Businesses from Carlow had the opportunity to meet buyers from all over the world this week as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026 at the RDS in Dublin. There were over 100 Local Enterprise Office supported businesses from across the country present at the event with two in attendance Carlow.
Flower Child and Blueberry Soul were all exhibiting at the Local Enterprise Showcase, part of Showcase 2026, that saw over 3,300 buyers from 27 countries attend the three-day event in Dublin looking to secure new sales and partners for the year ahead. Upwards of €32 million in business was expected to have been transacted across the three-day event.
Flower Child creates handmade home scents and candles inspired by the Irish countryside. Flower Child brings the garden indoors through carefully blended fragrances inspired by founder, Alexandria Kelly’s, love of gardening. Rachel Doyle, founder of Blueberry Soul, creates handcrafted jewellery inspired by the natural beauty and energy of semi-precious stones. Sustainability and ethical craftsmanship sit at the core of Blueberry Soul and each piece is designed for everyday wear.
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 Carlow-based companies were selected by Local Enterprise Office Carlow to take part in this year’s Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026. 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.
Reflecting on the event, Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise for Carlow County Council, stated: ‘We were delighted to have two Carlow companies, Flower Child and Blueberry Soul, representing the county at the Local Enterprise Showcase at the RDS. Showcase brings together over 3,300 buyers from 27 countries and provides a productive platform to build orders and partnerships for the year ahead, something that I know Alexandria and Rachel have benefitted from through their hard work and networking at the event.’
When asked about the Showcase event, Cllr Ken Murnane, cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, mentioned ‘It is was a fantastic opportunity for Flower Child and Blueberry Soul to showcase their talent and the talent within Carlow on a national stage. The exhibition is incredibly beneficial to makers and craftspeople as it connects them with national and international buyers and supports next steps for growth.’
This year saw the third year of the Business of Craft Awards by the Local Enterprise Offices open to all the craft and design companies taking part in Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices recognises the business 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
- 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)
Sustainability
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:
- Fashion - Wendy Louise Designs from Longford
- Home - Sam agus Nessa from Kildare
- Gift - Hanna's Bees from Cork
- Jewellery - Saw Framed from Cork
- Wellbeing - Paper + Cloud from Kerry
- 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