Irish companies are selling Irish heritage at Maison et Object, one of the biggest shows for interior design and decoration, which draws thousands of professionals to the City of Light.
For five days from tomorrow, Thursday, January 15th, 2026, Irish design competes with the best in the world at trade fair Maison et Objet in Paris.
“It is the most international of the shows,” explains Joe Queenan, managing director of Fordford, a company that has its roots in the north Mayo town since it was first set up by Irish sister of Charity nuns in 1892.
“You’re rubbing shoulders with the best in the world and meet buyers from the States, Canada, Japan and elsewhere.”
Based in north Co Mayo, Foxford is a firm that shows its range of throws at Maison, a show they’ve been attending since about 2008.
Last September marked their return after the Covid years, and next week they’re bringing a new collection of saturated brights in mohair.
This range will feature hot pink, flame red, Kerelaean blue and gold – ideal for those looking for a pop of strong colour, says Foxford designer Helen McAlinden.
These cost €159 each retail.
In addition, on display will be its cashmere collection in contemporary neutrals and heritage checks and its entry-level lambswool, which includes pastels, designed to suit bedroom schemes.
All will add texture to beds and sofas, and can be used for picnics and as a guard against a sudden drop in temperature on a summer’s evening.
In the north-west of the country is the luxury Irish woollen interiors and fashion firm McNutt of Donegal.
Based in the Donegal Gaeltacht of Downings, just up from the pier, the company weaves wool and linen in its seaside factory.
It is so close to the water and beach that you can practically smell the ozone from its new linen throw and cushion collection, which it will be debuting at the fair.
These feather-filled forms come in a range of sizes from a standard 40 cm square, about €84.95 retail, to a large 55cm square, about €100.00.
There’s also a bolster shape, 48cm by 30 cm, that sells for €77.50.
For those who love a natural look at the table, it will also be showing sand-washed shades of linen napkin sets, which cost €57.50, while the throws, which could also be used as picnic blankets or as large scarves, are named after Italian and French places from Tuscany to Capri and Bordeaux.
For Econest, based in Knocktallon in Co Monaghan, almost at the border with Co Armagh, it is their maiden trip to the show.
Run by husband and wife Barua and Rina Tilak, who have connections to Bangladesh, where they source their range of handwoven baskets and storage vessels.
This is a new departure for the family, who started in catering over 20 years ago and have developed a niche fashion business supplying school and medical uniforms.
They’re hoping to meet hospitality clients and independent retailers, and currently sell their range online.
The linen basket shown ranges in prices from about €71 to €90, retail, for example.
For Co Tipperary throw company John Hanly, this is their second year doing the show since Covid, says John Hanly, the fifth generation of the family to work in the business.
Its story started back in 1893, when Denis Hanly and his son John set up a vertical woollen mill beside the Nenagh river, in a disused flour mill in Ballyartella, North Tipperary.
Local farmers sold their fleeces to the mill, where wool was spun, carded and then woven into two main products: blankets and flannel fabric.
A fire in 1950 destroyed much of the factory, reducing it from six to two storeys and destroying the adjoining family home.
After that, the mill continued, but ceased its spinning and finishing, leaving just weaving as its core business.
Today, John’s father Brian Hanly, the fourth generation of Hanly, runs the business, 55 per cent of which is export, and it will be showing throws, blankets and cushions.
New to the collection will be a fine merino wool/angora mix.
It sources many of its cashmere yarns from Donegal Yarns, and its picnic blankets, €79.95 retail, are a heritage item to be passed down to children, along with the memories made using them.
Our mill in Ballyartella remains the beating heart of what we do – yet our story goes around the world.
We are proud to supply top brands, designers and quality retailers in a wealth of countries – including Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, U.K., U.S.A., Spain, Japan and Korea.
Maison et Objet takes place in Paris from Thursday, January 15th to Monday, January 19th inclusive.
