WINNERS OF THE 2026 BUSINESS OF CRAFT AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Bó Bar Soap, EcoKinly and Appleberry Atelier win awards for best craft businesses
The winners of the Business of Craft Awards have been announced this morning as part of Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026 in the RDS. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices was brought in to recognise 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.
Each of the 104 Local Enterprise Office supported companies who are taking part in Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026 were eligible for the awards. The event takes place across three days where the companies will get to meet with national and international buyers from the craft and design sector.
Pamela Kerr, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices, said; “Our winners today are the template of what we want from Irish craft and design businesses. Amazing products backed up by solid business thinking and acumen in identifying their markets, mapping out sales strategies and planning for growth. While we have outstanding winners today, the shortlist for these awards again highlight some amazing businesses who have a bright future in the sector. It shows why Irish craft and design is so highly regarded across the world and why we have so many buyers visiting Showcase this weekend to see the very best of the best.”
Showcase 2026, which is a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar has opened its doors to over 3,350 buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, which will generate a forecast of €32million worth 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.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.
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)
