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Limerick based company Fabricate Ireland wins big at the ILDN Regional Mid-West Awards

Karen Cunneen Bilbow won the ILDN Region Mid-West Award for her company Fabricate Ireland. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22.

Limerick based company Fabricate Ireland wins big at the ILDN Regional Mid-West Awards

By ilovelimerick correspondent Chloe Reidy

Karen Cunneen Bilbow, entrepreneur and the Founder of Fabricate Ireland has won the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) Regional Mid-West Awards. Fabricate Ireland is a company that designs and manufactures unique lampshades and interiors furnishings that are inspired by nature to create functional art for the home.


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Karen is a Lampshade Maker and Textile Artist from Limerick. She started Fabricate from her home in 2018 and is now based at Burlington Business Park on the Limerick Clare border. Fabricate also delivers craft training and workshops. 

Karen Cunneen Bilbow said, “I was delighted to win the award. I believe as long as you have the passion, motivation and support, anything is possible. I am a proud Limerick businesswoman, and this award is recognition for all of my hard work.”

Fabricate Ireland

Fabricate Ireland produces unique lampshades and interiors furnishings that are inspired by nature to create functional art for the home. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22.

Karen studied at Limerick School of Art and Design and received her Diploma and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Art Printmaking from LSAD in 1995 & 1997. She developed the idea for Fabricate in 2018 after losing her job and deciding to make a career out of her passion for art.

The first lampshade Karen created was for her nieces’ nursery as she could not find any to her liking on the high streets or online. She received immense responses to her creativity and artistic skill, which encouraged her to follow this pathway in her life.

Karen gathers inspiration for her work from nature, and it stems from the beautiful Irish landscapes and wildlife. She uses natural fibres in her work, and most of the wools in her felted pieces are hand-dyed and come from Sligo.

Karen has previously featured on TV3 in early 2018 and the demand from customers led Karen to set-up her online store.

The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) Regional Mid-West Awards are part of a national initiative, with the aim to recognise the success of newly established businesses across the country which have been set up with the support of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.

For more information on Fabricate Ireland, go here.

For more information on The Irish Local Development Network, go here.

For more stories on entrepreneurs, go here.

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