catered for with a playground, baby changing areas, fun fair, pony games, sporting heroes, TV stars, sweet and toy stands and much more,” she added.
Over 30 small businesses from across the country will get the opportunity to showcase themselves to almost 300,000 visitors at the Ploughing Championships.
The Local Enterprise Village, an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, will be located at the heart of this year’s event. It will showcase the best of Irish entrepreneurship, featuring small businesses selling everything from Mexican salsa and chemical free fertilisers to high end fashion designers and sensory-friendly clothing.
With some of the biggest companies in Ireland taking up residence at the Ploughing every year, the Local Enterprise Village continues to be a popular destination on the site for those looking to pick up something unique to bring home from some of the best small businesses in Ireland.
A selection of businesses from across the country helped launch the Local Enterprise Village for 2024 at Airfield Estate in Dublin recently. These included Leah Cleary of Fore Distillery, Dublin fashion designer Jennifer Rothwell, Anouk O’Connell of natural wool company Olanmor, Joanne Doyle of Enchanted Castle Melts in Carlow and Mildred Tang of canvas tote company Chic Tote.
Kieran Comerford, Local Enterprise Offices and Head of the Local Enterprise Village, said: “This is an opportunity like no other for a small business in Ireland. The opportunity to bring their ideas and products to almost 300,000 potential customers is a showcase like no other. The Local Enterprise Village has become one of those areas everyone wants to drop into to find their local business and see what they can pick up.
"There is a huge variety of businesses highlighting the depth of sectors that the Local Enterprise Offices support from manufacturing to food and beverage, to software solutions. Whatever you are interested in there is something for everyone at the Local Enterprise Village.”
