Limerick entrepreneur wins €50,000 to bring jewellery business to wider audience
The win will put the entrepreneur’s brand in front of thousands of new customers
LIMERICK native Seán Leddin, founder of Irish jewellery brand Fíor Jewellery, has been announced as the winner of Carrolls Irish Gifts’ €50,000 Fáilte 2026 Growth Package.
The announcement comes as applications for Fáilte hit a record high in 2026, increasing by 79% on last year.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative has attracted more than 220 applications from Irish businesses looking to bring their products to a wider audience.
Founded by Gaeilgeoir and entrepreneur Seán Leddin, Fíor Jewellery creates contemporary jewellery inspired by Irish language, heritage and identity.
Fíor was born from Seán's own experience of living and working abroad and missing the familiarity of home. He wanted to create something that felt “unmistakably Irish” but could still be worn every day, wherever in the world you happened to be.
That idea grew into Fíor Jewellery, with the name coming from the Irish word fíor, meaning "true" or "real".
Fíor has amassed over 50,000 customers worldwide, and boasts over 70,000 followers across social media.
The jewellery company was first developed by Sean when he was 21, while he was studying Business and French in UL.
Sean told Limerick Live earlier this year that the business began as a literal cottage industry, with the young man mailing the pieces to customers from his home in envelopes from Mr Price.
He explained that, at the time, he had never even posted anything before Fíor Jewellery, let alone sold anything via post.
Today, the brand's collections put a contemporary spin on familiar elements of Irish culture and language, including its Ireland Map, Grá and Claddagh-inspired pieces, and have attracted a growing customer base both in Ireland and overseas.
As the Fáilte 2026 winner, Fíor will receive a €50,000 support package from Carrolls Irish Gifts, including retail space, online visibility, marketing and media support, mentorship and expertise.
For Seán and the Fíor team, the win will put the brand in front of thousands of new customers, while giving them hands-on support from a team with decades of experience bringing Irish products to customers at home and overseas.
Seán said: "Fíor really came from my own experience of living abroad and wanting something that made me feel connected to home and to the Irish language. I never imagined at the time that it would grow into what it is today, so being named the Fáilte 2026 winner is a huge moment for us. Having Fíor on shelves in Carrolls and getting that support from a team who really understands Irish products and customers is an incredible opportunity. I'm really excited to see where we can take the brand next."
Peter Hyland, CEO of Carrolls Irish Gifts, commented: "Fíor stood out for its strong understanding of both its customer and its identity, taking Irish language and heritage and translating them into contemporary, commercially strong products. Supporting Irish businesses has always been at the heart of Carrolls, and Fáilte is another way for us to help homegrown brands reach their potential.
“Applications hit a record high this year, up 79%, showing the strong appetite among Irish entrepreneurs for opportunities like Fáilte. We're delighted to welcome Fíor to our stores and support Seán and his team as they take this exciting next step."