ABOUT
MADE in Mourne is a community crowd collaboration project based in Kilkeel, nestled at the base of the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland. The space is in Greencastle Street.
The ground floor houses the fabulous ‘MADE in Mourne’ shop that sells locally made original gifts, unique home deco arts & crafts and handmade artisan food; first floor is the HUB, a creative space complete with meeting rooms, workspaces and an honesty coffee bar for start-ups, small businesses, business folk and community groups to meet, network, collaborate and grow businesses; top floor is the STUDIO, the home of a photographer, Ruach musical instruments and other creative companies.
A not-for-profit model, the plan is to make the building commercially successful to be able to fund local initiatives, both creative and commercial that help to grow the local creative economy, provide more jobs and help to sustain those who live and work in the Mourne Region.
How did it come about?
Every crowd needs someone to stand up first and say ‘Join me’. MADE in Mourne was originated by Jenna Stevenson, a young entrepreneur from Kilkeel. In 2017 Jenna, a mum of one and with a baby on the way, made the decision to move her artisan food business, that was predominantly based in Belfast, back to Kilkeel.
“Kilkeel is lucky to have aerospace & fishing, however we need a broader industry base in Kilkeel and the Mourne Region, more opportunities for our children. If my generation don’t step up and make this happen, no one will. The space became available, we grabbed it despite lacking money and a plan – so we came up with a plan and a brand, set ourselves 100 days and openly said to the community ‘Join us’. And they did! 98 days later, we opened.
There is no way we could have got this done without crowd funding and crowd collaboration. Businesses, business people, tradesmen, community members, all sorts of people have stepped forward donating time, a bit of cash and things we need. It just goes to show you what can be done if the community rallies round and works together. It has been amazing to watch and made me very proud to live in the Mourne Region. This is definitely the world I want my children to grow up in! It’s a long journey ahead, but we’re off to a great start!”
Jenna Stevenson, Founder MADE in Mourne.
How can I get involved?
Come to the shop, use the space, be part of this positive experience and tell the world. It’s as simple as that really! There is no massive fund or support behind this.
It needs to commercially work, so we need customers through the door and anyone who likes what is happening here who thinks they can help out, to step forward. Our door is always open, the coffee pot is always on … you are very welcome!
Our Board & Advisors
Our Board & Advisors are predominantly locals aged under 35 who have a simple agenda – “To build a world they would like their children to inherit”.
Board & Trustees
Jenna Stevenson
Co-Founder & MD
Tom Griffiths
Co-Founder & Chair
Alan McCulla
Director
Our Advisors
Stephen Henderson
Export businesses
Paula Haugh
HR & Inspiring Women
John McGrath
Music
Declan Cole
Funding & Diaspora
Sarah Graham
Community marketing
James Cunningham
High street retail
Neil Davey
Digital
Geoff Hooks
Finance
In Residence
Wendy Hanna
Poet in Residence
Tom Griffiths
Entrepreneur in Residence
Jacqueline Rooney
Artist in Residence
Leanne Magill
Photographer in Residence
Ryan Ward
Filmmaker in Residence
Community groups
We have set up a number of community groups around our ‘In residence’ volunteers so you can connect in to like-minded people and indulge your passion and interests locally, whether professional or amateur: MOURNEartists, MOURNEentrepreneurs, MOURNEphotographers, MOURNEpoets
Supported BY…
