Two craft and design businesses from County Wicklow have been shortlisted for the finals of the Business of Craft Awards, which will take place as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at the Showcase Craft Trade Fair 2025 in the RDS later this month. Culu Design and One Dame Lane, both of which are supported by LEO Wicklow, have been shortlisted in the ‘One to Watch’ category in what is the second year of the Business of Craft Awards. They will be joined in the LEO Wicklow area by two other local companies: Amurelle Bedlinen and Living Earth Photography.
Culu Design is owned by Louise O’Hara from Bray, while One Dame Lane is run by Lyndsey Cavanagh from Greystones. Both businesses specialize in designing and manufacturing beautiful women’s jewellery with a contemporary twist.
Amurelle was founded by Hannah Sanusi in Greystones and focuses on high-quality linen and cotton bedding, while Aidan White’s Living Earth Photography sells exquisite prints of Irish landscapes.
Vibeke Delahunt, Head of Enterprise at LEO Wicklow, commented, “The addition of the Business of Craft Awards to the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase is a significant boost for the companies. It helps to highlight some of the best-in-class businesses from the design and craft sector across the country and we are doing that in front of key buyers both nationally and internationally. So, it gives businesses that extra competitive advantage as we look forward to the event.”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, congratulated the exhibitors, stating, “On the whole Showcase 2025 is going to be a huge event for our four Local Enterprise Office supported companies taking part. They get the chance to meet with buyers from all over the world and it’s three days that could change their business forever. LEO staff have been working closely with them all to ensure they can maximise their participation so there is a lot of excitement ahead of the event this year.”
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) awards were open to all LEO clients exhibiting at the event as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase, which showcases 105 small craft businesses from LEOs nationwide. This is the second year of the awards, which celebrate the business aspect behind the remarkable craft and design products created across the country.
Mary Blanchfield, interim Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), commented, “Congratulations to all the finalists of the LEOs Business of Craft Awards. These awards are a great way to celebrate the business models of craftspeople across the country. Showcase 2025 promises to highlight the very best of Irish talent and creativity. At Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), we are delighted to have the opportunity to provide support and a dynamic platform for businesses to connect and collaborate with both domestic and international buyers. We look forward to working closely with the Local Enterprise Offices to welcome all the exhibitors and to build on the success of last year’s show.”
Showcase 2025, a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar, will welcome thousands of buyers from around the world, including those from Ireland, the UK, the USA, mainland Europe, Asia, and Africa, generating millions of euros in sales orders during the show. Showcase is presented by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, along with the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
The Local Enterprise Showcase is just one of several initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices throughout the year to foster entrepreneurship and support the growth of small businesses. Other events include Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme, and the Local Enterprise Village as part of the National Ploughing Championships.
For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices and the support they provide, please visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/