Every card has a story
This Christmas, we’re celebrating the creativity, passion, and craft of Ireland’s most inspiring card makers. Every Card Has a Story is a 12 part series that shines a light on the people behind the designs, the artists, illustrators, printers, and storytellers who help us stay connected through the simple act of sending a card.
From traditional techniques to modern Irish design, each maker brings something uniquely their own. Their cards carry more than messages, they carry care, culture, and the joy of sharing something made with heart.
Whether you’re posting a note across the road or across the world, these stories remind us why a card still matters. Explore the makers, discover new favourites, and be inspired to send a little love near and far this Christmas.
Rachel Corcoran
With intricate illustrations that hide secret details and celebrate Irish culture, Rachel Corcoran creates greeting cards designed to become treasured keepsakes.
Prints of Ireland
Heather Gilroy couldn’t find well-designed Irish language cards, so she created her own. Now her business Prints of Ireland has helped spark a revival in as Gaeilge greetings.
Kilcoe Studios
From watercolour flowers to sustainable packaging, Sonia Caldwell’s business proves that greeting cards can be both beautiful and environmentally conscious.
Little Paper Mill
There’s something special about opening a card, displaying it on your mantelpiece, and being reminded of the person who sent it, says Aisling Howley, founder of Little Paper Mill.
Duck Blue
What started as a tentative venture following the birth of her first child has become a successful greeting card business stocked in the National Gallery. Ruth Cahill of Duck Blue discusses her creative process and the joy of daily chats with her local post depot workers.
Bold Bunny
Graphic designer Ali Jones swapped corporate meetings for a career creating contemporary greeting cards. Fifteen years on, she reveals what makes Bold Bunny distinctive, why Christmas is crucial, and how a simple card can bring sparkle back to someone’s day.
Art Cards Ireland
Marion Hancock identified a gap in the market for contemporary cards by Irish artists. She shares the realities of building a greeting card business, from convincing artists to take a chance to navigating the crucial Christmas season.
Plunkett Press
Using a rescued 1950s letterpress and traditional techniques, Coibhe Butler creates greeting cards with a difference, each one hand-printed, deeply embossed, and designed to remind us that physical post is a meaningful, sustainable way to connect.
Love From Ireland
Gwen Ryan launched Love From Ireland from her Burren in 2024 with a simple premise: people still love sending and receiving physical cards but the process needs to be easier.
Ha'penny Design
In a world of instant messages and digital overload, Michelle Goode is championing the art of the handwritten card. Her business, Ha’penny Design, combines vintage Irish charm with eco-friendly values.
Maktus
Tired of pints on postcards, Aidan Prior launched Maktus to create greeting cards that represent contemporary Ireland and discovered a market hungry for something different.
