Palm Free Irish Soap, Ireland’s leading producer of natural, handmade skincare and beauty products has won the Sustainability Champion award at the Business of Craft Awards.
The Craft Expo which took place at the RDS is supported by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and it was the first year the awards celebrated the business behind the craft and design products. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.
Among the three categories which include The Newcomer Category, One To Watch and Sustainability Champion; 9 finalists were shortlisted.
Based in Killaloe, Co. Clare, the Hoyne family founded the business after Kathy researched alternatives to mass produced chemical-laden soaps for their young family. Experimenting using their own recipes for creating unique soap, they began to formulate with organic plant-based herbs, skin nurturing essential oils, vegetable oils and pure fresh filtered rainwater as the key ingredients used in their holistic approach.
Their offerings leave the skin feeling soft, pampered, and gently cleansed and the hair silky soft and shiny! Whilst their Organic based Deodorants protect and subtly scent the delicate underarm area. Their products are made with love and compassion for the environment and a minimal carbon footprint!
The multi-award-winning company supply their handcrafted products to approximately 450 retailers nationally including Dunnes Stores, Nourish independent health stores, Horans, Evergreen Health Stores, Carrolls Gift Shops with further stockists in the UK, and they are about to move into the US market.
With growing awareness of pollution created on a global scale, consumer attitudes are changing. Palm Free Irish soap has been at the forefront for the past 27 years, Formulating an award-winning Sustainable innovative natural hair and skincare range.
They forgo all fancy packaging and opt for a greener, simple compostable paper bag which they still use to this day. The focus is purely on the striking eye-catching beauty of the artisan soaps which are sold naked.
All products are 100% Vegan, and they are now registered with “Guaranteed Irish”.
In March 2023, Palm Free won the ‘Waste Prevention Award’ at the prestigious Pakman Awards; Ireland’s leading National Environmental Awards.
Other awards include – July 2022, ‘’Free from Skincare Awards’’ which covers the UK and all of Europe: –
Gold medal in Best ‘Haircare’ category for their new TLC Shampoo Bar
Silver medal in Best ‘Haircare’ for their new TLC Conditioner Bar
Silver medal in the ‘Men’s Grooming Category’ for their ‘Thyme Travel’ Shampoo and Shaving Bar
Bronze medal in the ‘Soap’ Category for their Classic Lavender Soap
Bronze medal in the ‘Best Brand’ Category.
They are very proud to have also won 3 x National “Green Awards” for Best Green Micro Business in 2020, 2021 & 2022.
Tony Hoynes, the co-founder of Palm Free said, ‘’Now that we’ve had time to process last weekend, we would like to express our immense gratitude and thanks to all of our amazing supporters, our customers, and our team who’ve all helped to make Palm Free Irish Soap a success at this year’s Showcase expo. We are over the moon to have been recognised in this category, and to have won it has made all our hard work worthwhile.
We would like to thank our Local Enterprise Office Clare for hosting the event and honouring us with the ‘Sustainability Champion’ award.’’