Network Ireland, the dynamic business organisation which advocates for Female entrepreneurs and women in business across Ireland in 17 branches with 1,500 active members will host its annual Conference in the brand new Dexcom Stadium and Conference Venue in Galway City followed by the Businesswoman of the Year awards in the Galmont Hotel and Spa on Friday 18th of September 2026. Find out more here...
Network Ireland National President Karen Ronan, CEO of Galway Chamber, announced details of the powerful Business Women’s Conference and Awards at a reception in the Blackrock Cottage in Salthill and tickets go on sale on Friday 10th of July 2026.
The 2026 Network Ireland Conference will feature a host of high-profile speakers including a Key Note fire side discussion with Laura Dowling, the Fabulous Pharmacist. An award winning business woman who’s renowned for the recognition she’s brings to women’s health and wellbeing while building an award-winning brand and business is certain to inspire Network Ireland members.
Join experts from AIB, Enterprise Ireland and a host of speakers including Mary Rodgers, of PorterShed Galway, Geraldine Jones of Skin Formulas, Author Michele Roys and Denise O’Brien with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Julie Burke will MC the Network Ireland Conference. General Manager of DampMaster, a nationwide company with offices across Ireland and the UK, Julie is an award-winning speaker and mentor who empowers women in business, and proves that you don't have to be just one thing, as in her spare time, she is a comedian, better known online as Julesrulesirl, she has taken the digital world by storm with her relatable Irish Mammy comedy.
Network Ireland is a voice and support for Female Start Ups, Entrepreneurs and Women in Business across Ireland. Elevating women in business and their careers, Network Ireland drives both professional and personal development in women and the annual conference brings together a wide range of subjects and topics delivered by high profile and experienced female entrepreneurs who share their values and knowledge and further elevate the growth of women led businesses and brands across rural and urban communities.
AIB is Network Ireland’s Official Partner for close to 15 years, and has seen the growth in the organisation during that time. "AIB is proud to support Network Ireland’s National Conference and Awards. The conference will bring together hundreds of women business leaders who are ambitious, talented and a driving force in the Irish economy. Every day we in AIB see the extraordinary achievements of our female fronted business customers and we look forward to continuing the development of women in business in Ireland through our ongoing collaboration with Network Ireland," said Geraldine Casey, Managing Director, Retail Banking, AIB.
Also supporting the Network Ireland Conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards is Enterprise Ireland, Sarah Walker, Senior Executive said; "Enterprise Ireland is proud to support the Network Ireland Conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026, which continues to provide an important platform for celebrating the achievements of women entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators across Ireland,” Sarah Walker went onto say, “Through its strong national network, Network Ireland plays a vital role in fostering ambition, leadership and collaboration among women in business. We look forward to joining members from across the country in Galway this September to celebrate excellence, champion entrepreneurship and support the continued growth of women-led businesses."
Galway City Council and Galway Local Enterprise Office are also supporters of Network Ireland and very much welcome this prestigious conference coming to Galway City this Autumn.
"Network Ireland is a wonderful collective of passionate, powerful and creative business women," says Karen Ronan, Network Ireland President and CEO of Galway Chamber. "Collectively, Network Ireland across all 17 branches is a voice for women in business and their careers and we use our conference to support all women in our society. I look forward to welcoming over 500 Network Ireland members to Galway City for our annual conference when we will network, share business and life experiences while learning and further strategizing the future of female led entrepreneurship and the continued growth of women in business across Ireland."
This year, Network Ireland will also deliver its first pre-Budget submission to Government to support its members in their careers, women in start-ups and business scaling.
Immediately following the successful Network Ireland Conference in the Dexcom Stadium, the Network Ireland, Businesswoman of the Year awards will take place in the renowned Galmont Hotel and Spa. After receiving just shy of 600 applications, 100 finalists will compete in 8 categories to win the coveted awards.
MC on the night is Galway Businesswoman, TG4 Rugbaí Beo Presenter and former Network Galway Branch President, Gemma Ní Chionnaith.
Following a rigorous judging process across all 17 Network Ireland branches, the finalists of the Businesswoman of the Year will be announced at this prestigious black-tie event in September.
Tickets for the Network Ireland Conference and Businesswoman of the Year Awards are now on sale HERE.
For all the latest news from Network Ireland, check out networkireland.ie or follow @networkireland across social media platforms.
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