Ballina native to speak at Women’s Day 2025 event
Ballina native Dr Norah Patten is one of the keynote speakers at the prestigious event.
The final countdown is on for the country’s first all-island International Women’s Day event. Registrations close this Friday for Network Ireland’s IWD Celebration, at which Dr Norah Patten will share lessons she has learned on her lifelong personal space mission when she gives the keynote address. The event will take place in Croke Park on Saturday, March 8th.
The astronaut will join chef Trisha Lewis and digital entrepreneur Áine Kerr in speaking to the theme of this year’s Network Ireland presidency, Breaking Barriers. The event is supported by Women in Business NI, and key event partners Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland, as well as the organisation’s official partner, AIB.
Speaking about the programme for Network Ireland’s IWD 2025 celebration, National President Amy O’Sullivan said: “This pioneering event brings together women from both sides of the border to celebrate International Women’s Day in the biggest event of its kind ever staged in Ireland, with 450 attendees expected. Breaking barriers is my mission for the year and dissolving the boundaries that separate us to encourage women across the entire island to support and inspire one another is at the heart of this event. Each of our speakers is a trailblazer in her field and I know that their determination, resilience and growth mindset will be a huge motivation for anyone attempting to break barriers on their own business and life journeys.”
Ciara Ryan, Head of Wealth and General Insurance AIB, said: “At AIB, we understand the additional barriers that women can face not just in business but with their financial wellbeing in general. Our research shows that the gender pension gap is closing, but many barriers remain, and having a strong financial plan for your business and personal wellbeing is so important. Network Ireland’s International Women’s Day celebration is an especially inspirational way of celebrating women in all kinds of business. AIB, as a strong supporter of women in enterprise, values our partnership with Network Ireland, as we continue to champion women who are breaking barriers daily.”
Speaking about her involvement, Dr Norah Patten said: “I am delighted to be asked to speak at the Network Ireland International Women’s Day celebration for 2025. I have spent decades paving my path to space, and in the process I've tried to use my own opportunities to open the doors for others to follow. I'm truly honoured to fly to space alongside two female trailblazers from our research institute, and our research spaceflight will include a focus on female health, an area understudied in space exploration. I hope that my experience will encourage women across the island of Ireland to shoot for the stars!”
Elaine Patterson, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Manager at InterTradeIreland who are key partners for the event said: “This is a groundbreaking event that brings together businesswomen from across the island of Ireland for an International Women’s Day celebration, as Network Ireland builds on its collaboration with Northern Ireland counterparts, Women in Business NI. Continued collaboration between women entrepreneurs across the island creates even more opportunities for businesses to grow and meet their potential. InterTradeIreland is proud to support this event as we collectively work to support women across all sectors as they build fruitful connections taking their careers and businesses to the next level.”
Members of Network Ireland and Women in Business NI will gather for the conference at Croke Park on March 8th. This event is also open to non-members. Registration closes on Friday, February 28th. For more details and to register, go to networkireland.ie/events The Network Ireland International Women’s Day event will be supported by Women in Business NI, and key event partners Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland, as well as the organisation’s official partner, AIB. Pestle & Mortar is the gifting partner. There will also be a fundraising drive on the day for Debra, which supports people living with the incurable genetic condition, epidermolysis bullosa (EB) or butterfly skin, and their families. Patient advocate Emma Fogarty hopes to speak on the day.
