Kilkenny craft and design businesses set for Showcase 2024

Some of Kilkenny’s best up and coming craft and design businesses will be part of over 100 businesses from across Ireland who will get a chance to meet with buyers from all over the world as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at the 2024 Showcase event in the RDS, running from January 21 to 23.

An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Showcase, is a special area at Showcase that houses a range of Ireland’s newest design talent. This year, Kilkenny is represented at Showcase by three locally based businesses; Anne Healy of Biddys’ Good Luck Horse Shoes produces beautiful pieces of Irish Good Luck from Genuine Horse Shoes. Siadbh Duffy handcrafts crystal amulets using 14ct gold filled, 9ct recycled solid gold or recycled silver materials to pair with each crystal. Geraldine Walsh produces original oil paintings, fine art prints and cards of the beautiful Irish landscape.

Water outages to be expected in South Kilkenny community

Householders in the Piltown area may be without water until later today

Showcase is presented on behalf of 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 Kilkenny has been working with Anne, Siadbh and Geraldine on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.

Acting Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny, Aileen McGrath believes this is an opportunity like no other for up-and-coming craft and design clients looking to make that break through.

“To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is an incredible opportunity for any business starting out. If things go well at this event, a business could fill their book for the year and may well establish a partnership that could extend longer than that and help them grow.

“While that won’t happen for every business, just to be here, see other clients, get new ideas and develop their skills in marketing and sales will stand by them going forward,”she added.
showcaseireland.com