An incubation & enterprise centre located in the rural Gaeltacht area of South West Donegal is home to a number of exciting, creative new businesses as well as being home to local enterprise and community support organisations. Local Carrick born, Eunan Cunningham, manages the centre, known as Fiontarlann Incubation and Enterprise Centre in Baile na Móna, Cill Chartha (Kilcar, Co. Donegal) which was the result of a collaboration between WestBIC and local community organisation, Aislann Cill Chartha Teo.
Fiontarlann Incubation & Enterprise Centre is a catalyst for creative and innovative enterprises in South West Donegal. The centre provides a wide range of business and innovation supports mainly provided through WestBIC and is a strong base for start-up businesses and onsite mentoring support to business owners to help them grow and reach international audiences. Start-up capital through Business Angel Investors is also available to enterprises through the HBAN network, managed by WestBIC in the area.
Speaking of his role and his experience in developing enterprise and supporting local entrepreneurship in the community, Eunan says: “I project managed the centre from concept to its official opening in 2008. The support from Údarás na Gaeltachta and the International Fund for Ireland secured the vital funding required to build, finish and promote the centre. Fiontarlann is currently home to six tenants, which include WestBIC, Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC), Tír Boghaine Teo, Whitepark Engineering, Accubook & Orwell & Browne. Together we are working for the benefit of sustaining & creating employment in the area by providing a wide range of business & enterprise supports.“
“Carrick is my home, I went to school here, then went off to college and was delighted when I got the opportunity to return home to work for WestBIC having worked for a number of years in the private sector. I often thought of those who had emigrated, including members of my own community and family that with the right supports in place, they could return home and develop their business. These supports and opportunities are now available for those who wish to return and there are already examples of people who have returned home to South West Donegal to set up their business.
“South West Donegal is more than just my home. The natural beauty and environment and the sense of community here, makes this part of the world feel like it is the most special place on earth to live. The enterprises that have grown here are thriving and have created and sustained employment in the area. Companies in South West Donegal are now doing business globally with some of the biggest brands in the world such as Ralph Lauren, Chanel, International Airline Companies to name but a few and I believe that it’s due to the creative inspiration that is abundant in this area” says Eunan.
“I see more and more creative entrepreneurs and emerging creative talent, many originally from the area reaching out to their home county for support with their ideas, in the hope that they can create a sustainable business and return home and base themselves here to live and work. It’s also very exciting to see traditional craft and textile industries based here continuing to redevelop and transform their businesses to compete on a global scale”
“For example, two members from a local family, have based their businesses in Fiontarlann for research & development purposes & are getting the support they need to achieve international success”
“Our plan for the future is to grow the Fiontarlann to full capacity, continue to inspire and support potential entrepreneurs to set up business here in the area and to create additional good quality employment, whether it is directly or indirectly.”, concludes Eunan.
Photo : Paul Doherty Photography