Bó Bar Soap from Kilkenny has won the Best Newcomer award at the Business of Craft Awards 2026.
The awards were part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at the RDS, celebrating Ireland’s top craft and design businesses.
The family-run company makes handmade cow’s milk soaps in small batches and has been identified as having strong growth and export potential.
The winners of the Business of Craft Awards have been announced as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026 in the RDS. This initiative, by the Local Enterprise Offices, was introduced to recognise the businesses behind the amazing craft and design products that are created across the country.
The awards had three categories; Best Newcomer for the best craft and design business who is exhibiting for the first time, One to Watch for the best craft and design business who has excellent export and international potential, and Sustainability Champion for the best craft and design business who is excelling in sustainability.
In the Newcomer category the winner was Bó Bar Soap, who have been supported by Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny. Their signature offering is a handmade cow’s milk soap created in small batches using milk from grass fed cows. The family-run business was identified as having significant growth potential with a defined sales and export plan for what is a unique product.
Each of the 104 Local Enterprise Office supported companies who took part in Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase 2026 were eligible for the awards. The event took place across three days and the companies got to meet with national and international buyers from the craft and design sector.
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh said “Congratulations to Bó Bar Soap on this fantastic achievement. This recognition is a testament to their exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and commitment to quality, and it reflects great credit on both the business and our local community. Showcase demonstrates why Irish craft and design is so highly regarded across the world and why we have so many buyers visiting Showcase this weekend to see the very best of the best.”
Showcase 2026, a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar, opened its doors to over 3,350 buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, and is forecast to generate €32million worth of sales orders during the show. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.
