In this monthly roundup, we celebrate the wonderful work of businesses around Ireland, feelgood initiatives and random good news stories that catch our attention
Windows of the Westend: New initiative celebrates Galway’s vibrant culture
Galway’s Westend is launching ‘Windows of the Westend,’ a new initiative designed to celebrate regional, national, and cultural events through vibrant and creative window displays across that area in Galway.
This year, they are kicking off the initiative with a tribute to one of Ireland’s most iconic and inspiring figures: St. Brigid. The patron saint is a symbol of strength, creativity, compassion, and renewal—qualities that resonate deeply with the Westend community. In celebration of this powerful figure, Galway’s Westend is inviting all businesses in the neighbourhood to participate by creating window displays that reflect the theme, “St Brigid in All Her Power and Glory.”
FemFuelz and ALDI Ireland confirm additional €1 million contract
ALDI has announced that it is extending its partnership with Limerick-based FemFuelz, unveiling a new milestone contract valued at €1 million. The company was founded by siblings Kylie and William O’Donoghue in 2018. The pair applied for the Grow with ALDI programme in 2023 and to date have secured contracts exceeding €1.6 million with ALDI.
FemFuelz specialise in female-specific nutritional and protein supplements with each product formulated to meet the nutritional needs of the female body. Their unique blends include Gut Balance, Super Greens, Pre-workout, Whey Protein and Vegan Protein, all of which retail for €16.49 and come in exclusive flavours only stocked in ALDI.
Showcase 2025 celebrated it’s 50th anniversary with incredible Irish talent at the RDS
Showcase was established in 1976 by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and began life as the National Crafts Fair. Over the past 50 years, it has grown from a show for domestic buyers alone to a show for buyers from 27 countries. This year, Showcase welcomed almost 400 exhibitors who showed their latest collections across four product categories – home and gift, wellbeing, fashion, and jewellery. Sustainability, responsible retail, independent retailers, and sector development were once again at the forefront of this year’s event.
Irish Country Magazine was there to take in the atmosphere and was thrilled to see so many Irish Made Awards nominees and winners among the exhibitors. Check out our reel below to see how we got on!
Cocoa Brown founder saves thousands of euro after narrowly avoiding ‘catfishing’ scam
Businesswoman Marissa Carter has taken to her social media platforms to share her experience of being catfished by another business. In this instance, she had been looking to get a stand built for a trade show that her brand Cocoa Brown would be attending in Italy. The company seemed to be completely legitimate online and for two weeks, she went back and forth via email and even had Zoom meetings about what was needed. However, when something “didn’t feel right”, her team rang the number of the company and discovered that the person they had been dealing with had cloned the website of the real brand.
“We came close to losing €12,000 to the catfisher but on top of that, the tradeshow itself would have been a complete wash out for us. We would have been unable to exhibit and the cost to our business would have been enormous. The loss of sales, the loss of payment made to the exhibition, flights and accommodation for the team, and the list goes on.”
Watch the full video below:
Dublin Bay Cruises announce eco-friendly initiative to switch from fossil fuels to HVO
Award-winning Irish tourism company Dublin Bay Cruises has announced the launch of its eco-friendly initiative by moving from fossil fuels to Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in its existing vessel St. Bridget. This change will reduce emissions by up to 90% – exceeding the climate targets set by the EU and Ireland – and make it the first domestic passenger ship operator in Ireland to adopt this sustainable practice.
Speaking about the switch, founder and managing director Eugene Garrihy said he understood the privilege of working in UNESCO’s Dublin Bay Biosphere. He added that it was vital that everyone looks it and that they had “a responsibility to the environment and the future of our coastal communities.”
Irish Made Award Overall Winner to receive major investment of €400,000
It looks like the sky is the limit for Sligo-based skincare brand, Voya as they have just received funding towards a scientific research into the benefits of seaweed as an ingredient.
Part-funded by Enterprise Ireland, founders hope this research will allow them to build greater trust with consumers in both spa and retail environments with solid data to back up the physical results of their products.
Enterprise Ireland is investing €400,000 towards the Voya research and the company itself will spend at least €500,000 on research and marketing of the results over the next couple of years. Co-founder Mark Walton said the company wants to be at “the very forefront of this deep seaweed understanding globally.”
Local Enterprise Offices now support a record number of jobs
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., announced that the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) are now financially supporting more jobs in small businesses across the country since their inception in 2014. A total of 7,104 new jobs were created by Local Enterprise Office supported businesses in 2024, which saw a 7% employment increase compared to 2023.
The figures highlighted that 81% of all new jobs created by LEO supported companies were outside of the Dublin region. The jobs have been supported by LEO grant aid and do not account for other jobs that would have been created by additional LEO supports such as training, mentoring and, competitiveness and productivity supports. This announcement marks the 11th consecutive year of jobs growth for the Local Enterprise Offices.
Ireland’s first sensory room facility in a shopping centre has opened in Dublin
Dundrum Town Centre has become the first shopping centre in Ireland to open a Sensory Room – a significant milestone in creating a more inclusive shopping experience. It is a fully padded room, designed to help stimulate and ease the visitor, providing a calming but interactive environment. Features include steps, slides, a large LED ball pit, projection system and lots more. It also has seating so parents or loved ones can relax while they accompany their child or guest. The facility was created in partnership with The Sensory Pod, Ireland’s leading sensory design company celebrating 15 years in business.
The use of the room is complimentary for Dundrum Town Centre visitors and bookings are available for 45 minute slots. For more information, visit dundrum.ie.
