The winners of the Business of Craft Awards were announced this morning Monday as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2025 in the RDS. This initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices was brought in to recognise the businesses behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country.
The awards have four categories - Best Newcomer for the best craft and design business who is exhibiting for the first time, One to Watch for the best craft and design business who has excellent export and international potential, Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability and Best Visual Branding for the business who has outstanding branding across physical and online presences.
In the Sustainability Champion category, the winner was Rowena Sheen Jewellery, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Clare. The business stood out as an example of how sustainability can lead innovation. Rowena creates contemporary Irish jewellery using salvaged native Irish woods, recycled sterling silver and finished with Burren wildflower beeswax - by-product of her father’s honey business.
In the One to Watch category, the winner was One Dame Lane, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow. Established by Lyndsey Kavanagh in 2017, this sustainable jewellery company has a two-pronged approach to business with both a consumer store and online presence alongside a bespoke service that is tailored to the bridal market. The company is growing steadily and is planning to grow the business internationally in 2025.
The award for Best Newcomer went to Incredible Socks which is supported by Local Enterprise Office Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. Set up in 2023 by Marc Carey, this sock brand set out to create a premium product that wasn’t on the market by creating a sustainable eco-friendly range of bamboo fabric socks for men, women and children. Each pair sold also sees a contribution to three charities: Focus Ireland, Jigsaw and the Bombay Teen Challenge.
The final award, and a new addition for 2025, was Best Visual Branding, which went to Pawpear, supported by Local Enterprise Office Waterford. The illustrated stationery brand, in just their second year at Showcase, was selected for their exceptional visuals at the event that were consistent across their website and social channels.
Each of the 105 Local Enterprise Office supported companies who are taking part in Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2024 were eligible for the awards. The event takes place across three days where the companies will get to meet with national and international buyers from the craft and design sector.
Tom Rooney, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices, said: “Our winners today showcase exactly what a great Irish craft and design business looks like. They all have created beautiful products that consumers will enjoy but they have also built solid businesses behind those products. These are sustainable forward-thinking companies that have their eyes on bigger things, whether that be expanding their businesses, exporting into new markets or innovation in product design they all have extremely bright futures. The shortlist for these awards highlights how lucky we are to have such a strong cohort of craft and design businesses in Ireland and why they are renowned around the world.”
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception eight years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices have helped create over 75,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.
Discover all the exhibitors in the Local Enterprise Showcase here. 
