Seven small craft businesses from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown will exhibit their products to international buyers within the ‘Enterprise Zone’ of this year’s Showcase event - Ireland's Creative Expo - which takes place in the RDS Dublin from 19th-22nd January 2014.
The seven biusinesses exhibiting in the Enterprise Zone with the support of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board are: Marion Hancock of Art Cards Ireland, Laragh McMonagle of By Laragh, Martin Kennedy of Ecomelts, Melanie Hand of Melanie Hand Design Jewellery, Mary Varilly of Rosarybeads.ie, Joe Ensko & Helen Roden of Irish Country House Collection, and Tara Hammond of Slated. All of these businesses have ambitions to break into new Irish and export markets during 2014.
Organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland, the annual creative expo is valued by industry experts as one of the most important trade events for Ireland’s craft sector. This year, the national netowrk of County & City Enterprise Boards will support 93 small businesses at Showcase through subsidised stands, up from a figure of 35 in 2010.
Michael Johnson, CEO of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board, said: “There is a high calibre of craft businesses from throughout the region, showcasing high quality produce at this year’s Enterprise Zone at Showcase. With the support of DLR CEB, these businesses have a valuable opportunity to exhibit their products to both domestic and overseas trade buyers and to create new jobs locally in the process."
Brian McGee, Head of Market Development for the Crafts Council of Ireland said: “As the global market wakes up to the importance of provenance and searches for the authentic, where something was made and who made it, all combine to add value, desirability and exclusivity Ireland’s long history and reputation for craft and design now moves to the fore. Different to the mass marketed luxury brands, Ireland’s linens, knits, jewellery, ceramics and glass are made luxurious through their uniqueness, their genuine heritage and their youthful and contemporary design.”
He continued: “Our new and exciting offering at Showcase presents a unique opportunity for savvy retailers to discover nascent talent as well as established designers all of whom display fresh thinking, contemporary design ideas and new approaches to craftsmanship and quality.”
Showcase is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland and further details are available by visiting www.enterpriseboards.ie and www.showcaseireland.com.