Mayo native to speak at International Women's Day event in Galway
Claremorris native Cróna Esler will speak at the event. Picture: Martina Regan
A Mayo woman is among the speakers for this year’s International Women’s Day celebration in Galway.
Claremorris native Cróna Esler will join an inspiring line-up of Galway businesswomen in The Salthill Hotel on Friday, March 6th, for an event entitled Women Empowering Women.
Cróna is the owner and managing director of Cróna Esler PR & Communications – a bespoke public relations and communications firm, offering a broad range of specialised and client-specific services. Cróna’s career has spanned more than 20 years across journalism, public relations and communications. She works with clients across diverse sectors to develop compelling messaging, build awareness and credibility, protect reputation, foster trust, and shape perception both internally and externally.
This year’s International Women’s Day event in the City of Tribes is being organised as a joint collaboration between Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Galway and Network Ireland Galway. It forms part of LEO Galway’s schedule of events for Local Enterprise Week (LEW), running from March 2nd to 6th.
The Women Empowering Women event will begin at 9.30am on March 6th, and will feature Ruth Mackey, Co-founder, Chief Science Officer, and COO of MBRYONICS Ltd, as the guest speaker.
Ruth’s expertise spans system-level oversight of optics development, alongside financial management and business operations. She will take the audience on an inspiring journey from her early work in advanced adaptive optics to her role at MBRYONICS. At MBRYONICS, the team is building the internet in space through nextâgeneration laser communication technologies that connect satellites with unprecedented speed and precision.
Ruth’s address will be preceded by a Women Leading The Way fireside chat, featuring Cróna Esler, Tara Canning and Elma Carew. The trio will share their stories, insights, and practical takeaways to help attendees empower their own personal business journeys.
Tara is managing director of Dr Clare Apothecary & Clinic, having worked with the company for over 20 years, initially as a part-time retail assistant and Clinic Nutritionist. Today, Dr Clare Apothecary products are stocked in over 150 stores nationwide. A strong ethos of quality, sustainability and lean management have led Tara and the business to a strong position in the health and wellness sector, with plans to scale to the EU market in 2026.
A Career and Wellbeing Coach, as well as a Fractional HR partner, Elma runs Elma Carew Coaching and Consulting, helping professionals gain clarity, confidence and balance in their work and life. She holds advanced coaching qualifications across career, wellbeing and leadership and is an experienced workshop facilitator in the areas of burnout, resilience, mindful work, digital wellbeing and leadership skills. With two decades of HR experience including senior leadership roles, she blends insight, practicality and deep understanding to help people and organisations move forward with purpose.
Crossmolina native Stephanie Colombani, Senior Enterprise Development Officer at LEO Galway, is heavily involved in organising the event. She said attendees can expect an engaging event from beginning to end.
“LEO Galway and Network Galway are coming together to celebrate International Women’s Day with what promises to be a truly uplifting and energising event. We have an excellent line-up of speakers and attendees can look forward to a vibrant morning of connection, conversation and meaningful networking with women from across Galway’s thriving business community.”
A light breakfast will be provided on the day. For tickets and further details, visit galwayleo.clr.events. For a full schedule of events taking place for Local Enterprise Week in Galway, visit www.localenterprise.ie/galway
