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Tell us about your business and products?
Sarah McKenna Ceramics is true small-batch pottery - each piece starts from a bag of wet clay. Everything is made in Bridge Street Studios by me, Sarah, and my production assistant Avril. Our small team is helped out by Finn, who loves to glaze and adds a little muscle and height to the team.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have made Irish pottery and homewares in my workshop in Bridge Street Studios, an artist’s collective nestled within a 250-year-old stone grainstore in Dundalk, Co. Louth, for over two decades.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I believe in creating reminders that anchor positive feelings every day. From inspiring quotes to sentimental lyrics, my ceramics are adorned with messages that tug at the heartstrings and evoke smiles. I impress patterns and text into clay, forming a unique combination that conveys sentiments without uttering a word. Each piece links memories and sentiment to modern, functional forms, transforming everyday objects into cherished gifts and future heirlooms.
What are your brand values?
The Sarah McKenna Ceramics' brand values are sustainability, sentimentality and quality. We use sustainable packaging and materials to create our products. Our ceramics are also designed to be durable and long-lasting so they can be passed down for generations. Additionally, Sarah McKenna ceramics are often adorned with messages that evoke positive emotions and memories. This focus on sentimentality makes our products meaningful and personal.
What do you like most about what you do?
I make pottery and wall art from beautiful soft slabs of clay impressed with textured wallpaper and stamped with words. I love nostalgia and sentimentality and you can see that in my work. I want these pieces to give daily reminders of the good things in life. My pieces are the sum of many small details: the textures impressed into each slab of clay, the simple line drawings, the text imprinted with hot metal letterpress typeface, the wash of colours… and some pieces even include 18ct gold lustre.
Is this your first time exhibiting at Showcase Ireland?
No - 2004 was my first year.
If not, what advice would you give to first time exhibitors?
Stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes and make notes about everyone so you remember who you spoke to.
Where are your designs currently stocked?
Sarah McKenna Ceramics has a wide network of stockists throughout Ireland and internationally including Meadows & Byrne, Arnotts, Brown Thomas, Carlingford Design House, The Cat and The Moon and the Glasson Gallery in Ireland. In the USA we are stocked in Bennetts in Knoxville, Tennessee and The Bee's Knees British Imports in Acton, Massachusetts; and in Canada you'll find our products in The Irish Design House in Toronto.
Is sustainability an important aspect of your business?
Yes, sustainability is an important aspect of the Sarah McKenna Ceramics' business. The company is committed to sustainable practices throughout the production process, prioritising local sourcing of materials whenever possible, minimising waste and striving for a single use plastic free production environment.
What's new for Showcase 2025?
The new ‘Hope’ collection features stylised line drawings, vibrant glazes and thoughtful text. The collection's themes of resilience, perseverance and the enduring nature of memories are sure to resonate with customers. The use of bold colours and contrasting textures creates a visually stunning collection. I hope this collection will bring joy and hope to those who encounter it - it's a celebration of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.
Visit Sarah McKenna Ceramics at Stand C68 in the in DCCI Area.
