'Meath Made' showcase at Bloom
Some of County Meath’s best craft and design businesses will be part of this year’s Bord Bia Bloom event in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, including 13 members of 'Meath Made' who will be showcasing and selling their products at the five-day festival of gardening, food and fun.
Supported by the Local Enterprise Office, this year sees eight members from Meath Made, come together to operate a collective shop at Bloom, which will be located in the Grand Pavilion (stand number G117). Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with the makers behind the business and connect with Meath based craftspeople.
Three of the members told have spoken about what participating at this year’s event means to them:
Speaking from his workshop at Balmoral Industrial Estate in Navan, Brendan Killoran of Faber Furniture Design confirmed the positive impact of being a part of the Meath Made Collective. He said: "Being part of this creative collective is a fantastic opportunity for all designer makers in Meath".
He also expressed his excitement about the upcoming Bloom Festival: " I am absolutely delighted to be on the Meath Made stand. It’s great exposure to promote my business and offers great potential to reach a wider audience".
Denise McGee, owner of Roisin and Robin Unique Gifts said: "Attending Bloom is a huge opportunity for my small business, and I'm thrilled and grateful to LEO Meath for this chance to display my hand painted garden slate signs."
Speaking from her studio in Meath, Denise added: "As a lover of gardens, I find inspiration in nature for my artwork, and I am excited to launch my new collection of garden bird prints. It's truly a privilege to showcase them in such a remarkable venue alongside my fellow Meath Made members."
Anita Reynolds, Owner of Anita Reynolds Art & Design and current Chairperson of Meath Made said: “I am so proud of our wonderful group of creatives! Twelve of our members will attend Bloom this year which is amazing.
"Huge thanks to our Local Enterprise Office in Meath, for their support with the Meath Made stand where the exciting and diverse work of eight members will be displayed for the first time. Our bespoke stand is under construction by our own furniture designer Brendan Kiloran of Faber Furniture, and I can't wait to see the finished display.
"I am in the DCCI village again this year with three more members Siobhan Daly Designs, Clare O’Connor Designs and Deeca Designs also flying the flag for Meath Made. Make sure to call and visit us all over the five days.”
With the event taking place from 30th May – 3rd June, let's take a closer look at the members that will be showcasing and selling their products this year.
Brendan Killoran is a furniture designer and maker, creatig bespoke tables, cabinets, sideboards, lamps and commissions.
https://www.meathmade.com/makers/brendan-killora
Boann Irish Felt Designs is a collection of one of a kind hand felted shawls, accessories and artwork handmade by Caoimhe Tuthill from her home in Slane in the heart of the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath. Caoimhe uses the ancient craft of wet felting to make a distinctive style which is heavily influenced by her love of the Irish landscape, the natural world & her Neolithic surroundings.
https://www.meathmade.com/makers/caoimhe-tuthill
Dawn McGrath, the owner of Dawn McGrath Art, is an artist based in Trim Co Meath. Dawn works full-time from her studio creating beautiful original artworks that take inspiration from the beauty of nature and surrounding landscapes. Dawn creates collections, individual pieces and showcases her work through a number of selected exhibitions, while also working regularly on commissions. https://www.meathmade.com/makers/dawn-mcgrath
Anita is a full time artist working in ceramics and textiles from her studio in Ballivor. She is inspired by the natural and historic heritage of our island. Her work is joyful, vibrant and full of colour. She believes art should be a positive experience for the viewer. As well as supplying her work to shops and galleries in Ireland and abroad she takes commissions creating unique pieces for the special occasions in life. She also gives classes and workshops in ceramics and textiles from her studio. https://www.meathmade.com/makers/anita-reynolds
From her home studio in Wilkinstown, Co Meath, Kathryn Leonard creates products to inspire people to communicate through writing & stationary. The power of a handwritten note or card to brighten someone’s day and create long lasting treasured memories are the forefront in the design of the products. The beautiful countryside of Ireland, family connections, along with emotive quotes and words are the inspiration for much of the illustrations & designs. https://www.meathmade.com/makers/kathryn-leonard
Denise works from her studio in the beautiful countryside of County Meath. With a background in graphic design and traditional sign writing, she has combined these skills with her love of art to create bespoke cards, prints, wooden and slate pieces. "I help my client’s personalities shine through with my range of personalised door plaques and house numbers. All my gifts are made to order," said Denise.
https://www.meathmade.com/makers/denise-mcgee
Eileen McNulty is an Irish textile designer. Inspired by her homeland of Ireland and Irish Folklore tales, she uses traditional textile methods to create contemporary and truly unique Irish landscapes.
https://www.meathmade.com/makers/eileen-mcnulty
Eileen Smyth and Paula McGuinness are certified aromatherapists with a commitment to living in balance with nature in a holistic way. They have created an organic skin care range that is inspired by natural plant ingredients. Using only the purest of ingredients mostly sourced from the Boyne Valley, they are firm believers in the psychology of aromas and understand how aromas can uplift and rejuvenate while soothing the mind. Essential oils are blended giving a synergistic effect with every oil offering unique therapeutic values. The result is a product range that is kind to the skin, and kind to the planet.
https://www.meathmade.com/makers/paula-and-eileen
Linda discovered her passion for patchwork while working in Asia. Inspired by handcrafted quilts made in Cambodia, she began learning her craft in Malaysia. Linda creates patchwork pictures and quilts at her home studio in Peacockstown, using fabrics sourced during her travels and fabrics from internationally renowned designers acquired mainly from Irish quilting stores. Applique, collage, and thread painting are major elements: every offcut finds a home in her work. Locally made bespoke frames complete her pictures. The applique pictures, themed for children’s rooms, are bright and cheerful. Her landscape and animal collage are suitable for myriad settings.
https://www.meathmade.com/makers/linda-menton
Working together showcasing and selling some of the best quality designed products from Meath in the one place in front of a potential 100,000 buyers, is an incredible opportunity for the Meath Made exhibitors and now Meath Made is giving two people the chance to win tickets to the event to be able to be a part of this experience.
See Meath Made's Facebook or Instagram accounts for more details on how to win.