Mum of three and former Montessori teacher Gillian Kavanagh is the founder of Beyond the Ferns - a handmade soap company based in Co. Wicklow whose long list of trade customers include Avondale House and Forest Park, Killruddery House and Gardens, and The Leitrim Design House. 

Tell us about your products.

We create 100% natural handmade soaps that are made in small batches using the traditional method - cold process. Each soap is a blend of quality plant-based oils, botanicals, and pure essential oils that are designed to nourish the skin and to delight the senses while supporting sustainable and eco-conscious living. Minimal, plastic-free packaging reflects the brand’s commitment to the environment. Locally sourced ingredients support and celebrate Irish craftsmanship. Every soap is created to capture the essence of natural luxury. 

Tell us more about yourself.

I’m Gillian, a mother of three and former Montessori teacher. I discovered natural soapmaking while seeking safe, toxin-free products for my family. Eager to explore the craft, I quickly became captivated by cold process soapmaking, developing it into a passion and a skill I have since honed with dedication and artistry. Inspired by woodland walks and the benefits of nature, I began experimenting with plant-based oils, botanicals and essential oils. What started as a personal passion soon grew into Beyond the Ferns, a brand dedicated to creating handmade soaps that nurture the skin, delight the senses, and ultimately bring users of the products a little bit of goodness in every lather. 

Where do you get your inspiration?

My approach to soapmaking mirrors that of an artist approaching a painting. Every batch is carefully crafted with intention, blending colours, textures and scents to create something nurturing and visually inspiring. Just as a painting tells a story, my soaps are designed to evoke moments of calm and connection to nature, which remains the truest form of inspiration for my work. 

What inspired the name of your brand?

The name Beyond the Ferns signifies a place of pureness and tranquillity, a space where nature can cleanse and heal the mind, body and soul. Painting has long been a therapeutic outlet for me, and when deciding on the name, a painting I created years ago, when my youngest was three, came to mind. As a visual person, I wanted a name that could transport the mind to nature at its best, evoking memories of woodland walks filled with calm and wonder. Time in the forest always feels like a mindful cleanse - an experience I hope every soap can recreate. 

What are your brand values? 

Beyond the Ferns is built on sustainability, quality and authenticity. Our 100% natural, biodegradable soaps protect plant life, animal life and waterways, with ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. Using traditional soapmaking methods ensures exceptional quality, while minimal, plastic-free packaging reflects our eco-conscious ethos. Every product is crafted with care, artistry and environmental responsibility, embodying a deep respect for nature and the belief that mindful, ethical practices create meaningful, sustainable self-care. 

What do you like most about what you do? 

What I like most about my work is the chance to transform creativity into something that nourishes the body, soothes the soul and delights the senses. The art of soapmaking is a meditative, therapeutic ritual where colours, textures and scents are carefully orchestrated to create bars of soap that can even be a surprise to the maker until they are first cut, to reveal soap designs that feel like little pieces of art. There's also that extra bit of joy in witnessing the wonder on someone’s face as they first encounter my soap. Receiving positive feedback is always a reminder that each handcrafted bar carries the ability to care and provides moments of mindful indulgence to those who use it.

Is this your first time exhibiting at Showcase Ireland?

Yes.

Who are your current stockists? 

Project 29, 29 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.

Whole Health Centre, Tesco Shopping Centre, Churchview Road, Ballybrack, Dublin.

Sea Salt, West Barrow, Tralee, Kerry. 

The Green Angel Trading Co, Pipe Street, Thomastown, Kilkenny. 

The Leitrim Design House, The Docks Arts Centre, St George’s Terrace, Carrick-On-Shannon, Leitrim. 

Brother Bear, Kilcornan, V94W425, Limerick. 

Blath by Kerrie Bedell, 30 St Mary St, Dungarvan, Waterford. 

The Book Resort, Whitfield North, Butlerstown, Waterford. 

Dusty Boy, Ballyboggan Lower, Castlebridge, Wexford. 

Beyond the Trees, Avondale House & Gardens, Rathdrum, Wicklow. 

Coach House | Roundwood Stores, Main Street, Roundwood, Wicklow. 

Distrikt by Mia, Earlton House, Unit 1, South Quay, Wicklow Town, Wicklow. 

Killruddery House & Gardens, Farm Shop, Bray, Wicklow. 

The Farmshop, Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Arklow, Wicklow.

The Wilds, Beehive, Coolbeg, Wicklow. 

Is sustainability an important aspect of your business? 

From the very beginning, the ethos of Beyond the Ferns has been rooted in sustainability and respect for nature. By choosing to make only 100% natural soaps using traditional methods, we ensure the highest quality products while minimising environmental impact. Wherever possible, ingredients are sourced locally, and foraged botanicals are used to celebrate and connect with the natural environment. 

Our packaging reflects the same philosophy: minimal, plastic-free and thoughtfully designed, it complements the soap without overshadowing it, combining a natural aesthetic with a modern twist. Every soap is 100% biodegradable.The brand embraces the belief that our ancestors often ‘got it right the first time’. By using traditional methods, we maintain a focus on quality, sustainability and authenticity - values that remain at the heart of Beyond the Ferns. 

What's new for Showcase 2026?  

We will be launching our new concrete soap dishes and one or two new soaps - watch this space!

Find Beyond the Ferns at Stand L60 in the Local Enterprise Office Showcase.