Castlecomer Enterprise Centre

Castlecomer Enterprise Group Ltd acquired the old Vocational School from Kilkenny VEC and developed it as an Enterprise Centre. The group has developed the centre to cater to new business enterprises in the town. The centre was renovated to its current layout under a FAS Scheme and currently contains four units totaling 5500 sq. ft. of space. It was opened in 1995.

Castlecomer Enterprise Group is one of five voluntary sub-committees of the Castlecomer Development Association which was formed in 1958 following the threat of closure of the coal mines. The aims of the association are to assist with, and work for the economic and social development of the area.
The Group was incorporated in 1994 and granted charitable status in 1998. Its priority is to aid the development of North East Kilkenny.

The objectives of the group are:
•   To help develop and promote sustainable enterprise in the Castlecomer       Rural District
• To combat unemployment, poverty and disadvantage by supporting the creation of local  employment in the district
•  To provide a central community image and presence aimed at the promotion of Castlecomer as a region of enterprise.
•  To work with all statutory and other agencies for the promotion and development of enterprise in the region
• To assist in the encouragement and delivery of training which would be of benefit to the development of enterprise to the region.


Current Tenants
The current tenants of the space are:
(1) SOS: Tenants since 1998. They provide training to 15 members and
       employ 10 full-time. They also have a house in the area for members.
(2) Intosport: Tenants since 1995. Currently employ 7 people.
(3) Castlecomer Blinds and Curtains: This company employs ten people,
       the majority of whom carry out work from their own homes. This is an
       ideal industry for a rural community such as Castlecomer.
(4) Department of Social Welfare:

Expansion of Centre

As all the units in the Enterprise Centre are currently occupied, there is no space available for those interested in starting a new business. Given the work that is currently going on in the area to encourage economic development, there is an urgent need to provide a space for those wishing to start a new enterprise. In particular, there is a need for small and affordable workspace for various types of industry. In response, the Enterprise Group proposes extending the building to provide two additional units. Each unit will be self-contained and will be ideal for a start-up venture.

Castlecomer is a rural town situated twelve miles north of Kilkenny City. It is the second largest town in the County of Kilkenny with a population of approximately 2500. It is a busy town which serves as a centre for the wide rural area of Northeast Kilkenny. Traditionally, the town has had large employers which provided long term employment for a large number of people.

The two main employers over the years were the Coal Mines and more recently Comerama International. Since the closure of Comerama the area has experienced an increase in unemployment. A strong effort is under way to encourage business development in the region with all agencies focused on the area. The enterprise centre will be the first option for small businesses wishing to start-up.

Contact details

Patricia Owens
Chairperson of Enterprise Group
Ryefield House
Castlecomer
Co. Kilkenny
Tel: 056 4441159

Ann Martin
Administrator
Castlecomer Enterprise Centre
Drumgoole
Kilkenny Road
Castlecomer
Co. Kilkenny

Mary McEvoy
Business Development Executive
Kilkenny County Enterprise Board
C/O CDCD Network
Market Square
Castlecomer
Co. Kilkenny
Tel: 056 4441966