ACORNS alumna Julie Kennedy Fogarty is a children’s author, entrepreneur and founder of an independent Irish publishing business based in County Tipperary.
Julie Kennedy Fogarty creates beautifully illustrated picture books that inspire kindness, courage, confidence and emotional resilience in young children, with stories that are enjoyed by families across Ireland.
Julie holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Limerick and has more than fifteen years’ experience in banking, strategy, research and consultancy. Drawing on this commercial background, she has successfully combined her business expertise with her passion for storytelling to build a growing publishing business.
“I am focused on expanding retail partnerships, increasing export opportunities and creating timeless stories that become treasured by children and families for generations”
She is a graduate of the ACORNS rural women entrepreneurship programme. Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ACORNS supports women entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland through peer learning, mentoring and round table sessions led by experienced business owners.
The latest programme results show that the combined annual turnover of the 53 participants on ACORNS 11 increased from €4.1 million to almost €6 million during the six-month programme, generating 60 jobs. Nine entrepreneurs began trading for the first time during their participation, while four businesses became exporters.
Explainer: Who is Julie Kennedy Fogarty?
She has the write stuff
Julie holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Limerick and has more than fifteen years’ experience in banking, strategy, research and consultancy. Drawing on this commercial background, she has successfully combined her business expertise with her passion for storytelling to build a growing publishing business.
After studying children’s literature and picture book writing, Julie published her debut title, Reuben’s Hunt for a Home. Since then, she has written six picture books, all written and printed in Ireland.
Her books are stocked nationwide through retailers including Tesco, Dunnes Stores and the Kilkenny Group, as well as independent bookshops, public libraries, gift shops and visitor attractions including Fota House, Blarney Castle, Strokestown Park House and a growing number of heritage destinations across Ireland.
Julie’s work has received recognition both in Ireland and internationally. Her debut title, Reuben’s Hunt for a Home, was shortlisted in two categories at the UK Ink Book Awards, while two of her later titles were longlisted in the 2026 CAP Awards. In 2026, she was selected by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Tipperary to exhibit at Showcase Ireland 2027, recognising the growth and export potential of her publishing business.
“I joined the ACORNS programme to strengthen the commercial growth of my business, refine my strategy and prepare for the next stage of expansion. Through ACORNS, I gained invaluable mentorship, practical business guidance and a supportive network of ambitious female entrepreneurs.”
Looking ahead, Julie’s ambition is to build a recognised Irish children’s publishing brand with an international reach.
“I am focused on expanding retail partnerships, increasing export opportunities and creating timeless stories that become treasured by children and families for generations.”
Do you have what it takes to join ACORNS?
Applications have opened for ACORNS 12, the next phase of the programme for early-stage female business founders.
Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ACORNS supports women entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland through peer learning, mentoring and round table sessions led by experienced business owners.
The latest programme results show that the combined annual turnover of the 53 participants on ACORNS 11 increased from €4.1 million to almost €6 million during the six-month programme. Nine entrepreneurs began trading for the first time during their participation, while four businesses became exporters.
ACORNS 12 will run from October 2026 to April 2027 and is open to early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who have generated sales no earlier than the end of June 2023. Up to 50 places are available. Participation is free of charge, supported by funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contribution of Lead Entrepreneurs from across rural Ireland.
This year’s Lead Entrepreneurs include Alison Ritchie of Polar Ice, Geraldine Jones of Skin Formulas, Karen Kerrigan of Kerrigan’s Mushrooms, Larissa Feeney of Kinore, Mary B Walsh of Ire Wel Pallets, Orla Leahy of Ireland Chauffeur Travel and Triona MacGiolla Rí of Aró Digital Strategies.
Applications for ACORNS 12 will remain open until midnight on September 18. To apply, click here
Eligibility Criteria for participation on ACORNS
To be considered for ACORNS, applicants must:
- Have set up a new business which has generated sales no earlier than the end of June 2023 or be actively planning a new venture and have made good progress towards getting the new venture off the ground. Indicators of actively planning a business would include organising the start-up team, sourcing equipment / facilities, money saved for the start-up, writing the business plan, etc.
- They must own or part-own the business and be living in a rural area, that is in an area outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
- If selected, applicants must be available to attend the launch Forum and first round table session on October 19 and 20, 2026.
- They must expect to become an employer within three years.
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