Limerick’s Karen Ronan to lead Network Ireland International Women’s Day celebration on Saturday, March 7

Sarah Walker of Enterprise Ireland and Network Ireland President Karen Ronan pictured ahead of this Saturday’s International Women’s Day event. Credit Patrick Browne

Limerick’s Karen Ronan is set to lead a national gathering of female entrepreneurs and professionals as Network Ireland marks International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 7

Limerick’s Karen Ronan is set to lead a major national gathering of female entrepreneurs and professionals in Limerick City this Saturday, March 7, at the Limerick Strand Hotel.

As president of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber, Karen will welcome representatives from all over the country for the organisation’s flagship International Women’s Day 2026 event.

Network Ireland’s International Women’s Day event will be headlined by entrepreneur and social innovator Sonya Lennon, who will join speakers from fashion, global sport and enterprise to discuss what it takes to build resilient brands in competitive markets. The programme will also explore the concept of brand wellness, ensuring that as organisations scale, the people behind them remain supported.

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Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a routine part of how women‑led businesses operate, according to new data from Network Ireland released ahead of its national International Women’s Day event. The event comes at a crucial time for women in business. Recent data from the organisation shows that 70 per cent of Irish women in business are already using AI, though many remain concerned about future regulation.  

Karen said the survey findings underline the importance of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Building bridges is about creating access to opportunity, to confidence and to leadership,” she said. “Women are adapting to new technologies and new market realities at pace. Our role is to make sure they have the networks and support to grow with confidence.”

Despite her current role with the Galway Chamber, Karen is deeply committed to the Midwest saying, “collaboration between Limerick and Galway is so important as both regions are anchored by Shannon Airport and share the common goal of maintaining US tourism numbers in a turbulent global climate.”

Geraldine Casey, Managing Director of Retail Banking at AIB, said, “At AIB, we believe that when women in business thrive, our communities and our economy thrive with them. International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that progress happens when ambition is supported by access to finance, to networks and to opportunity. AIB plays a vital role in creating those connections, and we look forward to continuing to champion female entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainable growth across Ireland.”

Sarah Walker, Senior Executive, Enterprise Ireland, said, “Enterprise Ireland is focused on increasing the number of women who start, lead and grow businesses, and we are delighted to support Network Ireland in hosting this year’s International Women’s Day event. Through our investments and initiatives, including the Going for Growth, NextWave, WeBuild, WeGrow and WeScale Shared Island programmes, we aim to give women the skills, networks and funding routes they need to scale. When women succeed in business, the benefits are felt across communities and the wider economy.”

Established in 1983, Network Ireland supports more than 1,400 female entrepreneurs, SME owners and senior professionals across sectors ranging from multinational business to non-profits, the arts and the public sector.

The Network Ireland event at the Limerick Strand Hotel precedes the official International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8th.