Powered By People - Local Business Edition

Community 3 min read

03 Dec 2020

This Christmas season here at the credit union, we're shouting out local Irish businesses to encourage people to make a concious effort to stay local and buy Irish in the run up to Christmas. 2020, as a whole, has been a tough year for everyone. However, throughout the pandemic we've seen the importance of our local community and how we are all Powered By People. 

Week 2 of our campaign sees a range of businesses  our campaign we've featured five Irish owned and operated businesses who shared with us their stories. From poems to floral design, to books about trucks and everything in between, there's something for everyone in Powered By People. 

Howth Boats  

Howth Boats are a charter fishing service based on the West Pier in Howth. They offer full-day, half-day or evening fishing trips for up to 10 passengers per trip (since the covid-19 pandemic, our numbers have reduced to 8). The team at HowthBoats cater to a variety of groups from beginners, to older children to anyone or everyone who wants to enjoy a day of fishing. 
Skipper David, comes from generations of fishermen involved in the fishing industry. He has over 35 years fishing experience, and is advanced and well skilled in his trade. Howth Boats always do their best to provide customers with optimal catches and the best fishing experience possible. They also provide full fishing gear and bait if required. 
 
In light of the Christmas season and the restrictions, Howth Boats are currently selling gift vouchers to give a unique gift to your loved ones this festive season.  
 
Check them out on Instagram or email howthboats@gmail.com for more information.  

SIAR Photography  

SIAR meaning “West” or Westward” in Irish, is a range of contemporary photographic prints of the Irish landscape & culture. Behind the lens is Gary Collins, a photographer based in Ennis Co. Clare.   
His photography story began when he toured the world with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. Dancing shoes on and camera in hand he began documenting the landscapes and cultures of his travels. On returning to Ireland the journey to set up SIAR Photography began.  

SIAR photography sell contemporary prints of original photos of Ireland, its landscape, heritage & culture. All the photos are taken by Gary and repurposed in different ways. Gary has just launched a bespoke range of tote bags, notebooks & cards featuring his photos. Check them out on Twitter Facebook and Instagram or visit their website  

BigPix Media   

The business provides a portable LED billboard which allows clients to display numerous images or videos. This technology makes the billboard extremely evident once darkness falls. We are based in Cork and serve all of Cork and surrounding areas. We offer clients a more eye-catching service to the traditional alternative, in addition to allowing clients to use their online content offline, such as Facebook or Instagram videos. 
Check them out on Instagram, or visit www.bigpixmedia.ie 

Iris Floral Design  

The Iris Floral Design is located on 18 Parliament Street in Kilkenny owned by two girls Sevdalina and Karolina.  They are passionate about their work, they are flowering good ideas and have solutions for all your floral needs, delivering smiles daily. 

Irish Floral Design products are unique and are ready and able to provide a superior floral service with fresh flowers that you enjoy and we are proud of. Their goal is to bring a smile on faces. They are ready to send flowers for any occasion you can think off, such as: Birthday, Anniversary, Thank You, Congratulations, Get Well, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Sympathy Flowers and Arrangements and Seasonal Greeting Arrangements 

‘You bring the thoughts - we will bring the flowers’. They deliver fresh flowers in Kilkenny City and surroundings. Same day delivery! You can find more details on their Facebook, Instagram or visit their website   

MAKA ceramics  

MAKA ceramics is a female-owned small Irish business established in 2017 by Marz Lawler & Karen Cody. Our work is handmade in our wooden cabin studio nestled in a wildflower field located in the beautiful Kilkenny countryside.   
 

Their range consists of a combination of hand-thrown functional white stoneware ceramic homewares and carefully hand-molded flatware. The pieces are vibrantly decorated with a mixture of simple abstract shapes and mark making. The designs are hand-painted using a combination of brush & sponge work, which are then twice fired at 1220 degrees in an electric kiln.   

As a business MAKA represents what's possible if you have an idea & a splash of creativity. We came from two different creative backgrounds but share a common passion for design and colour. Colour has an amazing ability to affect a person's mood and pairing that with good product design is what MAKA represents and is inspired by.  

‘As makers, we recognise the importance of everyday design; how your favorite mug feels in your hand, and how it holds just the right amount of coffee to get you through the morning’.  

We think it's so important as Irish Ceramic designers that we evolve and grow developing new ideas, keeping the whole creative designing process fun and interesting. We both love to see our work as vessels that allow us to combine pattern, shape, and design. 

You can find MAKA ceramics on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and website   

Vroom-Town  

Vroom-Town is a series of children’s books about trucks! Vroom-Town is a wonderful place where all types of trucks, live, work and have exciting adventures! Author, Emer Conlon was inspired to write this series of books from her ‘day-job’ as Marketing Manager of a Scania Truck Dealer – there were no books about trucks in existence so Emer decided to write some!  

To date, there are six books in the series, two of which also have version written as Gaeilge. Some of the endearing characters in this series include: - Sparkle, Vabis, BullyDozer, Terrible Terry, Tim the Tipper, Tang Arnold, Daisy, Noz and many more! The books are available in Eason and in all bookshops throughout Ireland. 

 
Vroom Town have a wonderful website: www.Vroom-Town.ie (also available ‘as Gaeilge’) where children can learn more about their favourite characters and play some fun and educational games!  
The Vroom-Town books would of course make great Christmas pressies for girls and boys aged 2-7 years! Check them out today and remember #GiveTheGiftOfReading 


If you are a local business and would like to feature throughout this series, we’d love to hear from you. Simply DM us on Instagram @creditunion_ or send us and email to imagine@creditunion.ie . Include a blurb on what your business is and a link to any social media channels or websites. We can't wait to hear from you!