Introduction
Grange Craft is a family-run business that has been at the heart of Irish craftsmanship for more than half a century. Founded in 1971 by Brian and Rose Cubitt, parents of current business proprietor Rachel, Grange Craft has grown from humble beginnings to become a well-known name in the world of Irish crafts and woolen products, manufacturing and supplying quality Irish socks and crafts to domestic and international markets.
Having started life as two separate businesses — one specializing in protective clothing and socks, the other in handcrafted dolls and tea cozies — Grange Craft eventually merged into a thriving craft enterprise based near Ovens in County Cork.
In this interview, Rachel Cubitt shares insights into the history of Grange Craft, some of the challenges and milestones the business has faced, and the deep personal connection that comes with running a family business.
Whether it’s the story of a cherished rag doll or the introduction of their own line of woolen socks, Rachel’s experiences offer a glimpse into the world of Irish craft and the unique dynamics of a family business serving customers all over Ireland and around the world.
Interview
Real Irish:
Hi Rachel! Thanks for speaking to us. I see on the website that Grange Craft was founded in 1971 by your parents. Could you tell us a little about the origins of the business?
Rachel Cubitt:
That's right. They actually started with two businesses. My father had a protective clothing business — raincoats, wax jackets, PVC trousers, boiler suits, socks, all that sort of thing. My mother made character dolls and tweed tea cozies. Over time, the businesses merged and evolved into a craft business. They ran it until about 2007, then passed it on to my sister Emma and me. We ran it together for several years until Emma decided to go in another direction. So now I run the business, but it's still very much a family affair. Everyone chips in—my kids, my husband, my sister, nieces — and even my mother when there's work to be done!
A great pic from the early days of Grange Craft! Brian Cubitt returns from the lake with hand-cut rushes to make St Brigid’s Crosses
Real Irish:
Amazing! So your parents are still involved all these years later?
Rachel Cubitt:
Just my mother. My father passed away 12 years ago, but my mother is still going strong! She's 79 now and has taken more of a backseat, but she still helps out, sending off statements, answering a few emails or running to the bank when needed!
Real Irish:
What were the early days like? Do you have any memories of that time in the 70s and 80s?
Rachel Cubitt:
It’s a long time ago now but even as kids, we were always involved and loved it. I was just a child, so I didn’t have much say in the decisions, but I do remember the character dolls my mother made. Some of them had little knitted pieces, and I remember knitting those small pieces that were then put onto the dolls. I’ve been to over 40 Showcase events in Dublin — probably closer to 45. This business is in my DNA at this stage!
Real Irish:
So Showcase has always been a big part of the year for you and the business?
Rachel Cubitt:
Yes, definitely. The very first Showcase I remember was in RDS Simmonscourt, but I was too young to remember much. After that, it moved to the RDS main hall, and it’s been there ever since, except during COVID. We also do another show in New Jersey, which used to be in Secaucus but is now in Parsippany. We’ve been doing that for about 17 years.
Real Irish:
How do you think Showcase has evolved over the years?
Rachel Cubitt:
Oh, it’s a much bigger show now, though it has scaled back a bit recently. During COVID, I think a lot of people realized they might not need these shows as much as they had previously thought. When we go to Showcase, we bring just about everything in our price list — socks, jams, marmalades, St. Brigid's crosses, chilies, blackthorn walking sticks. You name it, if we stock it, you’ll find it at our stall at Showcase!
Real Irish:
Were you already involved in the business before you and Emma took over?
Rachel Cubitt:
Yes, after I left school, I studied marketing and joined the family business. So I suppose I’ve worked here for almost all my working life.
Real Irish:
Did your marketing studies influence how you approached the business?
Rachel Cubitt:
Working in a family business can be challenging. It took time to introduce new ideas, but some of our popular lines, like the Fair Isle socks, were ideas I brought in.
Real Irish:
Why do you think a family business is challenging?
Rachel Cubitt:
There’s definitely an emotional involvement. It’s like your baby. It might be a bit harder to implement changes, because different members of the family have an emotional attachment to different things. For example, my husband works for an employer, so he’s free to switch off after hours! For me, the business is always on my mind. I get calls at all hours, and I work seven days a week sometimes. I suppose it’s just a bit different when it’s a family business.
Real Irish:
What does the business look like these days? Who’s involved?
Rachel Cubitt:
It’s mainly myself and my mother now. I handle the packing, accounting, and all the day-to-day operations.
Real Irish:
You’ve mentioned the impact of COVID. How did it change things for you?
Rachel Cubitt:
During COVID, the Local Enterprise Office here gave us a grant to open an online shop, and Irish customers were very supportive, which was great. The online shop has its place and has become a good side business for us, but we’re primarily a wholesale business. It’s more sustainable and manageable for us as a business to sell 20-dozen pairs of socks on wholesale than just two!
Real Irish:
Socks seem to be a big part of what Grange Craft does?
Rachel Cubitt:
Yes, socks are our number one seller. We have about 14 or 15 different styles, all predominantly wool. Nothing less than 50% wool. Our customer base tends to be older — but I have to say my son, who’s 21, loves them too!
Socks have been part of our business for a long time. My father’s business sold socks all those years ago, although back then they were mostly work socks, so a bit more functional.
Now, they’re much more aesthetically pleasing, with bright colors and patterns. We’re agents for Connemara Socks and also manufacture our own Country and Fair Isle socks. We started making our own about 19 years ago because we wanted to make sure we didn’t have all our eggs in one basket.
It was important to have continuity and a reliable supply for our customers. We’ve had very loyal customers, some of whom have been with us since Day 1!
Irish Jacob Sheep Socks - Shop Now
Real Irish:
How about your customer base. Who do you typically work with?
Rachel Cubitt:
Overseas, we work with a lot of Irish shops. In Ireland, it’s mainly craft shops, like Mark Joyce’s shop in Recess in County Galway and also Blarney Woolen Mills. We also work with many one-off shops.
Interestingly, Japan is one of our biggest markets, along with the U.S. The Japanese love wool and tweed. That connection started at one of the Showcase events. Japanese companies come to the show, some bring translators, though many don’t. But we’ve built a good relationship with many of them over the years.
Real Irish:
Have there been any changes you’ve implemented since taking over?
Rachel Cubitt:
To be honest, it’s just all been about hard work! We tried some different product lines, such as offering corporate Christmas hampers for a while, and they went well until COVID. But to be honest, we’re so busy now that we’ve had to stop doing those. A number of years ago it was just an idea that kept us busy during the quieter months, but thankfully we don’t have many quiet months anymore!
Real Irish:
A great complaint! What about your other products? You stock items like jams, marmalades, and blackthorn walking sticks? How do you choose what to stock?
Rachel Cubitt:
The blackthorn walking sticks were something my father introduced years and years ago, and my mother brought in the jams. So we’ve been selling all those things for decades! A number of years ago I thought we might phase out the walking sticks, but I’m glad I didn’t. We honestly can’t get enough of them now. They’re just the epitome of Irish craftsmanship, and they’re highly sought after all around the world.
Real Irish:
Do you have any interesting stories about where your products have ended up?
Rachel Cubitt:
We did have one very interesting piece of correspondence recently. My mother used to make these rag dolls called “Bug Babies”. A woman contacted me recently with a picture of one she still had. My mother stopped making those 40 years ago! It was amazing to see one of the old dolls, and not only that, but it was still in great condition!
Real Irish:
Thanks for speaking to us, Rachel. So what about the future? What’s next for Grange Craft?
Rachel Cubitt:
I’m hoping my son Connor will join the business. He’s studying commerce at the moment and is very enthusiastic, so he might carry on the family tradition. We’ll see what happens!
Connemara Flecks Irish Wool Socks - Shop Now
The Grange Craft range of socks are guaranteed to add color to every day!
