Pictured, L-R: Michael Waldron, Waldron Family Meats; Minister Neale Richmond TD; and Amy Curley, Waldron Family Meats. Photos: Ger O'Loughlin.

Waldron Meats success story highlighted during Minister's visit

Published: Tue 27 Feb 2024, 4:15 PM

Last updated: Wed 28 Feb 2024, 9:56 AM

Waldron Meats was one of three businesses which Minister of State Neale Richmond met with during a visit to the Roscommon Local Enterprise Office yesterday (Monday).

Deputy Richmond is Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with special responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail. During his visit to the Roscommon Local Enterprise Office, the Minister met with LEO staff and local businesses.

Based in Brideswell in South Roscommon, Waldron Meats has over 35 years of trading experience. The local company produces cures and an extensive range of pork products such as bacon, rashers, sausages, black and white puddings, ribs and ham joints.

Their highly acclaimed products are sold under their own ‘Waldron Family’ brand and under own brands of selected retailers. Waldron Meats are stocked in over 200 outlets including all leading multiples and retail chains. The business has also recently expanded into UK export markets.

Lydia Clayton, who runs the Athleague-based Lydia Clayton Goldsmith, also met with Minister Richmond. Her business designs and creates commissioned jewellery for customers.

Ms Clayton has gained considerable experience as a goldsmith and jeweller since 2013. After a successful first year, Lydia is about to launch her own range of jewellery to be sold through retail outlets as well as directly through her website.

L-R: Lydia Clayton, Lydia Clayton Goldsmith; Enda Cannon, Local Enterprise Office, Roscommon; and Minister Neale Richmond TD.

Minister Richmond first met Timea Kovacs who set up ‘The Best Free From’, an artisan bakery established in August 2020 from her home in Castlerea. Here, her fresh baked product range is produced free from sugar, gluten, yeast, grain, wheat, soya and dairy.

By meeting these three Roscommon businesses, Minister Richmond gained considerable insight into the vibrant, yet diverse small to medium sized business sector in the county.

A total of 128 new local jobs were created by LEO supported companies last year (2023) in Roscommon, according to jobs figures announced recently. These figures are consistent with strong local job creation trends in recent years.

More than €2.1 million funding has also been approved by Roscommon LEO to 73 businesses in the last five years supporting start-ups, growth and innovation plans. An impressive 1092 businesses also availed of Roscommon LEO training last year.

Almost three hundred local businesses, 292 in total, received mentoring from Roscommon LEO in 2023 to support local entrepreneurs develop their capacities and skills.

Meanwhile, a new 14,000 square foot Innovation Centre in Monksland is also nearing completion and will represent an opportunity to incubate a new generation of high value start-ups in the region.

Welcoming Minister Richmond to Roscommon, Roscommon County Council Chief Executive Shane Tiernan said the Minister’s visit was a strong endorsement of the success and delivery of LEO supports to established and emerging businesses in the county.

Enda Cannon, Senior Enterprise Development Officer with Roscommon LEO, also welcomed the Minister’s visit to the county.