Happy International Women's Day!

At Xplore, everything is local. We value every inch and corner of Ireland’s beautiful towns and villages — including the communities that give them life. This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women who hail from these exceptional places. 

Their stories begin in a town, a village, a neighbourhood. 

This is where they kicked their first football, performed in their first school play, joined their first camogie or basketball or gymnastics club. This is where they experienced their first heartbreak, sipped their first pint of beer, sat behind the wheel of their first car. 

Here lies the café where they shared hot chocolate with school friends on a Friday afternoon. Here lies the river, the lake, the beach, in which they first dipped their feet on a hot summer’s day. Here lies the corner shop where they bought penny sweets, the bus stop where they eagerly awaited a lift to the city, the florist where they bought birthday bouquets for their mam. 

Here lives the mother who made sure they had the best start. The granny who taught them to always hold their head high. The sister who gave unconditional love. The teacher who nurtured their talents. The coach who assured them they were always capable of going a little further, pushing a little harder. 

Our heroes, our inspirations, were made here. They are so much more than where they came from — but their stories remain forever etched in the walls and streets and mossy hills of our hometowns. 

To all the women of Ireland this International Women’s Day: keep choosing to challenge, keep doing the incredible work that you do, and keep being you — we’ll look after the wonderful place you call home. 

Check out National Women's Council events page for a list of national and local virtual events taking place today. Also, keep an eye out this afternoon for our interviews with some of the women from our lovely towns!