A small snapshot of ceramics by The Mood Designs. Photo: Mood Designs Facebook page

Mayo’s best craft and design businesses set for Showcase 2024

SOME of Mayo’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 at Local Enterprise Showcase. The event is part of 2024 Showcase, running from January 21 to 23 in the RDS.

The Mayo craft businesses attending are as follows.

House of Achill: The Achill-based business produces scents and candles inspired by Achill Island. It is the creation of Anna Sutcliffe and all products are hand-made.

Brenda Flannery Art: This Straide business produces landscape and seascape paintings inspired by Mayo and the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Mood Designs: Producing handcrafted ceramics mirroring the sea and landscape of Ireland, this business is operated by Ella and Lukas Szczerbak, Castlebar.

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, generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show.

Showcase is presented on behalf of the 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.

Local Enterprise Office Mayo has been working with the Mayo attendees on merchandising for their stands, marketing and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.

John Magee, Local Enterprise Office Mayo, believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design clients looking to make that breakthrough.

He said: “To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is a terrific opportunity for any business.

“If things go well at this event, a business could secure significant orders and may well establish partnerships that could help them grow. While that won’t happen for every business, the opportunity to exhibit alongside other clients, get new ideas and develop their skills in marketing and sales will be hugely valuable.”