Some of Carlow’s 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 2026 Showcase event in the RDS, running from the 18th - 20th January.
Showcase, Ireland’s Creative Expo, is one of the State’s largest international trade fairs for design and craft. The annual event attracts thousands of professional buyers from Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa. It generates millions of euro in sales orders during the show. Design & Crafts Council Ireland presents Showcase. Enterprise Ireland promotes the fair internationally through its overseas offices. Local Enterprise Offices support participation nationwide. More than 300 Irish brands exhibit each year, including emerging businesses backed by their Local Enterprise Office.
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. Alex Kelly will be exhibiting her business, Flower Child. It is an Irish fragrance brand creating handmade home scents from start to finish in the Irish countryside. Combining scent with nature, the business brings the garden indoors through carefully blended fragrances inspired by founder, Alex’, gardening journey. Each product is made with high-strength formulations to deliver a lasting, impactful aroma that transforms any space into a moment of natural relaxation. The collection includes wax melts, candles and fragrance sprays, designed to be mixed and matched so customers can create their own immersive nature experience at home. Rachel Kelly, founder of Blueberry Soul, will also represent Carlow at Showcase. Rachel creates handcrafted jewellery inspired by the natural beauty and energy of semi-precious stones. Each collection celebrates individuality, with pieces featuring stones such as amethyst, onyx and rose quartz, chosen for their distinctive character and timeless appeal. Sustainability and ethical craftsmanship sit at the core of Blueberry Soul. Materials are carefully sourced with a focus on quality, durability and comfort, ensuring every piece is made to be worn and loved every day.
The 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 Carlow include the likes of Enchanted Castle Melts who produce wax melts, bath bombs, whipped soap and gifts.
In 2025 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 2026.
Local Enterprise Office Carlow has been working with Rachel Doyle of Blueberry Soul and Alex Kelly of Flower Child on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.
Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise in Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Officebelieves this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design clients looking to make that break through. ‘Showcase is a significant commercial platform for emerging brands. It connects makers from Carlow and other counties around Ireland with national and international buyers in a focused setting. We have seen how a strong three days at the event can secure makers’ orders for the year and open longer-term relationships.’
This year all Local Enterprise Showcase clients were entered into the Business of Craft Awards. This is the third year of the awards that 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 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 finally Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability.
The full breakdown of shortlisted finalists for this year’s awards are, in the Newcomer Category, Beyond the Ferns supported by LEO Wicklow, Bó Bar Soap supported by LEO Kilkenny and Carmel Grant Designs supported by LEO Waterford. In the One to Watch category the finalists are Appleberry Atelier supported by LEO Wicklow, Polly & Andy supported by LEO Waterford and CAYO supported by LEO Limerick.
And in the Sustainability Champion category the finalists are EcoKinly supported by LEO Wexford, Bean Around supported by LEO Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown and WASI Seaweed supported by LEO Cork North and West. The awards will take place Monday, 19th January at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event.
Showcase 2026, 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.
Speaking about Showcase, Cllr Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council noted ‘Showcase 2026 will highlight the strength of Carlow enterprise. Showcase and their Business of Craft Awards raises the profile of exceptional makers and designers. It puts our companies in front of key buyers at home and abroad. Carlow County Council stands behind our participating businesses. We want meetings to convert into orders and growth in Carlow. I wish Flower Child and Blueberry Soul every success’.
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. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices and the supports they can provide, please visit LocalEnterprise.ie