T​he latest networking event hosted by The Pulse Club on 30th January at the Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub was a resounding success. Bringing together professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs, the gathering provided an invaluable platform for discussing funding supports available for SMEs, exchanging updates, and offering peer-to-peer advice on challenges faced by attendees. Participants had the opportunity to introduce themselves and share insights about their businesses or start-ups. With 25 people in attendance, the event saw a vibrant mix of familiar faces and first-time visitors, fostering meaningful connections and a strong sense of community.

​Established in 2019 under the umbrella of Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD), The Pulse Club serves as a supportive network for local businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. The club operates with an open-door policy, welcoming all participants— whether long-established or newly founded enterprises.

​Its mission is to provide a nurturing and collaborative environment where businesses can thrive, share experiences, and build lasting partnerships. The Pulse Club meets on the last Thursday of every month, with sessions scheduled at varying times, from early morning breakfasts to evening gatherings, to accommodate diverse schedules. Businesses interested in hosting a meeting in 2025 are encouraged to get involved. Hosting provides a unique opportunity to showcase your company, with The Pulse Club team taking care of the event logistics. For more information or to register for the monthly networking meetups, contact Lyn Donnelly at [email protected]. 

​Galway County Council, in collaboration with Galway City Council, is bringing the Mount Lucas Retrofitting rig to Ballinasloe From Monday February 24th to Friday February 28th 2025. Galway County Council and Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub will play host to the Rig, a fully equipped mobile NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings) training unit that allows training on energy upgrades and retrofitting be delivered in communities across Ireland.

​The Retrofitting Rig, which was developed by the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board and the National Construction Training Campus at Mount Lucas, will be based for 5 days at the public carpark across from the Ballinasloe Library on Society Street. Over the course of the week, a range of formal and informal training will be delivered from the mobile rig and Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub, including NZEB Fundamental Awareness and the Retrofit for Homes Programme, training for construction workers and tradesmen, courses for ATU and GRETB Students, Climate Action Conversations for the general public, workshop and talks to the public on the principles and practices needed to effectively retrofit homes to reduce energy demand and carbon emissions while improving comfort and saving money.

The mobile training unit is powered by solar PV panels and includes a working heat pump and ventilation system, making it entirely self-sufficient and a showcase for emerging technologies. Throughout the week, open tours will be provided for anyone interested in retrofitting. SEAI will also have a stand at the event to answer any of your queries regarding retrofitting or grants available. The mobile training unit provides an excellent opportunity for students, construction workers, community groups and individuals to learn more about retrofitting and participate in NZEB training courses close to home. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings in Galway County will help reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. The week provides several opportunities for the public to drop in for a chat with LOETB subject matter experts who will explain about the different types of retrofitting options available. The week will provide an excellent opportunity for homeowners, construction workers, community groups and individuals to learn more about retrofitting and energy saving. All events are free of charge. For more details on the time and dates on the specific courses please contact Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub on [email protected] or 0909646516. Spaces are limited for each of the courses.

With the start of the New Year, you may be considering visiting a counsellor or therapist. If so, Marie Lyons is able to help. Marie is an experienced counsellor who holds a first-class degree in Counselling and Addiction Studies from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences in Limerick, and a Diploma in Counselling and Addiction Studies from UCD. She is also an accredited member of the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland, having a background in addiction counselling, working with charities, and in nursing. Marie specialises in working with people who present with addictions, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger management, and relationship difficulties. She can also help with bereavement, relapse prevention, harm reduction, stress, and emotional or physical abuse. Her approach to counselling is personcentred, a style of therapy which aims to help everyone develop their full potential.

Marie emphasises that she approaches each session with: “empathy, genuineness, positive regard, and respect for each client in a non-judgemental manner. I enjoy assisting people to find their true path…to get them to a place where they can cope with their own feelings, thoughts and behaviours.” She also uses other forms of therapy depending on the needs of her client, including reality therapy, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and dialectical behavioural therapy. Like most counsellors, she also has personal experience of therapy, and draws on this to put clients at ease. “Having been through therapy myself, I understand how difficult and challenging it is to come for the first time. Each person is unique and I promise to walk this journey with you; you are not alone,” states Marie. While some people do prefer online counselling since Covid, Marie prefers to work in person. “It allows us to see the real person,” she notes. “It allows us to be more present and congruent.”

Following a cancer diagnosis, Marie took some time off work in 2024. She is now in recovery and looking forward to seeing clients again. “I missed my passion for the therapeutic work I was engaged in,” she explains. “I was sick for quite a while and missing what I loved best was, for me, one of the hardest things. Talking to someone helped. I’m just human, and we all need to speak to someone when we’re feeling a bit down.” Her convalescence also gave Marie a chance to listen to music, read, and take daily walks. Marie sees clients who are over 16 years of age, and is available for appointments from 10 am – 5 pm in Unit 143 in the Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre in Creagh. The office is at the back of the Enterprise Centre, which gives privacy for Marie’s clients. If you would like to make an initial appointment, you can phone 087 782 6020 or email [email protected] 

​She also accepts GP referrals.

​Despite the tapering of building work to hospitals and residential stock in the past few months, employment by firms, semi-states and sectors – the average approximate number of persons employed stands at some 4,165, down marginally less than 2.5% from 24 months ago when we undertook the desk research. In essence, there are some 4,165 persons gainfully employed in jobs in town – this does not account for those residing here and commuting to other centres for their work. What is lost in some of the commentary of late is that the decimation of our manufacturing base, with the loss of some 750 jobs concluding with the Square D closure some 16 years ago, has seen a markedly more diverse labour force emerge but close to par when “we had all those great factories” is back to some 500 or 12% of what we can track. The largest sector by numbers is the healthcare sector, which is now responsible for some 31% of the workforce.

​The Government, across a range of departments and agencies, accounts for about 12% of the workforce. These figures do not track at all the number of farmers in the hinterland of the town, nor are we counting the significant number of retirees who command significant spending power. Most areas across Galway have experienced a dip in unemployment levels in the most recent month for data – November 2024. Almost 200 people left the Live Register across the city and county in November, with the state experiencing practically full employment at 4.2% for year end. While around 20 people left the Live Register in both Ballinasloe and Gort, with the totals there now 957 and 532 respectively. The only two areas to have an increase in unemployment in Galway were Clifden and Loughrea.

hat is worrying though is an end-of-year analysis from HERO of the increase from 2023 of new jobs offered in our neighbouring/ competing counties – Offaly topped the poll in newly advertised positions nationwide with nearly 68% growth, Mayo almost 50%, Westmeath 27% and, shockingly, Galway City and County at merely 14.3%. A worrying trend for those charged with attracting new investment to the locality.

Carol singing has become an annual ritual for the St Michael’s Folk Choir. On Christmas Eve, the choir, together with a combination of choirs, singers, and instrumentalists, entertained shoppers and passers-by with their medley of festive entertainment.

The day began with a one-hour musical extravaganza by the Town Band. The townspeople and visitors enjoyed the festive event, with the choir and the band enjoying the atmosphere and goodwill it created.

As well as providing Christmas cheer in the town, large amounts of money were raised for charity. €11,622 was raised in 2024, thanks to the generosity of the townspeople and the hinterland. This year the monies collected will be given to The Ballinasloe Lions Club and Ballinasloe Care and Repair.

The Lions Club has been in existence for over 40 years. They distribute food hampers and donations to local hardship cases all year round. They have recently launched Message in a Bottle, which encourages people living alone to keep all their medical details in an easy-to-find place. They have also run Suicide Awareness courses in the past and intend to run further courses in 2025 in conjunction with the HSE.

Ballinasloe Care and Repair, in conjunction with Ballinasloe Social Services, was set up in April 2010. It is part of Age Action Ireland, a national organisation which carries out jobs for older people.

To date, the folk choir has collected €112,722 and has donated the proceeds to local organisations. They are very grateful to Thomas and Caroline Gullane for providing access to their premises and to the collectors for their volunteerism in making this event a success each year.
​
The choir practises every Wednesday from 7.00 pm to 7.45 pm in St Michael’s Church and new members are welcome at any time of the year. The folk choir sings at the Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings in St Michael’s Church at 7.00 pm. To join, contact Anne Jordan on 087 7443646.

Joe Kelly, of Ballykelly Commercial Services Ltd in London, uses the BEH whenever he's home visiting family, usually during the summer and Christmas breaks. The hub allows him to stay longer in Ireland with family and friends while still keeping on top of his work, thanks to its professional setup and excellent facilities.

Samantha from Aughrim, who works for a multinational company, used the Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub after a sudden power outage at home. Needing a reliable workspace at short notice to make an important conference call, she found the hub's facilities and high-speed internet a lifesaver in ensuring her workday stayed on track.

John Kelly, who works with PwC and is based in Dublin, regularly utilises the Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub due to its flexibility and central location in Ireland. Balancing family visits with business travel and client commitments, he appreciates the ease of booking a desk at short notice. With reliable Wi-Fi, excellent facilities, and a professional, accommodating team, BEH provides the perfect workspace for his needs.

Deirdre Touhy, who runs DT Mediation, based in Dublin but services West and Mid-West Clients from the Hub, finds it "Very convenient when I am working in that part of the country. Good facilities and location and also a nice environment for working. I find Lyn really helpful and friendly and able to fit me in to a space at short notice."

​Cathal Lucas has been running Media Farm since 2014. Cathal plans and buys media space and sponsorships across TV, Audio (FM and Digital, Outdoor, Cinema and digital for some of the biggest brands in Ireland including Smyths Toys, Applegreen, Elverys and more. After working from home for 10 years, Cathal finds the Hub ideal for hot desking and meeting clients and suppliers in the state-of-the-art boardroom.

All adding to the Country's connected and inspiring Hub and Remote work force!

To find out more about remote working at the Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre you can visit:
www.ballinasloeenterprise.ie/home-beh/ 

The Compliance Team, 3Be and Bua Nua
The Compliance Team (TCT), 3Be, and Bua Nua Eoghan Kenny is the Principal Consultant at The Compliance Team (TCT), Co-Founder & CEO at 3Be, and Co-Founder at Bua Nua. He leads three innovative businesses addressing compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency. TCT specialises in regulatory compliance consultancy, helping organisations achieve ISO certification, GDPR compliance, and cyber security risk management. 3Be offers a compliance and risk management software platform to streamline processes and provide tools and guidance for businesses to stay ahead of regulations. Bua Nua is a management app designed for the hospitality and retail sectors, providing rostering, task management, in-app communication, and customisable tools to optimise daily operations. Established in 2019, these businesses embody Eoghan's passion for innovation and collaboration.

Eoghan explains, "The hub's state-of-the-art facilities and social aspect are ideal for serving our clients remotely and collaborating with international teams in 3Be and Bua Nua. The supportive community has also enhanced networking opportunities and helped me offer top-quality services worldwide."

WEBSITE: www.thecompliance.team • PHONE: 091 420999
EMAIL: [email protected] 

The Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub is becoming the workspace of choice for entrepreneurs, small businesses, remote workers, and employees seeking a professional, flexible, and cost- effective solution in the heart of Ballinasloe. Located in a modern, refurbished facility, the hub provides a dynamic environment designed to meet the needs of today's diverse workforce. Whether you're running a business, working remotely, or need a space to focus, the hub offers options to suit everyone.

A standout feautre is its flexibility.  Offices are available on weekly or monthly leases, allowing busineses to adapt without rigid contracts.  For those not needing a permanent base, hot desks can be booked on an adhoc basis, offering profesional workspace when reqired.  This ensures that local professsionals, visiting consultants and remote workers alike can find a solution that fits.

Affordability is another key attraction. A single daily or monthly payment covers all costs, including rent, electricity, and utilities, eliminating surprise expenses. High-spec facilities include modern offices, ergonomic desks, dedicated 1GB high. speed internet, fully equipped meeting rooms, and communal areas - ensuring everything you need is at hand.

But the Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub offers more than just a physical workspace; it provides a thriving community. Working from home or in isolation can be challenging, but the hub encourages collaboration and camaraderie. Tenants benefit from informal chats, shared ideas, and networking opportunities, creating a supportive atmosphere.

The hub hosts a range of businesses, from marketing agencies and consultancies to tech start-ups and tuition services. Hot desks can be booked via www. ballinasloeenterprise.ie or www.connectedhubs. ie. For office rentals, contact Lyn Donnelly at lyn@ bacd.ie or 0909646516 to discuss availability and flexible terms.

With modern facilities, predictable costs, and a strong community, the Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub is more than a workspace—it's a place to thrive. If you're ready to enhance your working experience, consider joining this vibrant and supportive community today.