Succeed in Longford
Longford - One of the best performing towns in Ireland
Longford Business Success Stories
Longford is a bustling dynamic County, located in the heart of Ireland and growing in prominence and reputation as a great place to operate a business. It has a strong and confident indigenous business sector. Its central location in Ireland has helped to attract some key employers to the region. Those businesses have access to a highly skilled and educated workforce, a relatively lower cost base and a strong logistical support infrastructure to help them get goods to markets across Europe
Some of the key businesses in Longford include:
Harp Media wins top prize at County Longford Enterprise Awards 2024
LEO Longford client business will represent Longford at National Enterprise Awards
Press Release
Harp Media took the top prize at the 2024 County Longford Enterprise Awards. The awards ceremony took place last week (Thursday, 7 March) as part of a busy lineup of events for Local Enterprise Week, organised by the Local Enterprise Office, Longford.
A Granard-based film production company, Harp Media was founded in 2018 by award-winning duo Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney. The company specialises in short and feature-length films, factual TV programming, corporate videos and filmmaking training initiatives. Notable successes include their debut feature film "Lakelands," which gained worldwide acclaim, showing in Santa Barbara in California, across the UK, Europe and the USA, before finishing with a tour of five cities in Australia. Overall, the film exceeded all expectations garnering global recognition and nominations for four IFTA awards.
Harp Media will now go on to represent Longford at the National Enterprise Awards taking place in the Mansion House in Dublin on 23 May 2024.
Other winners at County Longford Enterprise Awards include:
- Thermwall: Founded in 2023 by brothers Guram and Bisek Baisonashvili, Thermwall Ireland specialises in manufacturing customised insulation solutions from upcycled polystyrene Styrofoam beads.
- Fabiani: Founded by Louise Brennan over a decade ago, Fabiani is a renowned women's designer clothing and footwear store, offering curated fashion from top global brands and featuring a coffee shop and beauty studio.
- Larkin Windows: Established in 1992 by Brendan Larkin, Larkin Windows is a leading supplier of premium aluminium and uPVC doors, windows and more located at Ballinamuck, Co Longford.
- Wilder & Gold: Established in 2018 by Marie O’Dowd, Wilder & Gold in Ballymahon, Co Longford, is an independent lifestyle store and deli offering a diverse range of homewares, gift items and locally sourced deli products.
- Hugh Quinn: Winner of the ‘Spirit of Longford’ award. The Quinn family have operated Quinn Supply Stores in Edgeworthstown for five generations with the business now under the helm of Hugh Quinn. Alongside running this well-established business, Hugh has also played a pivotal role in the community development of Edgeworthstown over the years, serving as a Director of Edgeworthstown District Development Association and Edgeworthstown Trader’s Association. He has consistently shown his dedication to both business and the betterment of the local community.
Overall Longford winners, Harp Media will now be competing against 30 other finalists from every other local authority for a share of the €35,000 winner’s prize fund as national judging gets underway in April. In addition to eight regional awards, national categories include ‘Best Export Business,’ ‘Best Start-Up’, ‘Innovation’, ‘One to Watch’ and the ‘Sustainability’ award.
Among the special guests at the County Longford Enterprise Awards were Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh, Longford Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Martin Monaghan, Ballymahon Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Ross, and Senator Micheál Carrigy.
Longford County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh commented on the day, “The County Longford Enterprise Awards is an opportunity to showcase the great businesses we have in our county. I congratulate all the winners, particularly Harp Media, a great creative local business that is putting Longford on the map globally. I wish them every success when they represent County Longford at the national finals in Dublin in May.”
Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, “The quality of entries that get involved in our Enterprise Awards, year after year, are a fine demonstration of the vibrant economy here in county Longford, congratulations to all.”
Speaking at the event, Longford County Council Head of Enterprise Michael Nevin said, “Local Enterprise Office, Longford has been delighted to support Harp Media from their days as a start-up film production company. Longford has a strong record of supporting creative businesses and we’re now looking forward to seeing those businesses continue to shine at national and indeed international level.”
The County Longford Enterprise Awards took place as part of Local Enterprise Week which saw over 300 events taking place across the country. These included business training to help entrepreneurs, start-ups and expanding businesses among others.
Local Enterprise Week is organised by Local Enterprise Offices, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, local authorities, including Longford County Council and the Government of Ireland.
For further information, check out LocalEnterpgrrise.ie/Longford or follow Local Enterprise Office, Longford on social media.
ENDS
All media queries should be directed to the Longford County Council Communications Officer via mediaenquiries@longfordcoco.ie or by calling 043 33 43362.
Photo credits to Clare Frances Photography
Start-Up Your Business in Longford
Longford provides an excellent location for Start-Ups, as evidenced by our Start Up Story on Lir Analytical, an indigenous Bio-Security Business working within the Food Processing Sector. Lir Analytical, spotting a gap in the food manufacturing industry, worked with their Local Enterprise Office in Longford to get the financial help and practical advice and mentoring needed to get set up and grow in Longford.
Click here to learn more about Lir Analytical and their Longford Start-Up Story
Innovative Green Companies and Sustainable Property Solutions in Longford
Longford County Council is committed to support the Climate Change Agenda and are delighted to see the emergence of responsible, dedicated green companies who are sympathetic to the environment and determined to make a positive difference.
Also off-site construction is becoming increasingly popular and the attached Longford firms are an important part of the solution to this method of construction. Included below are a sample of companies that are leaders or potential leaders in their field in Ireland.
Green Companies - Longford Sustainable Property Solutions-Longford
LONGFORD COMPANY WINS AT NATIONAL ENTERPRISE AWARDS
CIRTEX Ltd who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Longford, were winners at this year’s National Enterprise Awards. The awards, which took place at the Mansion House in Dublin, are in their 23rd year and run annually by the Local Enterprise Offices.
CIRTEX Ltd is a manufacturing company that has created a closed-loop manufacturing business that upcycles the materials from duvets and mattresses, most of which are imported, to be reused in new products, took home the Green/Sustainability award.
This award recognises companies who have incorporated sustainable practices into the day-to-day running of their business, to improve resource efficiency and direct cost savings, getting better access to customers who are increasingly demanding more environmentally friendly products and services.
Michael Nevin of the Local Enterprise Office said that he was delighted that Cirtex was recognized on the night and it was a just reward for the two promoters who had seen opportunity in recycling and gone to great lengths designing and installing a production line that allows for the upcycling of very large volumes of waste fabric.
Paddy Mahon Chief Executive of Longford County Council, expressed his delight at the companies win and said it was great to have a Longford Company supporting our efforts to address the Climate Change Agenda. He added that the Circular Economy is set to become a cornerstone of business and community life in the near future and that Cirtex are pioneers in this space which should give them competitive advantage.
Congratulations to CIRTEX from all the team at LEO Longford!
NIGERIA IRELAND TRADE & INVESTMENT SUMMIT
Pictured at the Nigeria Ireland Trade & Investment Summit in Dublin which held on Friday 1st July are: Michael Nevin - Head of Enterprise, Cllr Ureumu Adejinmi, Aliyu Adu - President Irish Nigerian Business Alliance & John McDermott - Midland Engineering Profiles Ltd
Free ONLINE Information Session - Green For Micro
The Local Enterprise Office Longford is delighted to be hosting a Free ONLINE Information Session where you can learn all the benefits and tips of 'Greening' your business on Tuesday 19th July at 3pm.
Click here to book https://bit.ly/3urbgue
Green for Micro is a FREE programme that helps small businesses take the first step towards becoming more sustainable, giving you access to a green consultant who’ll show you the small changes that can have a big impact on your company - and the world around you.
Green for RETAIL: Free Online Information Session for Longford Retailers
Is your RETAIL business located in Co. Longford? Do you need some expert advise on:
• Cost Savings
• Resource Efficiency
• Reduced Carbon Footprint
• Improved Corporate Image
If the answer is Yes, then register for the FREE Online Information session on 19th July from 3pm - 4pm. Get booked in at
https://bit.ly/3urbgueOur Rural Future - Streetscape Enhancement Measure 2022
Owners of commercial, residential or unoccupied buildings in Granard can now apply for Streetscape Enhancement Measure 2022 funding. Applications close 23 Sept 2022!
