Mayo business showcases chocolates at Ploughing Championships
Van Velze’s Chocolates featured among 30 small businesses in the Local Enterprise Village
A Ballinrobe-based chocolatier showcased its products to almost a quarter of a million people at last week’s National Ploughing Championships.
Van Velze’s Chocolates, supported by Local Enterprise Office Mayo, exhibited in the Local Enterprise Village, which was open throughout the three-day event and welcomed approximately 243,000 visitors.
Established in 2023, Van Velze’s Chocolates is an Irish artisan chocolatier specialising in premium handmade chocolates made with rare cocoa and fine Irish ingredients.
The company creates personal, retail and corporate gifts designed to offer customers a luxury chocolate experience.
The Local Enterprise Village featured 30 small businesses supported by Local Enterprise Offices from across Ireland. The businesses represented a wide range of sectors, including clothing, craft, artisanal food, bovine genetics and woodwork machinery.
John Magee, Head of Enterprise with Mayo County Council, said the event demonstrated the ambition, innovation and resilience of small businesses across the country.
“Van Velze’s Chocolates tapped a unique national platform to put their product and service in front of hundreds of thousands of visitors, make valuable new connections and build awareness with potential customers, partners and buyers,” he said.
He added that the benefits of attending the Ploughing Championships extended beyond the three days of the event.
“The exposure, advice and opportunities generated at the Ploughing can help them to grow sales, explore new markets and take the next step in their business journey,” Mr Magee said.
“We are proud to support these entrepreneurs before, during and after the event, and the response this year shows just how important practical, local enterprise support is for businesses with big ambitions.”
The Local Enterprise Village also included a Business Advice Hub, where budding entrepreneurs and existing businesses could meet specialist advisers from the Local Enterprise Offices.
Advice was available on starting a business, funding, sustainability, digital technology and the use of artificial intelligence.
The Local Enterprise Village will return to the National Ploughing Championships in 2027, when the event moves to Rathangan in Co. Kildare from September 21 to 23.
Small businesses interested in taking part in next year’s Local Enterprise Village are encouraged to contact their Local Enterprise Office.
The Local Enterprise Village is one of a number of initiatives operated by the Local Enterprise Offices to support entrepreneurship across Ireland.
Since their establishment, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create more than 80,000 jobs nationwide. More information is available on the Local Entreprise website.