North Tipperary & Fingal Businesses ‘Fly the Flag’ across the Atlantic

Irish products to be unveiled include artisan food products, Celtic gifts and multifunctional headwear

Twelve small businesses are set to ‘fly the flag’ for Ireland abroad and have  travelled  to New Jersey to showcase their products and secure export sales at the Ireland Show.
Targeting the lucrative Irish-American gifts and craft market, the businesses are meeting influential buyers and industry leaders at the four day show, which runs s from Saturday (April 16th) to Tuesday (April 19th) in Secaucus on America’s East Coast.
Representing sectors across food, fashion, craft, art, giftware, music, heraldic goods and furnishings, the Tipperary North and Fingal-based businesses are jointly supported by the two local Enterprise Boards.
Meetings with buyers and enterprise development executives have been pre-arranged for the small business owners by the Enterprise Boards and according to an Enterprise Board representative, the entrepreneurs are expecting to secure substantial orders. “This influential trade event gives smaller businesses an opportunity to impress potential buyers from across America and Canada, helping them to break into the North American market for the first time or to secure orders from more retail outlets than before.”
Meanwhile, many of the Tipperary North companies will have already participated at the Celtic Market Place in Lombard, Chicago and at the Irish Fest in Milwaukee. Rita Guinan, CEO with the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board said: “To maximize the opportunities for the small businesses travelling to New Jersey, we’ve arranged meetings with An Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland New York office and the North American Celtic Traders Association.  These links and contacts prove very useful, long after the event has finished.  For example, the Enterprise Boards can help U.S. buyers to source other Irish-made products through our nationwide networks of contacts, leading to significant exports down the line.”
Local businesses from Tipperary North taking part include Crossogue Preserves, Irish Turf Peat (incense), FLM Distribution (Irish music albums) and The Scullery (handmade sauces). In addition, products and samples from The Ant Team (greeting cards), Rath Art (keyrings), Gaelic4orce rappa (headwear), Julia Agnes (hats and fashion accessories), Meli Aran (crocheted bags) and Mary Pickering Art will also be showcased, through the Tipperary North County Enterprise Board stand.