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26 Mar 2026

Dragons’ Den star addresses Female Entrepreneurs Conference in Dundalk

Keynote speaker was Sara Davies founder and owner of Crafter’s Companion

Dragons’ Den star addresses Female Entrepreneurs Conference in Dundalk

Pictured L-R are event host Caroline O Neill, Alyson Hogg, founder and CEO of Vita Liberata, Sara Davies and Women in Business Managing Director Lorraine Acheson.

Reporter:

Jason Newman

12 Jun 2025 9:59 PM

TV personality and author Sara Davies lit up the room at Wednesday’s All-Island Female Entrepreneurs Conference in Dundalk, inspiring over 300 women from across the island. Sara, best known for her time on Dragons’ Den, the founder of Crafter’s Companion and author of ‘The Six Minute Entrepreneur’, was the event’s keynote speaker. 

Lorraine Acheson, Managing Director of Women in Business, commented: “The curiosity and can-do attitude from the entrepreneurs this year was infectious. Our annual conference helps lead the way in facing down the challenges of the day, be that access to finance or growing sales.
"We know that women-led entrepreneurship holds untold potential to add value to the economy, fast-track greater equality and promote regional balance. Women in Business is committed to working collaboratively across the island to not only champion the impact of entrepreneurial role models like Sara, but to bring about more opportunities for women-led business owners whether they’re starting out, scaling up or inventing the next big thing.”
Event host Caroline O’Neill welcomed an impressive lineup of 16 speakers including Alyson Hogg, AnneMarie Whelan, Ciara Crossan, Morgan Pierce, Niamh McCarthy, Edel Doherty, Irene Breen, Dr Pragya Sharma, Melanie Harrison, Magda Seymour, Niamh Cushnahan, Criona Turley, Grace Smith and Yvette McGaffin, who each shared their experience of perseverance and resolve.
The All-Island Female Entrepreneurs Conference was sponsored again by AIB and supported by InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Glandore, Techstart, IQ&Co, and Key Exhibition Partner Invest Northern Ireland.
Head of Business Banking at AIB NI, Roisin Keenan, added: “We are incredibly proud to support the All-Island Female Entrepreneurs Conference, an event that continues to champion the incredible drive, ambition and talent of women in business.
“As a bank that is deeply committed to backing business, we know that women-led enterprises are key to a thriving, balanced and resilient economy. Events like this play a crucial role in breaking down barriers, whether that’s access to finance, networks or support. It was inspiring to see so many entrepreneurs not only sharing their journeys but lifting each other up in the process. We look forward to continuing to support these changemakers as they grow, innovate and lead the way, both locally and across the island.”
To read more about 2025’s showcase event and view pictures from the conference visit

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