Mayo’s Best Craft & Design Businesses Set For Showcase 2025
Date: 17-01-2025
Four of Mayo’s best craft and design businesses will join over 100 companies from across Ireland, to meet buyers from all over the world, as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase (Part of 2025 Showcase) event in the RDS, running from the 19th – 21st January.
An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Showcase, is a special area at Showcase that houses a range of Ireland’s newest design talent.
This year, four Mayo businesses will represent the county:
- Slainte Sea Moss – Sustainably produce skincare range, inspired by the ocean
- Herbal Earth – Pro-aging skincare range for mature consumers
- Hawthorn Handmade Skincare – Handmade vegan skincare products
- House of Achill – Scented candles inspired by the West Coast of Ireland
Local Enterprise Office Mayo has been working with this year’s participants on marketing and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.
The event, which is a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar, will open its doors to thousands of buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show.
Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
Recent Mayo participants include Mood Designs, Rothlu Jewellers and artist Brenda Flannery.
In 2024, thousands of national and international buyers attended the event and this is expected to increase again in 2025.
John Magee, Head of Enterprise, Mayo County Council, believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design clients looking to make that breakthrough. “To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is a great opportunity for any business. If things go well at Showcase, these businesses could secure significant orders and may well go on to establish partnerships that could last for years. The real advantage, though, is just to be there, to meet other businesses, get new ideas and develop their skills in merchandising, marketing and sales. All of this will stand by them going forward.”
This year all Local Enterprise Showcase clients were entered into the Business of Craft Awards. This is the second year of the awards that celebrate the business behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country.
The awards have three 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 and finally Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability.
This year sees an additional award for Best Visual Business. This will be judged at the event and will be awarded to the craft and design business with the best visual presence and branding both at the event but also across their online footprints.
The awards will take place Monday, 20th January at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event.
Local Enterprise Showcase is one of several enterprise initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices across the year to foster entrepreneurship and help small businesses to start and grow. Other events include Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme and the Local Enterprise Village as part of the National Ploughing Championships. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices and the supports they can provide, please visit LocalEnterprise.ie