Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo, is being held in Dublin’s RDS from this weekend and Local Enterprise Office Donegal will have two supported companies – Ruby Doodle and Jonecari - exhibiting at the four-day event that runs from January 22nd to 25th
The event is organised by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms. Mary Mitchell O’ Connor T.D said she is very encouraged that the number of emerging craft and design companies being supported by the Local Enterprise Offices at Showcase has increased this year.
“The LEOs have been a huge support for start-ups and small businesses in the blossoming design and craft sector. Supporting this creative sector will enable further job creation right across the country and I am delighted that these awards will recognise our incredible talent.”
The 112 companies taking part in Local Enterprise Showcase are all supported by the Local Enterprise Offices and are coming from a range of creative sectors including ceramics, knitwear, jewellery, skincare and giftware.
Local Enterprise Office, Donegal has supported Ruby Doodle a supplier of wholesale greeting cards and prints for every occasion, designed, printed and hand-finished in Donegal.
The other business supported at Showcase by Local Enterprise, Donegal is JoneCari designs who create unique high-end, highly textured ‘Nunofelt’ silk, organic merino and natural fibre garments as well as earrings and jewellery.
Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise in Donegal said the new Local Enterprise Showcase is an ideal marketplace where buyers from around the world can meet local craftspeople and designers in person, helping small businesses get their big break.
“Our support for companies to be at Showcase is part of year-round supports offered from LEOs in local authorities to designers and craftspeople. These supports also include financial assistance, mentoring, business advice clinics and training programmes.
The Local Enterprise Showcase is located along the Balcony Area of the RDS Main Hall at Showcase, which is open to trade buyers from Sunday, January 22nd to Wednesday, January 25th 2017.
Further information on enterprise supports available to the design and craft sector is available through www.localenterprise.ie.
