Laois' best craft and design businesses set for global showcase

Some of Laois’ 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 January 19 to 21.

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. 

Yvonne Bolger Jewellery is a one woman creative business. From her Studio in Emo, Yvonne designs and creates stylish contemporary jewellery taking inspiration from the surrounding Laois Countryside and rich history.

The Showcase 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 Laois include the likes of EdytaArt where Edyta creates figurative pieces and large scale art in her studio in Laois and Cotone Collection, run by Hollianne Phelan which produces an Irish luxury sleepwear brand with collections inspired by quality and comfort.

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 Laois has been working with Angelina George Cosmetics Ltd. and My Comfort Ltd. on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event. Angelina George Cosmetics Ltd. provides high-quality skincare products designed for sensitive skin. With dermatological approval and preservative efficacy testing, the company meets the growing demand for safe, effective, and ethical skincare. My Comfort Ltd is an innovative brand that has created a number of sustainable products designed to give unmedicated relief for neurological conditions. Founded on principles of compassion, values and sustainability, their products are designed with the environment in mind, using innovative materials like Econyl fabric made from regenerated and recycled ocean waste.

Evelyn Reddin, Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office Laois - believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design clients looking to make that break through.

“To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is an incredible opportunity for any business starting out. If things go well at this event, a business could fill their book for the year and may well establish a partnership that could extend longer than that and help them grow. While that won’t happen for every business, just to be here, see other clients, get new ideas and develop their skills in marketing and sales 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 will take place Monday, January 20 at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

The tealight pack contains all five fragrances of the Flower child range.

Laois native Alex Kelly will also be showcasing her Irish aromatherapy brand, Flower Child at the event. Having attended Showcase Ireland for the first time in 2024, Flower Child returns for its second year with a product feature in The Edit. The Edit is a curated selection of some of the most beautiful and exciting products showcased at the event. This prestigious collection highlights innovative and sustainable creations, with a focus on the natural, the handmade and the local. Handmade from start to finish in the Laois countryside, Flower Child products combine scent with nature by bringing the garden to you, using carefully blended fragrances.