TIPPERARY BUSINESSES MEET THOUSANDS OF BUYERS AT LOCAL ENTERPRISE SHOWCASE
Businesses from Tipperary 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 four in attendance from Tipperary.
Banor Skincare, First & Down, GG Designs and Laura Dunne, 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.
The four exhibitors from Tipperary included, Nicola Lyons & Elaine Crosse of Bánór, a new luxury body care brand made using Tipperary sheep milk. Rachel McCorkack’s company FIRST&DOWN is a premium athleisure wear fashion brand that focuses on merging style and comfort. The group also included Gillian Gubbins whose business, GG Designs, makes sustainable jewellery and home decor using materials such as Irish mussel shells, reclaimed fabrics, scallop shells and leather off cuts from handbag manufacturers. Originally from near Philadelphia, the fourth exhibitor, Laura Dunne is an artist working from her studio teaching art classes and creating oil paintings for purchase and reproduction as prints.
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 Tipperary companies were selected by Local Enterprise Office Tipperary 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.
Anthony Fitzgerald, Head of Enterprise said “we must salute theses small business owners who demonstrate their dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit not only showcasing the strength of local businesses in Tipperary but also contributing significantly to job creation, economic growth and industry development in the County. Your success is an inspiration to other small businesses, proving that with hard work and vision, local enterprise can thrive on the world stage”.
This year saw the second year of the Business of Craft Awards by the Local Enterprise Offices for all the craft and design companies taking part in Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2025. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices recognises the business behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country.
The awards had four categories; Best Newcomer for the best craft and design business who is exhibiting for the first time, One to Watch for the best craft and design business who has excellent export and international potential, Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability and Best Visual Branding for the business who has outstanding branding across physical and online presences.
In the Sustainability Champion category, the winner was Rowena Sheen Jewellery, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare. The business stood out as an example of how sustainability can lead innovation. Rowena creates contemporary Irish jewellery using salvaged native Irish woods, recycled sterling silver, and finished with Burren wildflower beeswax, which is a by-product of her father’s honey business.
In the One to Watch category, the winner was One Dame Lane, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow. Established by Lyndsey Kavanagh in 2017 this sustainable jewellery company have a two-pronged approach to business with a both a consumer store and online presence alongside a bespoke service that is tailored to the bridal. The company are growing steadily and are planning to grow the business internationally in 2025.
The award for Best Newcomer went to Incredible Socks, supported by Local Enterprise Office Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, in their first year at Showcase. Set up in 2023 by Marc Carey, this sock brand set out to create a premium product that wasn’t on the market. A sustainable ecofriendly range of bamboo material socks for men, women and children. Each pair sold also sees a contribution to three charities, Focus Ireland, Jigsaw and the Bombay Teen Challenge.
The final award, and a new addition for 2025, was Best Visual Branding, which went to Pawpear, supported by Local Enterprise Office Waterford. The illustrated stationery brand, in just their second year at Showcase, were selected for their exceptional visuals at the event that were consistent across their website and social channels.
SHORTLIST - Business of Craft Awards 2025 – Local Enterprise Showcase @ Showcase 2025
Newcomer
- SIOG Botanicals – supported by LEO Kildare
- Incredible Socks – supported by LEO Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown (WINNER)
- Mojo & Co – Supported by LEO Louth
One to Watch
- Culu Design – supported by LEO Wicklow
- One Dame Lane – supported by LEO Wicklow (WINNER)
- Fussy Food Plates – supported by LEO South Dublin
Sustainability
- WASI – supported by LEO Cork North & West
- Rowena Sheen Jewellery – supported by LEO Clare (WINNER)
- Crafts of Ireland – supported by LEO Cavan
Best Visual Branding
- Pawpear – supported by LEO Waterford (WINNER)
It was also another strong year for Local Enterprise Showcase exhibitors as part of the Showcase Awards with several Local Enterprise Office client companies securing awards and recognition through the Showcase awards.
SHOWCASE AWARDS WINNERS
Best Product Category Winners:
- Showcase Overall Award - The Aeris Duo by Kopper Kreation
- Showcase Best Product – FASHION: Jennifer Rothwell, Ladies 100% Silk Kimono
- Showcase Best Product – HOME: The oil / dressing bottle by Jerpoint Glass Studio
- Showcase Best Product – GIFT: The Agus Arís linen notebook by Badly Made Books
- Showcase Best Product – JEWELLERY: The Ocean Triangle stud earrings by Scribble & Stone
- Showcase Best Product – WELLNESS: The Maintain Body Oil by Naturally Balanced Kinsale
Other Showcase Award Winners:
- Local Enterprise Office Award – Seaweed Soap by WASI
- Sustainability Award – The 'Local Spots' round landscape maps by Outcrop
For more information on Local Enterprise Showcase 2025 and supports available to those operating in the design and crafts sector, log on to www.LocalEnterprise.ie and for more information on Showcase 2025, log on to www.ShowcaseIreland.com
ENDS
© 2024 LEO