Laois Partnership was formed in 2008 to offer one unified structure for the delivery of  economic, social and cultural services to small businesses, community groups and individuals in County Laois.  This work is largely delivered through: The Rural Development Programme (previously LEADER), the  Local Community Development Programme (previously LDSIP), as well as a number of other complementary programmes.

Laois Partnership is seeking quotations from facilitators qualified to deliver the Ageing with Confidence Programme. This programme will be delivered in three locations in 2012: Abbeyleix, Mountrath and Portlaoise.

If you are interested in quoting for this work, please forward the following information to orlaomeara@laoispartnership.ie

• Quotation – to co-facilitate a twenty hour Ageing with Confidence Programme, inclusive of travel and vat in Abbeyleix or Mountrath or Portlaoise. Please specify location(s) for which you are quoting
• Resumé, outlining your skills set, your areas of expertise and your qualifications
• Current tax clearance certificate

The brand MidlandsIreland.ie is promoted through a dedicated website, facebook, twitter, and through organisations such as, Chambers of Commerce, Business Forums, Local Authorities and local businesses. The strategic goal is to develop and market a distinctly unique image and identity for the region that will attract investment and economic activity to the region as well as strengthening and sustaining rural communities in order to complement urban centres, and contribute to the distinct identity of the region.

MidlandsIreland.ie will be officially launched in Laois at a function in the Heritage Hotel on Thursday, January 26^th, 2012 at 7pm.

As part of the launch, local businesses will be give the opportunity to showcase their products. If you have available work / produce which you would be interested in exhibiting at the launch please email Sarah Morgan (smorgan@midlands.ie).

When replying to Sarah it would be helpful if you could:

• attach an image of the work you propose / description of produce,
• detail the dimensions / area you require for display,
• In the case of food producers, please note that the hotel may request you to produce a copy of your insurance indemnity.

Hear about new business opportunities in the area

See nationwide case studies of businesses from around the country that have successfully applied for Rural Development (LEADER) Funding

Laois Partnership staff will be on hand to discuss eligibility of potential projects

You will also have an opportunity to hear about/ sign up for our new initiative to provide free specialist support to assist with the preparation of your business plan.

THIS IS A MUST FOR ANYONE WITH A NEW BUSINESS IDEA IN LAOIS – NOTE THAT THIS MEETING WILL FOCUS ON DIVERSIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS.

AN ADDITIONAL MEETING FOCUSING ON GENERAL RURAL BUSINESS STARTUPS WILL FOLLOW SOON.

Wednesday 25^th January at 08:00pm

Killeshin Hotel, Dublin Road, Portlaoise

Contact Laois Partnership (057 8661900) to book a place.

www.laoispartnership.ie

Jimmy and Bernadine Mulhall of Coolanowle Country House – Ballickmoyler, Co Laois have added to their already impressive list of awards by winning the Georgina Campbell Farmhouse of the year award for 2012.

Jimmy and Bernadine have worked with Laois Partnership (Laois LEADER) over the years to diversify their farm and to develop the Coolanowle Organic Brand.

Coolanowle Country House combines an organic farm, B&B (with hotel-standard rooms – and self catering accommodation ), meals based on their own meats, fruit and vegetables, online produce sales and holistic treatments.

A recent  addition to the wider farm enterprise is a farm shop which opened in late 2010. The farm shop is, in many ways, the final piece in the jigsaw and Coolanowle Organics is now able to offer quality assurance through all stages of the life cycle of their products; literally from farm to fork.

To view a short video clip telling the story of Coolanowle’s relationship with Laois Partnership, click here……

Downtown Portlaoise was set up to represent, organise, promote and market the Retail & Associated Trade in Portlaoise town centre.  Laois Partnership has provided funding to support this initiative.

Please support them by shopping local.

To follow Downtown Portlaoise on Facebook, click here….

Are you unemployed and would like to start a small business but don’t know how to get started?

LAOIS PARTNERSHIP COMPANY in conjunction with FÁS & the Department of Social  Protection  is  providing a 24 Week Start Your Own Business Training Programme for the unemployed.

This programme offers practical training, coaching and mentoring for participants. Upon completion you will have developed a business plan, established a network and a clear understanding of what is involved in undertaking your venture. This is a 24 week programme.

The following will be covered:-

• Business  Planning & Marketing

• Financial Planning & HR for small businesses

• Social Media & Health & Safety for small businesses

For information on this programme please call Michelle Tierney on 087 3723459.

The course will commence in January 2011.

To download our flyer, click here……

DEDICATION: An Exhibition of four of Ireland's finest Craft makers in Abbeyleix Library

Laois Year of Craft present a unique opportunity to hear the four craft makers from the wonderful craft exhibition,  Dedication, at Abbeyleix library talk about their craft. In a facilitated discussion David Comerford (Wood Turner), Maeve Coulter (textile artist), Helena Malone(Jeweller) and Edyta Syzmanska (Ceramicist) will talk about their career, work process and aesthetic.

A last chance to see the exhibition and engage with the exhibitors and their work.

Facilitated by freelance arts and crafts consultant Cornelia McCarthy, Meet the Makers promises to be an insightful, engaging and educational morning.

To Download our brochure detailing other events over  the autumn/ winter, click here…….

More Information on the Exhibitors:
DAVID COMERFORD
From Kilkenny and working since 1987 David is a self-taught wood artist, who works mainly with native and naturalised Irish timbers. His work comprises of both functional ware such as salad bowls and platters and one-off gallery pieces. David’s gallery pieces have a great sense of antiquity and ceremony. He decorates each piece with his own unique texturing which he has developed over the years to help him achieve the desired effect and atmosphere. www.davidcomerford.net

MAEVE COULTER (work pictured above)
Maeve Coulter trained as a printmaker and textile artist in the Limerick School of Art and Design. She works in both disciplines often combining print with fabric and stitching. Her recent work references the tradition of quilt making; of re-using fabrics from our everyday lives to create something new. She explores the notion of domesticity and home-making, our sense of identity and belonging. www.maevecoulter.com

HELENA MALONE
Laois native Helena is an innovative designer and maker of precious jewellery. Helena changed career from a finance and literature background in 2003 and trained in traditional Jewelley skills in Kilkenny. Helena creates and displays collections from her public studio in the centre of Portlaoise. As a goldsmith she works in all precious metals, unusual stones and pearls and promotes the recycling and re-using of a clients existing jewellery. www.helenamalone.ie

EDYTA SZYMANSKA
Working mainly with clay, sculptress Edyta Szymanska creates both small figurative pieces and large scale art. Her work is concerned with the human figure, interpreted through colour, texture and form, using the figure as the vehicle through which to express beauty, line and grace. Her medium is principally clay and, more recently, steel.
www.artsculpture.eu

The Start and Grow Enterprise Expo is a one-day Expo aimed at potential and new entrepreneurs along with established business people keen to either start or grow their business. It offers to all the opportunity to:

• attend a number of one-hour seminars – Start, Grow & Market Opportunity seminars.
• receive one-to-one mentoring.
• access 30+ exhibiting organisations (public & private) that support start-ups & established businesses.
• explore an Ideas Zone – where people can come to get new ideas for their business.

Who should attend?

The Start and Grow Enterprise Expo is the perfect opportunity for potential entrepreneurs and existing business people and companies that are seeking information, inspiration, encouragement and support in starting or growing a business.  The Expo will provide opportunities to hear and learn from industry leaders, experienced business people and for entrepreneurs to review and discuss alternative and pioneering ways of developing a business.

Programme

• 9.30-10.30am: Keynote Address by Denis O’Brien, Chairman of Digicel and Serial Entrepreneur.
• 11-12 noon: Start Seminar: All a person needs to know from finding the right idea to the ins and outs of starting a company.
• 2-3pm:Grow Seminar: An opportunity to hear how to successfully navigate change to ensure survival and prosperity in the current economic climate.
• 4-5pm: Market Opportunities Seminar: An invaluable resource for anyone seeking to develop new markets.
  

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• 10.30am-7pm: Start and Grow Exhibition: An opportunity to meet over 30 public & private organisations that support entrepreneurs to start or grow a business.
• 10.30am-7pm: Ideas Zone: To help entrepreneurs identify or evaluate new ideas and bring them from dream to commercial reality.
• 10.30m-5pm: Mentoring: Free (pre-booked) 1-to-1 business mentoring which will give attendees the chance to ask an expert, in private, specific questions relating to their existing or future business.

For full and up-to date detail of the Expo, click here…….

Peter Young of the Farmers Journal will be facilitating the evening workshop and will be on hand to offer his expert advice on farm diversification opportunities.

Agri-Diversification Workshop -  Mon 3rd October, 7:30-9:30pm – Portarlington Community Centre

For more information call: 057 8645728

To Download brochure click here……….

The programme includes exhibitions of work from some of the finest craft makers in the country, demonstrations
from master crafts people, talks, documentary showings, workshops, training and a very special dedicated exhibition of young people’s craft work.

We have aimed to show you craft in its many wonderful forms and we hope that you will be enthralled by the sheer excellence and quality of all the craft makers involved in this exciting and invigorating programme.

To Download the new brochure, click here…….

To get more detail on our forthcoming Business Development Course:  Setting up a Craft Based Business  – click here…..