Participants in the new Kilkenny Design Makers Academy in partnership with the Local Enterprise Office are pictured at the shortlist announcement of the Kilkenny Design Makers’ Academy. The initiative, in partnership with the Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland, will give 25 makers access to a landmark business development programme designed to help some of Ireland's most exciting creative brands scale from independent makers into commercially successful retail businesses.Photo: Finbarr O'Rourke.

Mayo business wins place in the inaugural Makers’ Academy

Published: Fri 7 Aug 2026, 5:12 PM

Last updated: Fri 7 Aug 2026, 5:15 PM

Slainte Sea Moss, a Foxford skincare business, has been selected to participate in the first ‘Makers’ Academy’, a business development programme for Ireland's most exciting creative brands, including homeware, jewellery, fashion, craft, food, and wellbeing.

Makers’ Academy is a new partnership between Kilkenny Design and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO). It aims to build on the significant supports already available to the craft and design sector through the LEOs. LEO Mayo is currently planning a development programme for craft and design businesses this September, which will be announced shortly.

Slainte Sea Moss will participate in a programme of workshops, one-to-one mentoring and business coaching delivered by Kilkenny Design's senior leadership, buying, marketing and ecommerce teams, and leading industry and enterprise experts. The programme will cover retail strategy, branding, finance, ecommerce, digital marketing, and founder development, equipping the Foxford business with the tools to accelerate their businesses.

They will also showcase their product through pop-ups in Kilkenny Design retail stores, providing exposure to customers and first-hand experience of trading within one of Ireland's best-known retail destinations.

For more than 60 years, Kilkenny Design has championed Irish makers, helping generations of designers and craftspeople bring their products to customers across Ireland and internationally. The Makers' Academy represents the next evolution of that commitment, investing in the future of Irish creativity.

Speaking about the finalists, Evelyn Moynihan, CEO of Kilkenny Design said: “The quality of applications exceeded all expectations and demonstrated the extraordinary creativity and entrepreneurial talent that exists across Ireland today. Selecting just 25 finalists was incredibly difficult. For more than six decades, supporting Irish makers has been central to who we are at Kilkenny Design. The Makers' Academy builds on that legacy by giving emerging businesses access to the commercial knowledge, retail expertise and mentoring that can help transform great ideas into successful, sustainable brands. We are excited to collaborate with these finalists and help shape the future of Irish design.”

John Magee, Head of Enterprise with LEO Mayo said: “It is brilliant to see Slainte Sea Moss getting this opportunity. The LEO has supported the company as they have developed, and we are excited to see how the business develops as the Makers’ Academy programme progresses”.

The programme will conclude this October with one business receiving the opportunity to have their collection on shelf in a Kilkenny Design store.