Making it Work

Sustainable focus pays off for Clare-based soap company

Palm Free Irish Soap is stocked by 450 retailers in Ireland, and its owners have plans to expand its export business this year

Tony, Jade and Sorcha Hoynes of Palm Free Irish Soap: their soaps are made with fresh rainwater and packaged in compostable paper bags

Tony and Kathy Hoynes were never supposed to end up living in Killaloe, but a wrong turn on a car journey in 1996 resulted in them settling and starting a successful business in the Co Clare town.

“We were over from London trying to find a holiday home, but we got lost leaving Kilkenny and ended up in Killaloe,” said Tony Hoynes, who was brought up in Luton by Irish parents.

“We loved it, so ...