Irish Made: Designers to know at Showcase Ireland this month

The annual trade show, Showcase Ireland, is taking place virtually from the 25 to 29 January

By now we’re used to seeing our favourite events being stalled or pushed out due to the pandemic, so we are delighted to see that Showcase Ireland is going ahead this month. Taking place in a new innovative Virtual Showroom format from 25 to 29 January, 2021, the creative expo is designed to show off the wealth of talent in Ireland to international buyers, tastemakers and retailers.

Supported by Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, Showcase will allow international and Irish buyers to explore the creativity and craftsmanship of the exhibitors, like they would at the RDS each year.

Chair of Showcase Ireland, Eddie Shanahan, says: “Ireland boasts a wealth of talent and creativity and while the pandemic prevents the physical event from taking place, we are delighted to continue to provide a platform for Ireland’s creators and makers to showcase their products to Irish and international buyers through our Showcase Virtual Showrooms. Though this year’s event will look different, we are confident that we will demonstrate the vitality of the Irish craft and design sector to both new and returning buyers. We will also relaunch our Showcase website as a Source Guide, with over 200 designers and makers offering B to B facilities, for Irish and international buyers.”

Hundreds of innovative Irish designers and makers will be on display during the show, and we have selected five names to give a taste of just some of the talent that will be showcased across the five days.

Brooke & Shoals

Based in the beautiful seaside town of Greystones in County Wicklow, with hills and forests on one side and the expanse of the ocean on the other, Brooke & Shoals is an Irish company with endless inspiration from nature. Winner of the Gift Category in the Irish Made Awards 2020, the beautiful collection includes candles, diffusers and body care and are all made with sustainability and originality in mind. brookeandshoals.ie

Foxford Woollen Mills

Irish Made Awards 2020 Overall Winner, Foxford Woollen Mills, will be bringing their beautiful designs to Showcase. This Mayo-based family company produces seriously luxurious blankets that come in an array of colours and sizes. foxfordwoollenmills.com

Kopper Kreation

Dubliner Emmet Bosonnet is the creator of Kopper Kreation, an industrial homewares brand that uses reclaimed and recycled materials to create unique and eye-catching homewares. With an eye for design and a degree in engineering, Emmet has always been inspired by industrial design and uses copper, steel and brass in his collection. kopperkreation.com

Ireland’s Eye

Inspired by the windswept landscape of Ireland’s Eye, the tiny island off the Dublin coast, this knitwear offers contemporary and classic styling and warmth to brave the Irish elements. The collection is produced in luxurious wool blends such as Merino wool and cashmere yarns. irelandseyeonline.com

Hawthorn Handmade Skincare

Elaine from Hawthorn Handmade Skincare handcrafts her products from her family farm in County Mayo, close to the shores of Lough Carra; an area of special conservation, where her family have lives. All of the products have been carefully formulated using the highest quality botanical ingredients creating facial oils, balms, cleansers, scrubs and mists packaged beautifully. hawthornhandmadeskincare.com