Local 'cream of the crop' get set for Enterprise Showcase 2025
Some of County Cavan’s best up and coming craft and design businesses will be among 100 plus companies from across Ireland to meet with global buyers as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at the 2025 event in the RDS, which is running from January 19-21.
An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Showcase is a special area at the event that houses a range of Ireland’s newest design talent. There will be four businesses representing the county this year. Each of the businesses are female led and are members of the Cavan Women in Business Network, which is also an initiative of Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Cavan County Council.
Local participants include Kim Gaffney, a Cavan based artist who paints wildlife and floral art with oils; designer Kirsten O’Keeffe who founded Studio Eight in Belturbet and uses dried flowers to create wall art; Grainne Dunne who runs Motly Designs in Redhills which produces a range of gifts; and Sandra Coote who owns and manages Crafts of Ireland in Virginia, which is based on a sixth generation family farm and is dedicated to promoting and preserving traditional Irish crafts and skills.
The upcoming Showcase at the RDS, which is regarded as a “pinnacle gathering” 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 while generating millions of euro of orders through sales during proceedings. Last year there were thousands of national and international buyers in attendance at the RDS and an increase is anticipated in 2025.
Meanwhile, LEO Cavan has been working with Kirsten, Grainne, Sandra and Kim on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they are in a position to “maximise” all the opportunities that comes their way during the three-day event.
Conor Craven, Head of Enterprise, LEO Cavan, believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming crafters and designers looking to make a breakthrough. “To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is an incredible opportunity for any business starting out,” he said.
“We are delighted to have four great businesses representing Cavan this year. We are also very pleased that one of those businesses, Sandra Coote, Crafts of Ireland has been shortlisted for the Sustainability Award.”
All Local Enterprise Showcase participants were entered into the Business of Craft Awards, which 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 exhibiting for the first time; One to Watch for the best craft and design business that has excellent export and international potential; and Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability.
The shortlisted finalists for this year’s awards include: 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.
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 and across their online footprints. The awards will take place Monday, January 20, 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.