Rebel City Distillery Un-Laoised
A small Cork business will get a chance to exhibit to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships next week as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will see 31 small businesses, 1 from each LEO, take a stand in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the Ploughing Championships, opening their businesses up to almost 300,000 prospective customers across the three days of the event, 20-22 September.
Rebel City Distillery, which is supported by Local Enterprise Office Cork City, is a craft distillery located in the Cork docklands in the former Ford factory.
Robert and Bhagya Barrett produce Maharani Gin and have recently launched Ireland’s only absinthe.
Their visitor centre opened in July 2022 and will add a spirits school later in the year, with a blended whiskey due to be produced in the latter half of 2023.
Co-founder Robert said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to exhibit at the National Ploughing Championships, which is a great opportunity to showcase our distillery and our brands – Maharani Gin and Rebel City Distillery Series Absinthe, and we are very grateful for all the support given to us by LEO Cork City.”
Head of Enterprise at LEO Cork City, Dr Niall O’Keeffe outlined what a significant opportunity this is for these businesses.
“Small businesses very rarely get an opportunity like this and it could be a significant event for them all in the growth of their business.
“They will be at the very heart of the action at the Ploughing Championships getting the chance to tell their story and sell their product / service to a massive new audience, an audience that will be excited to be back following a two-year break,” he said.
“We have been working with Rebel City Distillery to ensure they maximise this opportunity through mentoring and stand design. The Local Enterprise Village is always a great buzz and no doubt will be one of the big hits for visitors to Ratheniska later this month.”
The Local Enterprise Village was launched by Damien English, T.D., Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail along with some of the businesses that will be involved including handmade children’s furniture company Lucy & Me, luxury natural skincare and home products Jo Browne and Donegal designer Bernie Murphy.
The Local Enterprise Village is just one of a large number of initiatives that the Local Enterprise Offices run to foster entrepreneurship across the country.