Some of Meath’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 as part of Local Enterprise Showcase at the 2026 Showcase event in the RDS, running from Sunday, 18 January to Tuesday, 20 January. 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. Marlese Made, Brownstown Handmade Crafts, Ion Candles and Púróga Pebble Art will all represent Meath.
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, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show.
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.
Recent participants from Meath include the likes of Anita Reynolds, Art & Design, Siobhán Daly Design, Clare O’Connor Design, Bríd Fanning Art, Boyne Valley Wools, An Gobha, The Handmade Soap Company, Deeca Designs, Wonderland Soaps, A.N Candles. Tom King also known as An Gobha, won the overall best Product Award at Showcase 2023.
In 2025, there were thousands of national and international buyers in attendance at the event in the RDS and it is expected this will increase again in 2026. Local Enterprise Office Meath has been working with Marlese Made, Brownstown Handmade Crafts, Ion Candles and Púróga Pebble Art on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event.
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council said: “I am delighted but not surprised to see Meath so well represented with fantastic talent at Showcase 2026. “Our craft and design businesses are the creative heartbeat of our county, and Meath County Council remains fully committed to supporting their growth and championing their talent. I have no doubt they will all shine on the national stage at the RDS this weekend.”
Nicola McMurray of Íon Candle Co said: “Following the success of Showcase 2025 where we secured nine new stockists across Ireland, exhibiting again at Showcase 2026 is a strategic step forward for Íon Candle Co. Reconnecting with those buyers and meeting new contacts demonstrates our continued growth, investment and commitment, reinforcing our vision where Íon Candle Co. is a serious and credible contender in the home fragrance market.”
Caoimhe Delany, Local Enterprise Office, Meath said: “We are delighted to have four creative businesses from Meath at the Local Enterprise Showcase this year. The opportunities at this show are huge. Clients from Meath will have the chance to meet with buyers specific to their market from across the island of Ireland, securing new orders for the year ahead.
“Showcase 2026 also opens doors to buyers from many countries around world, presenting new export opportunities, that they simply would not get anywhere else.”
Local Enterprise Showcase is one of several enterprise initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices across the year to foster entrepreneurship and help small businesses to start and grow. 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 supports they can provide, please visit LocalEnterprise.ie
