A CROSSHAVEN-based company, McWilliam Bags, was named runner-up in the small business category by the Design and Crafts Council as part of the Irish Business Design Challenge 2025.

The IBDC awards are backed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and had a prize fund in this, its fifth year, of €50,000,

A total of 33 businesses across Ireland entered the design challenge competition and just eight companies were shortlisted.

Claire Morgan of McWilliam Bags showcasing one of their durable and sustainable designs. (Photo: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland)

The judges evaluated each entry based on the innovation of the product, its environmental quality, economic prosperity, social equity, and for having a sustainable design at its core.   

The two outright winners in the micro and small business categories were both Dublin based, and each company was presented with €20,000.

The Crosshaven company was named runner up in the small business category for its durable, handmade bags, alongside Gemell, a Dublin based company that builds software for the fabric industry, in the micro category. Both companies were awarded €5,000.

The purpose of the Irish Business Design Challenge is to showcase and support businesses that are committed to innovation and sustainable design as part of a circular economy.

McWilliam Bags certainly fits that brief because for 50 years leftover sails have been turned into durable bags, marked with the famous strip. Some regard a McWilliams bag as more than just an accessory, they regard it as a tool, part of the kit.

Barry Hayes and his wife Claire Morgan took over the business formerly run by Des McWilliams and his family about nine years ago and in November 2023 they opened the McWilliam Sailing Shop in Crosshaven, a first for the village.

McWilliam Bags is now a Certified B Corporation, which recognises its commitment to zero-waste design, sustainable materials, local jobs, and bags that last a lifetime.

In addition to not contributing to the pollution of the earth and the ocean, the company helps in the removal of one pound of plastic waste from it with every order placed.

Through its partnership with Ecodrive, McWilliam Bags has already removed over 2000 lbs of plastic in working for a cleaner, greener, more mindful approach to doing business.