Some of Carlow’s best up and coming craft and design businesses will be part of over 100 companies from across Ireland who will get a chance to meet with buyers from all over the world as part of Local Enterprise Showcase at the 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.
Joanne Doyle, Enchanted Castle Melts www.enchanted-castle-melts.com
Enchanted Castle Melts, based in Bagenalstown, County Carlow, carefully crafts its products by hand. The candles are made using eco-friendly ingredients, including soy wax, a wooden wick, and a sustainable, recyclable glass jar with a seed-infused paper lid that can be planted to grow wildflowers. The collection features timeless vessels that add elegance to any room while encasing luxurious candles that create a fragrant atmosphere. With all-natural ingredients, these candles provide a clean burn lasting up to 40 hours, delivering a long-lasting, indulgent scent for any space.
Alex Kelly, Flower Child www.flower-child.ie
The Flower Child brand offers handmade aromatherapy candles and products that promote well-being and a strong connection with nature. With a focus on sustainability and mindfulness, we aim to create a transformative experience that nurtures the mind, body, and soul.
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 participants from Carlow include the likes of Joanne Browne is the founder and creator of Jo Browne Ireland, a brand that offers luxury natural products for both individuals and their homes. In 2016, she pursued her dream and passion by creating her first product, a natural solid perfume.
In 2024 there were thousands of national and international buyers in attendance at the event in the RDS and it is expected this will increase again in 2025.
Local Enterprise Office Carlow has been working with Joanne Doyle of Enchanted Castle Melts and Alex Kelly of Flower Child on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.
Cllr. Fergal Browne, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, highlights the importance of supporting craft and design as integral to Carlow’s identity, "The craft and design sector serves as the artisanal thread that intertwines innovation with tradition, creating a vibrant tapestry of uniqueness and resilience in County Carlow. It’s a testament not only to our rich cultural heritage but also to the economic vitality that drives our local community. We are thrilled to see two creative Carlow companies thriving on an international stage like Showcase."
Melissa Doyle, Business Advisor with the Local Enterprise Office, emphasised the benefits Showcase provides for local makers and designers, "Showcase 2025 is an important opportunity for craft-makers and designers to connect with buyers from Ireland, Europe, the USA, and Asia. It’s a key event for anyone in fashion, jewellery, home, or giftware. Participants not only get support with costs but also receive training to help them present their products confidently and make the most of this chance to reach new international markets.”
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.
The shortlisted finalists for this year’s awards are, in the Newcomer Category, SIOG Botanicals supported by LEO Kildare, Incredible Socks supported by LEO Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Mojo & Co supported by LEO Louth.
In the One to Watch category the finalists are Culu Design and One Dame Lane, both supported by LEO Wicklow, and Fussy Food Plates supported by LEO South Dublin.
And in the Sustainability Champion category the finalists are WASI supported by LEO Cork North & West, Rowena Sheen Jewellery supported by LEO Clare and Crafts of Ireland supported by LEO Cavan.
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/Carlow
