FINGAL BUSINESSES MEET THOUSANDS OF BUYERS AT LOCAL ENTERPRISE SHOWCASE
Businesses from Fingal had the opportunity to meet buyers from all over the world this week as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2025 at the RDS in Dublin. There were over 100 Local Enterprise Office supported businesses from across the country present at the event with 5 in attendance from Fingal.
The businesses taking part included O'Rourke Art / Iconic Ireland, Run Baby Run Pottery, Túath Glass, Wineracks.ie and Wonderfully Weathery Books. These businesses were all exhibiting at the Local Enterprise Showcase, part of Showcase 2025, that saw over 4,500 buyers from 27 countries attend the three-day event in Dublin looking to secure new sales and partners for the year ahead. Upwards of €25 million in business was expected to have been transacted across the three-day event.
O'Rourke Art and Design offers original paintings and handcrafted Irish-themed crafts, jewellery, and cards. Wineracks.ie creates bespoke, handcrafted wine racks, combining artistry and functionality. Run Baby Run Pottery specializes in ceramics inspired by the Irish landscape. The TÚATH produces conical whiskey glasses that enhance the tasting experience, symbolizing Irish whiskey culture. Wonderfully Weathery Books brings weather characters to life, teaching children about weather patterns in a fun, engaging way.
Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, officially opened Showcase at the RDS, Dublin, highlighting how important trade shows such as Showcase are to the design and crafts sector in what was the 50th anniversary of the event
Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said: “I’m delighted to open Showcase 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of this incredible event. Over the past five decades, Showcase has become a cornerstone of Ireland’s craft and design sector, offering a vital platform for our makers to showcase their exceptional talents. This milestone celebrates the ingenuity and craftsmanship that Ireland is known for, and it is fantastic to see such a diverse international audience gathered here today.
“Showcase provides invaluable opportunities to elevate Ireland’s reputation in the global creative industries and with a global market. Many of the talented craftspeople exhibiting here today are based in rural communities, and my department remains committed to supporting the growth of this sector in these areas across Ireland and further afield. Craft plays a vital role in Ireland’s economy and cultural identity, and I look forward to seeing what the next 50 years will bring for Irish makers.”
The Fingal companies were selected by Local Enterprise Office Fingal to take part in this year’s Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2025. They have been working closely with them in recent months to ensure they are in the best possible position to maximise their appearance at the event including sales technique, marketing materials and stand production.
Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise in Fingal, said: “LEO Fingal is proud to support these talented craft businesses as they showcase their products to a global audience. Through tailored guidance on sales, marketing, and business development, LEO Fingal ensures these entrepreneurs are well-prepared to make the best of opportunities at events like Showcase 2025. This ongoing support helps elevate Fingal's position as a thriving hub for creativity and innovation.”
For more information on Local Enterprise Showcase 2025 and supports available to those operating in the design and crafts sector, visit www.LocalEnterprise.ie and for more information on Showcase 2025, visit www.ShowcaseIreland.com