| Louth |
Louth BranchRepresenting Louth and surrounding counties in the North East, our branch punches above its weight with a strong member base from a cross section of entrepreneurs, employees and professional women, business and arts. This range of experience allows us to share valuable skills and knowledge. Our events are full of energy with tons of support and motivation for our members, who say the support in the group is the most valuable benefit of their membership. We are delighted to be part of a nationwide organisation that supports the professional and personal development of women. New members are always very welcome. Connect with our Branch:2025 Committee
Nicola Connolly-Byrne
President
NicolaConnollyByrne.com
Louth Branch President
OwnerNicolaConnollyByrne.com Nicola Connolly Byrne has been a proud member of Network Ireland since 2017, a journey that has been both empowering and transformative. Over the years, she has won multiple awards and had the honour of representing Louth at the national finals—a milestone that underscored her dedication to personal and professional growth. During this time, she has had the privilege of speaking at the Kildare and Kilkenny branches, sharing her expertise and passion for empowering women in business. In August 2024, Nicola stepped into a leadership role as Vice President of the Louth branch, and she now serves as President. Throughout her journey, the unwavering support, strength, and guidance from the Network Ireland community have been invaluable to her success. Nicola draws inspiration from remarkable leaders like Joanne Lavelle, whose achievements as Business Woman of the Year motivated Nicola to follow in her footsteps. As President, Nicola is committed to giving back to the community that generously supported her during her early days in business. She is eager to galvanize and expand the Louth branch, fostering an inclusive and vibrant environment for members to connect, grow, and thrive. With an exciting year ahead, Nicola looks forward to creating opportunities, forging meaningful connections, and celebrating the collective achievements of Network Ireland members.
Pauline Clarke
Vice President
Kookee
Louth Branch Vice President
OwnerKookee Pauline Clarke is in her 5th year as a member of Network Louth, She joined Network Louth during the Covid lockdowns with her business Kookee, creating bake at home cookie mixes for all the family. In the last 5 years, as part of the Network, she has won ‘The one to Watch’ local Network award. Supplied cookie mixes to each attendee of the National Awards Ceremony, completed the first ever Grow it All Ireland course, is the current VP for Network Louth and is on the National Mentor Panel for 2025. The last 5 years have also seen personal development. She has completed both stages of the Thrive4Women course in the Regional Development centre at DKIT, she has completed a micro award with LMETB and TU in Operational Excellence, Lean and Six Sigma. She is also a regular guest speaker for 3rd year degree students studying Entrepreneurship as part of a business degree and to those studying culinary arts. Pauline is also the founder of a local not for profit group called Support 4 Carers, offering a safe non-judgemental space for carers of children with disabilities to meet, chat and support each other and occasionally plays the guitar, when she has a free minute. 2025 will not only see Pauline take on the VP role for Network Louth but also launch her new factory which will be the catalyst for the much-anticipated launch of her new brand. The Grow it All Ireland program was instrumental in helping her develop the skills needed to grow her business. She loves nothing more than making connections and exploring collaborations with other branch members. ‘Attending monthly meetings both in person and online is the best way to get to know the fantastic women who are scattered all over Ireland and build on the amazing support Network Ireland has put created’.’
Estelle Cotter
Ex Officio & Secretary
Green Opal Media
Louth Branch Ex Officio & Secretary
OwnerGreen Opal Media Estelle joined Network Louth in 2019 and has been a committee member since 2020. During the past 5 years she has held various roles including membership officer, website officer, awards co- ordinator and branch Vice-President. Estelle has been extremely honoured to lead the Network Ireland Louth branch as President for 2024. As founder of Green Opal Media, she supports SMEs, coaches and trainers and helps them create visual content to facilitate upskilling & online learning. Drawing on her years of Project Management experience, she provides ongoing support during the planning and co-ordination of each unique project.
Aileen Phelan
Treasurer
VCL Consultants
Louth Branch Treasurer
Director of OperationsVCL Consultants Aileen Phelan has been a member of Network Ireland for over 11 years having joined the Louth Branch in 2013 and serving on the committee in various roles during that time, including Treasurer, Awards Co-Ordinator and was Branch President in 2018. She is the Branch Treasurer on the 2025 committee. Aileen is the Director of Operations of VCL Consultants a role that utilises her vast experience in finance, administration and accounts having worked in both the public and private sector in Dublin and London prior to setting up VCL Consultants with her husband over 25 years ago. VCL is a multidisciplinary design practice incorporating Architecture and Engineering and Aileen is responsible for the management side of the business. Our clients are at the centre of every project. Being in business has its ups and downs and the Network provides a great opportunity to meet like-minded women at the monthly events.
Carmel McCarthy
PRO
EMS & Associates
Louth Branch PRO
DirectorEMS & Associates I joined Network Ireland Louth in 2015 when most events were in the morning and the coffee and pastries were a great kick start to the day, along with the networking and chats. I quickly discovered that I had found my tribe among the different ladies who attended the events. In 2016 I joined the committee and became involved in the planning and executing of events. 2019 saw me take the chains of office as President of the branch and this turned out to be a busy and exciting year. Since then, I have held the role of PRO on a committee full of incredibly talented, supportive, and hardworking women. I was nominated for the branch award of ‘Networker of the Year’ in 2023 and was privileged to take home this award. In these last 10 years I have seen the branch grow and the range of events that now take place have changed to meet the demands of business, and to adequately support our members in their development and growth whether they are sole traders, just starting out, or larger seasoned entrepreneurs. In describing my day job, I say that I’m the ‘Yang Director’ of EMS and Associates. The ‘Yin Director’ is my husband and we, along with a wonderful team, have been keeping workplaces safe since 1995. We provide a full range of consultancy and training in the area of Health and Safety and to synopsise what we do – ‘we save lives and improve lives’
Andrea McQuillan
Digital Marketing
Coppertops Digital Marketing
Louth Branch Digital Marketing
OwnerCoppertops Digital Marketing For me it's all about connection and I am so lucky to find great connections with clients as well as friends at Network Louth. I have served as Branch President in 2022, Secretary in 2023 and 2024 and now as Digital Marketing Officer in 2025. I support clients in planning and creating innovative solutions for each element of digital marketing - strategy, planning and building - web, email, social media, etc as well as support with the business apps and tech to run a business. My support is flexible, from full done-for-you where I manage it all to done-with-you where I work to fill in gaps in their skillset, knowledge, (or time!) and now includes helping those who prefer to do it themselves with support in the form of my membership plans.
Niamh Pentony
Awards Coordinator
Boyne Ergonomics
Louth Branch Awards Coordinator
OwnerBoyne Ergonomics Niamh has been working in the area of workplace ergonomics since 2009, specialising in assessing and adapting workstations to reduce pain and discomfort, having completed a Masters in Applied Ergonomics from the University of Nottingham. In June 2019, I launched Boyne Ergonomics, an independent ergonomics consultancy company that specialises in virtual and onsite DSE Risk Assessments and workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessments. I work with employers in corporate, industrial and educational settings to ensure their employees can work safely and efficiently, whether it is an employee returning from absence, an employee reporting pain at work, an employee with additional needs or a general preventative review of current workstations. I also hosts the Ergonomically Speaking...podcast, a podcast that aims to provide practical advice to reduce discomfort when working. I regularly posts advice and tips on her social media platforms. A member of the Louth Branch of Network Ireland since March 2020, I joined the committee in 2021, was Awards Coordinator and VP in 2022, Branch President in 2023 and Awards Coordinator in 2024, and will continue in that role for 2025.
Chloe Litchfield
Newsletter Officer
Revitalise Your Home
Louth Branch Newsletter Officer
OwnerRevitalise Your Home Hi my name is Chloe Litchfield. I am the owner of Revitalise your Home. I joined the network in January 2023. In 2024 I am delighted to be on the network Louth committee as Email marketing coordinator. In 2023 I was nominated for the emerging business woman award and won the ‘one to watch 2023’ Network Louth award. Businesswoman of the Year Awards Louth Branch Awards 2023
Louth Branch Businesswoman of the Year Award Louth Branch Winners 202310 incredible women who are all leaders in their own businesses and own communities and are each to be celebrated at the Network Ireland Louth Businesswoman of the Year Awards held on Friday May 26th 2023
Estelle Cotter of Green Opal Media
Niamh Pentony, Boyne Ergonomics
AIB & Local Enterprise Office Louth
Audrey Doherty, AIB ,Sarah Mallon, Local Enterprise Office Louth, Entrepreneur Bronagh Conlon of Listoke Distillery
There was a joyous, warm feeling as the women of Network Louth celebrated each other as they strive for success. We are all stronger when we support, champion and cheerlead others! Award 1: ONE TO WATCH presented by Vice President Designate of Network Ireland Amy O’Sullivan The Judges recognised this winner as a perceptive, instinctive entrepreneur who has a way of looking at the world differently. Where others see problems, this winner sees solutions and opportunities. This business has the potential to explore numerous revenue streams, whilst delivering a strong environmental impact. The Winner of the 2023 One To Watch Award is … Chloe Litchfield of Revitalise Your Home
Award 2: Business Sector Award Champion presented by Entrepreneur Anne Reilly The winner of this award has already established a highly successful business, recognised in households and the hospitality industry nationally. With an ambitious plan to scale her own business, the winner of this award is an incredible advocate, supporter and champion of smaller producers following in her footsteps. The Winner of the Business Sector Champion is … Pauline Clarke of KooKee Award 3: Emerging Business Woman Award presented by Bronagh Conlon of Listoke Distillery Our judges were deeply impressed by our next winner. This entrepreneur has a deep understanding of her sector and the real impact it can make on its target audience. A very engaging and inspiring business leader, our winner has a clear vision of how the business can be scaled and a great understanding of franchising. The winner of the 2023 Emerging Business Woman is … Elena Calavia of Lingotot Drogheda and East Meath Award 4: Solo Business Woman Award presented by Grainne McKeown of LEO Louth “Agile”, “innovative”, “resourceful” and “empathetic” were the words our judges used about our next winner. She has demonstrated these in spades over recent years and has a deep focus on adding value to clients. This has resulted in strong growth and superb strategies for future business development. The winner of the 2023 Solo Business Woman of the Year Award is … Andrea McQuillan of Coppertops Digital Marketing. Award 5: Networker of the Year Award presented by Audrey Doherty of AIB The new “Networker of the Year” award is all about creating opportunities, while leading, supporting, and collaborating with others. The winner of this award thinks and takes action to make our network, here in Louth, more inviting and inclusive. She embodies the belief that networking is as much about supporting others as it is about her own success. She believes in the power of others AND her role in helping them to unlock that for themselves. The Networker of the Year for 2023 is … Carmel McCarthy of EMS & Associates National Finals:
Representing Network Louth at the Network Ireland Business Women of the Year Awards on 29th September in Naas, Co. Kildare:
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