Fingal Businesses Get International Shot 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 2022 in the RDS in Dublin.  There were over 100 Local Enterprise Office supported businesses from across the country present at the event with seven in attendance from Fingal.

Love The Mug, Jane Darcy, Little Paper Mill, Berry Be Beauty, Sarah Rossney Art, Peelo Accessories and Yvonne Kelly Art were all exhibiting at the Local Enterprise Showcase, part of Showcase 2022, that saw over 4,000 buyers from retailers across the globe attend the four-day event in Dublin looking to secure new sales and partners for the year ahead. 

A wide range of businesses attended Showcase 2022 from Fingal including:

Love The Mug by Pamela and Suzanne Hughes [Pictured Below Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English T.D and Jenny Foley from LEO Fingal], who create fun and original fine bone china mugs

Jane Darcy by Gillian Halpin [Pictured Below], who are a luxury home fragrance brand specialising in beautifully scented natural soy wax candles and reed diffusers

Little Paper Mill by Aisling Howley [Pictured Below], make a wide range of beautiful greetings cards, printed and hand-finished

Berry Be Beauty by Lorna Venton [Pictured Below], produce natural beauty products and essential oil soy wax candles and diffusers

Sarah Rossney Art by Sarah Rossney [Pictured Below], create stunning art pieces that celebrate lively snapshots of everyday life

Peelo Accessories by Julie Peelo [Pictured Below] are a modern Irish luxury accessory brand

Yvonne Kelly Art by Yvonne Kelly [Pictured Below] who designs contemporary pieces of artwork

Damien English, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment officially closed Showcase 2022 at the RDS, Dublin. The show, which marked its 46^th edition this year and ran until Wednesday 2^nd March, is one of Ireland’s largest and most important international trade fairs. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.

Damien English T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said: “It is incredibly encouraging and exciting to see the return of Showcase as an in-person international trade event in the RDS. Showcase is a crucial event to letting global buyers know that Ireland’s Design and Craft sector very much open for business and we are driving economic recovery through the dynamism of these brave, talented and creative makers from across the country. There is a tangible air of excitement as buyers and sellers get to connect face-to-face and get down to business together. I would like to congratulate the exhibitors and thank the trade buyers who have come to Showcase from far and wide, both in person and via Showcase’s digital marketplace Showcase Connect.  The continuing support of Irish businesses helps to drive enterprise, growing the sector and strengthening the Irish economy.”

The Fingal companies were selected by Local Enterprise Office Fingal to take part in this year’s Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2022.  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. 

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council acknowledges that: A strong and vibrant Craft sector exists in Fingal which massively contributes to the community both economically and culturally. The Local Enterprise Office works hard to ensure small, independent, craft businesses can expand their trade through international markets. Initiatives such as Showcase are a crucial support which enables the sector to thrive and grow.”

The Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Fingal, Oisin Geoghegan refers to how: “Showcase is wonderful opportunity for local craftspeople and designers to exhibit their products to international buyers which will undoubtedly assist these small businesses to increase awareness of their brand. Providing local designers and craftspeople with the necessary guidance and support to exhibit at Showcase is one part of a wide range of supports offered by the Local Enterprise Office to small businesses. Other supports businesses can avail of include financial assistance, mentoring, business advice clinics and training programmes.” 

Mary Palmer, Chair of Showcase ®, said: “Showcase® marks one of the most important events in the design and crafts sector’s calendar. For many, this is their first trade show of the year, a chance to launch their new collections and secure orders for the year ahead. Attracting buyers from Ireland and around the world, Showcase’s strength lies in its unique identity and high-quality display of Irish design and crafts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in Showcase 2022, you are helping to support and grow our sector.”

It was 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 programme. 

In the Local Enterprise Showcase Award Category Tidings supported by LEO Louth was selected as the winner of the Local Enterprise Showcase Award. Highly commended were David Oliver Bespoke supported by LEO Kilkenny, Kings Forge Glass supported by LEO Monaghan and The Designer of Things supported by LEO Cork North & West.

The Local Enterprise Office supported clients also dominated the sustainability awards this year.  The Sustainability Award which promotes innovative and sustainable development in craft, was won by Badly Made Books supported by LEO Cork City. Nunaia supported by LEO Tipperary and Kopper Kreation supported by LEO Dublin City were highly commended in this category.

For more information on Local Enterprise Showcase 2022 and supports available to those operating in the design and crafts sector, log on to www.LocalEnterprise.ie and for more information on Showcase 2022, log on to www.ShowcaseIreland.com .

 ENDS

For further information:

Please contact Local Enterprise Office, Fingal:  

Tel: 01 8900 800     E-mail: info@leo.fingal.ie

About Local Enterprise Office, Fingal  

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Fingal is part of a network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide, located within the Local Authority structure. The Fingal office is one of the largest and most active LEOs in the country.  The role of the LEO is to support and provide assistance to existing and potential small business promoters located in Fingal, North County Dublin.  In addition, the Fingal LEO aims to foster the development of an enterprise culture. The LEOs operate under a Service level Agreement with Enterprise Ireland.  Local Enterprise Office Fingal is funded by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and is con-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.