Tracy Fry of Tracy Fry Art with Fiona Lynch and collie Leia of Almond Rose Designs, with Nikki Campbell and Grainne McKeown of LEO Louth. Photo: Jenny Callanan Photography
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Louth is gearing up to champion three ambitious Louth-based creative businesses as they prepare to exhibit at Showcase 2026, Ireland’s flagship international trade event for craft, design and giftware.
Taking place at the RDS Dublin from Sunday 18 to Tuesday 20 January 2026, Showcase brings together more than 400 Irish brands and thousands of buyers from Ireland, the UK, Europe, the USA and beyond, offering a powerful platform for creative enterprises to grow their international reach.
“Showcase is a major commercial opportunity for creative businesses who are ready to scale,” said Gráinne McKeown, Local Enterprise Office Louth.
“It places Irish design and crafts in front of influential buyers from around the world, and we are proud to support three Louth businesses who are well positioned to make the most of this opportunity.”
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LEO Louth says the three Louth makers exhibiting at Showcase 2026 reflect the quality, originality and entrepreneurial spirit in the county’s creative sector.
Almond Rose Designs, based in Clogherhead, Louth, crafts eco-friendly, pet-themed greeting cards celebrating the special bond between pets and their owners. Founded by graphic designer Fiona, and assisted by her collies, Lexie and Leia, the brand also offers bespoke cards for businesses, delighting animal lovers, retailers, and pet-related enterprises alike. See the full range here.
Louth-based artist Tracy Fry creates striking resin maps, landscapes, and symbolic copper pieces inspired by nature and Irish heritage. Her work combines topography, texture, and storytelling, producing contemporary, handcrafted artworks with timeless character. Explore her creations here.
Attending Showcase for the first time, Dundalk jeweller Rebecca McDermott creates handcrafted fine jewellery inspired by the sea, shoreline textures, and natural imperfection. Working sustainably with recycled metals and ethically sourced stones, she creates these pieces in her coastal workshop, producing elegant, timeless pieces that are hallmarked in Dublin Castle. Discover her collection here
Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive of Louth County Council, concludes "Supporting creative enterprise is central to our vision for a thriving local economy, and events like Showcase not only open doors for individual businesses but also strengthen Louth’s reputation as a hub for innovation and design.
"These three talented makers demonstrate the quality and originality that set our county apart, and we are committed to helping them succeed on the national and international stage."
Showcase is Ireland’s Creative Expo, a flagship international trade event and a key commercial platform for Ireland’s creative sector. Each year, the show attracts more than 3,350 buyers from Ireland, the UK, the USA, mainland Europe and the Far East, generating sales orders in excess of €25.6 million over three days.
It presents the very best of Ireland’s emerging and established creative talent across craft, design and giftware. The event is hosted by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with the support of Enterprise Ireland, and features over 400 Irish brands, including many businesses supported by their Local Enterprise Offices. Showcase is a trade-only event.
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