Irish entrepreneurs birthing businesses from child's play

ENTERPRISING Cork dad Niall McCarthy has turned an idea — customising children’s furniture with their own artwork — into a successful business.

Decorated with kids’ own drawings, the pint-sized tables, lockers and chests-of-drawers have become so popular that even adults are getting in on the act, asking him to customise grown-up pieces such as dressers and sideboards.

The Crosshaven-based, father-of-two established The Upcycler company four years ago after being made redundant from his job in the furniture sector.