Ireland is full of enterprise and entrepreneurial creativity, ranking third in Europe for entrepreneurs with “high jobs growth” expectations in the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report.

If you would like to know more about local startups, then the local enterprise village is a hub of innovation.

A celebration of small Irish businesses, there’s a little something for everyone with over 30 small businesses exhibiting.

Consumer-focused products

With a range of consumer-focused products, from every area across the country, it’s definitely one to visit at Ratheniska.

Some of our top picks are outlined here.

SUIP Manufacturing

Supported by LEO Sligo

During the recession, Pius McCloat lost his job with a window manufacturer. With an engineering and metal fabrication background, he set about putting these skills to use. In 2015, he set up SUIP with the intention of creating a ride-on lawnmower/ATV sprayer attachment.

Pius McCloat from SUIP Manufacturing in Co Sligo. \ Joe Keogh

This would easily allow gardeners to spray their lawns or large areas without the use of heavy farming equipment. Pius didn’t stop there and once the SUIP sprayer was created he continued to innovate. The range now includes ATV Superboom and the SUIProtector ATV lock, which was successfully patented in 2018. He sells directly across Ireland and also exports to the UK.

Jo Browne

Supported by LEO Carlow

Jo Browne, named after its founder, was born out of a passion for the finer things in life.

A lightbulb moment came when Jo realised that new restrictions around air travel were impacting on the ability of travellers to bring beautiful scents around the world on their holidays and trips.

Jo Browne.

She began looking into solid perfumes and, soon, the idea took off.

This extended out to essential oils, diffusers and candles and now Jo has a full range of interiors products, all of which are grounded in sustainability.

Jo Browne.

Jo is one of the first Irish companies to use sustainable bamboo, as an exciting fabric, beauty ingredient, and packaging product and her range includes luxury silk bamboo face masks, bedding and face cloths.

Lucy & Me

Supported by LEO South Dublin

Nightfeeds for Sarah Power were spent scouring the internet for the right décor and furniture for her new little girl.

It got so bad that her husband would ask every morning: “What did we buy last night?”. When Sarah realised that there was a lack of quality Irish handmade furniture and interiors for children, she said ‘why don’t I set it up?’

In 2017, Sarah set up Lucy & Me and the company has gone from strength to strength. In 2021, it won the Best EU Luxury Children’s Furniture title at the Prestige Awards. It grew its online presence and has a physical presence in Arnotts, alongside some world-renowned brands such as FAO Schwarz and Pottery Barn Kids.

Brady’s Coffee

Supported by LEO Wicklow

The Brady family have been coffee lovers for as long as they can remember. Craig Brady, a former competitive cyclist, only had one vice, coffee.

Brady's Barrel Aged Coffee.

So he was constantly on the lookout for the perfect brew. In 2005, he began roasting his own coffee in the quest for perfection. Twelve years later, after many years of talking, Craig was joined by his brother Darren, his father Craig and one year later, his wife Catherine, as they set up Brady’s Coffee.

Geared towards the souvenir and Irish gift market they have two brands: Brady’s Coffee and BARE which focuses on speciality coffees and cold brew.

One of their more unique products includes an Irish whiskey barrel aged coffee.