Bord Bia Bloom 2025 attracted more than 100,000 visitors to Dublin’s Phoenix Park over the June Bank Holiday weekend and the Meath Made stand welcomed thousands over the five days of the event. Eight craft and design businesses from Meath, who are all members of Meath Made – County Meath’s creative collective – operated a unique pop-up shop at Bloom 2025. Returning for their second year at Bloom, Meath Made reported strong sales all weekend with shoppers seeking out high quality products that are unique, made to the highest levels of quality, from businesses throughout the Royal County.
The Meath Made stand was a selling opportunity for Meath based businesses as well as an experience for the individual business to come together to work with each other in selling their works whilst also promoting Meath Made. The eight businesses involved included; Boann Irish Felt Designs, Roisin and Robin Unique Gifts, PaperTwigs Designs, The Patchwork Peacock, Púróga Pebble Art, Darych Designs, Frayne Woodcraft and Dawn McGrath Art. Exhibiting at Bord Bia Bloom 2025 was a chance for Meath Made to build on their efforts from exhibiting at Bloom last year and connect with a national audience.
The stand was designed and made in 2024 by local business Faber Furniture in collaboration with the Bearded Man in Navan. It is fully sustainable and can be re- used for future trade shows and pop-up shops in the coming months and years. Locally sourced flowers from Wilkinstown Flower Farm were used to dress the stand. The eight members ran the shop, with a combined effort of over 200 hours work, including set up and breakdown. Collaboration and networking are key objectives of membership of Meath Made.
Clodagh Herbert, founder of Darych Designs Ceramics.
Speaking from her home in Navan, Clodagh Herbert, founder of Darych Designs Ceramics, reflects on her first experience exhibiting at Bloom 2025, saying: “It was such a joy to be part of Bloom this year. The atmosphere was electric — full of colour, creativity, and connection. I felt truly privileged to share my work with so many people who appreciate the beauty and process of handmade ceramics. “The response to my work was incredibly heartening. Meeting visitors, hearing their stories, and seeing their reactions reminded me why I started Darych Designs in the
first place — to create meaningful pieces that bring beauty into everyday spaces. I left Bloom feeling inspired, encouraged, and more passionate than ever about Irish craft.”
Rebecca Maguire, founder of Púróga Pebble Art, said: “It was a wonderful event to be part of. The energy, the people, the support, it was so incredible. What I really loved was interacting with people, seeing their reactions to my work, and watching them connect with the creations from all of us representing Meath Made. There was such a great reaction to my pebble art creations, and it was clear there’s a real demand for unique gift ideas and beautifully handcrafted pieces.”
Kathryn Leonard of PaperTwigs at Bloom – pic by Rebecca Maguire
Kathryn Leonard, founder of PaperTwigs Designs reflects on her second experience at Bloom saying: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity – the atmosphere, the support, and the sheer number of people who stopped by made it unforgettable Working as a team with the Meath Made group made the entire experience even more special. There was a real sense of community – we cheered each other on and celebrated each win together. It’s opened doors to new stockists, collaborations and a wave of fresh inspiration.”
Denise McGee of Roisin and Robin Unique Gifts pic by Rebecca Maguire
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council said: “Bord Bia Bloom provides us with a great opportunity to support our creative cluster in Meath and I was very impressed by the high-quality works on sale during my visit to the Meath Made stand at Bloom. Selling and exhibiting at Bloom provides significant exposure for these Meath based businesses to showcase their products to a huge national audience and we’re delighted to give them support to make significant sales for the small enterprises.
“Hopefully, efforts like this will encourage more shoppers to choose locally made, Irish-designed products that are made with great skill right across the county. I was personally delighted to see Meath leading the way by being the only county to have their creative cluster come together to form a collective shop at Bloom.” Meath Made is a selective collective of Meath’s most creative artists, painters, jewellery makers, textile artists, designers, print makers, wood turners, ceramicists, sign writers, soap makers and lacemakers. Meath Made are currently preparing for a series of events during August Craft Month, “MEATH MADE Creates” – a weekend festival of creativity which will return to the Swift Cultural Centre in Trim on August 15 to 17. For more information on Meath Made visit www.meathmade.com to find out about upcoming events.
