3 Mayo Businesses met buyers from all over the world last week at Local Enterprise Showcase – part of the Showcase 2026 exhibition at the RDS in Dublin.
The three businesses were:
1. Slainte Sea Moss - Jamie Dent – A Foxford skincare producer, with a range of products based on naturally harvested seaweeds from the West of Ireland. www.slainteseamoss.com
2. Kate Barrett Studios - Kate Barrett – A Westport based artist, jewellery designer and manufacturer, producing pieces inspired by water/fluids. https://www.instagram.com/katebarrettstudio?igsh=dnB1YnJvaWplYWR6
3. Mouse House Studios - Christina Maguire – A Killala artisan of soft pastel paintings and ceramic sculptures. www.mousehousestudio.eu
Over 3,300 buyers from 27 countries attended the three-day event in Dublin looking to secure new sales and partners for the year ahead. Upwards of €32 million in business is expected to have been transacted across the three-day event.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the Local Enterprise Showcase as part of Showcase at the RDS and highlighted how important trade shows such as Showcase are to the design and crafts sector and the impact they can have in helping these businesses to reach new markets.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I’m delighted to visit Showcase 2026, an event that continues to highlight the very best of Irish craft and design. Showcase remains a vital platform for our makers, providing them with the opportunity to present their work to national and international audiences and to build meaningful connections in global markets. The creativity, skill and innovation on display here today reflect the depth of talent that exists across Ireland, particularly within our rural and regional communities. Craft is not only central to our cultural identity but also plays an important role in supporting sustainable enterprise and employment throughout the country, contributing to the national economy and Ireland’s export market. The Government remains committed to supporting Ireland’s craft and design sector as it continues to grow, adapt and compete internationally. I wish all the exhibitors every success at Showcase 2026 and look forward to seeing Irish creativity continue to thrive on the world stage.”
The Mayo businesses were selected by Local Enterprise Office Mayo to take part in this year’s Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026. They have been working closely with them in recent months to help them capitalize on this opportunity, including sales technique, marketing materials and stand production.
John Magee, Head of Enterprise, Mayo County Council: “Local Enterprise Showcase continues to connect international buyers with small craft businesses from around Ireland, and this year’s event was larger than ever. Hundreds of connections have been made, and the 3 businesses that represented LEO Mayo were right at the heart of this, in the Local Enterprise Showcase area of the exhibition. Mayo craft businesses continue to grow their offering and their professionalism, and it is fitting that they be given every opportunity to meet international buyers and show what they are capable of.”
This is also the third year of the Business of Craft Awards at the exhibition. This initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices recognises the businesses behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country.
The awards had 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 Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability.
In the Newcomer category the winner was Bó Bar Soap, who have been supported by Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny. Their signature offering is a handmade cow’s milk soap created in small batches using milk from grass fed cows. The family run business was identified as having significant growth potential with a defined sales and export plan for what is a unique product.
In the One to Watch category the winner was Appleberry Atelier, who have been supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow. Founded by Ailbhe Cronin, Appleberry Atelier is luxury stationery design house set in the garden of Ireland, County Wicklow. Having worked with over 150 Irish high end hotels and castles, the business was picked for the high quality of the product backed up with a scalable business plan to grow into new markets.
Finally in the Sustainability category the winner was EcoKinly, supported by Local Enterprise Office Wexford. Set up by Kate Doyle, EcoKinly offers thoughtfully designed reusable products that support sustainable living from cloth nappies and reusable period pads to swimwear and wipes, EcoKinly provides practical, planet-friendly alternatives to single-use products. The business was identified as having true sustainability baked into the product and a defined sales strategy and product expansion plans.
FINALISTS - Business of Craft Awards 2026 – Local Enterprise Showcase @ Showcase 2026 Newcomer
Beyond the Ferns – supported by LEO Wicklow – www.BeyondTheFerns.ie
Bó Bar Soap – supported by LEO Kilkenny – www.BoBarSoap.com (WINNER)
Carmel Grant Designs – Supported by LEO Waterford – www.CarmelGrantDesigns.ie
One to Watch
Appleberry Atelier – supported by LEO Wicklow – www.AppleberryAtelier.com (WINNER)
Polly & Andy – supported by LEO Waterford – www.PollyandAndy.com
CAYO – supported by LEO Limerick – www.CAYO-Brand.com
Sustainability
WASI – supported by LEO Cork North & West – www.WASI.ie
Bean Around – supported by LEO Dun Laoghaire Rathdown – www.beanaround.ie
EcoKinly – supported by LEO Wexford – www.TheNappyMarket.ie (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 including Michael G O’Donoghue Carpentry who was a part of Local Enterprise Showcase and supported by LEO Kerry.
SHOWCASE AWARDS WINNERS
· Overall Best Product Award winner - Michael G O’Donoghue Carpentry from Kerry
· Local Enterprise Showcase Award winner - Crafty by Illiana from Dublin
Best Product Category Award winners:
o Fashion - Wendy Louise Designs from Longford
o Home - Sam agus Nessa from Kildare
o Gift - Hanna's Bees from Cork
o Jewellery - Saw Framed from Cork
o Wellbeing - Paper + Cloud from Kerry
o Sustainability Award - Martina Hamilton from Sligo
For more information on Local Enterprise Showcase 2026 and supports available to those operating in the design and crafts sector, log on to www.LocalEnterprise.ie and for more information on Showcase 2026, log on to www.ShowcaseIreland.com.
