How One Kinsale Mother Created Sónua, Ireland’s New Luxury Scented LED Candle Brand

By Tara Maher

Created by Laura Lyons, originally from Frankfield but now living in Kinsale, Sónua is a new luxury scented LED candle brand that prioritises safety and sustainability. 

A lifelong lover of scented candles, Laura’s relationship with them changed following the birth of her second child. While she enjoyed the warmth and comfort that candles brought to her home, safety concerns meant lighting a flame was no longer an option.

“I began searching for a scented LED candle as an alternative, but I couldn’t find anything on the market that offered both safety and scent in a way that felt premium. That’s when I started to think there might be a genuine need for a product like this.” She told The Carrigdhoun. 

That gap in the market became the foundation for Sónua. What began as an idea soon evolved into a three-year journey from concept to launch, driven by Laura’s determination to create something entirely new.

Each Sónua candle is individually handcrafted and encased in real wax, offering the visual authenticity of a traditional candle without the flame. The result is a safe, practical, and beautifully designed alternative that doesn’t sacrifice atmosphere. With a range of fresh, interchangeable scents, users can effortlessly change the aroma of a room to suit the season or their mood.

“From the very beginning, I knew I didn’t want Sónua to be like the LED candles already available. I wanted it to be scented, functional, and as realistic as possible, while also being stylish and design-led. It had to add something to a space, not just sit in it. My aim was to create a candle that people would choose because it was scented and looked beautiful, with the added reassurance that it was safe to use in any home.”

Laura Lyons

Laura leaned on her skills she acquired from working in Quality in the Pharma industry, and took a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. “That role has given me a strong grounding in precision, safety, compliance, and attention to detail. All of which later became hugely important when developing my own product.”

Over the course of three years, Laura immersed herself in every aspect of the process, from product design and manufacturing to sourcing materials, testing, certification, packaging, and even app development. Along the way, she learned that progress rarely comes without setbacks.

 “It’s not an easy thing to accept at the time, but I’ve learned that you have to embrace it rather than fight it. There were moments when progress felt slow or when things didn’t go to plan, but each setback ultimately strengthened the product and the idea behind it. When your gut tells you that something is good, you have to trust it and stick with it. Even when the road gets difficult. That belief is what keeps you moving forward, and without it, Sónua simply wouldn’t exist.”

Laura’s determination paid off following the overwhelming positivity following the LED candle’s launch. 

“Once people realise that it’s not just an LED candle, but a scented one, they’re immediately amazed and curious about how it works. When they then discover that the candle is rechargeable, app controlled, and has a real wax exterior, the reaction is often one of genuine surprise. People are fascinated by the combination of technology and tradition.” she revealed. 

Seeing people engage with her product, ask questions, and really understand what makes Sónua different has reinforced  Laura’s  belief that there is something truly unique about it.

Having previously lived in Crosshaven, Laura sponsored a set of GAA jerseys for Coláiste Muire, “It felt like a natural thing to do. It was simply about supporting a place I had been part of and giving something back to those who supported me.” 

Available in a variety of styles and sizes, Sónua’s Palm and Ridged Pillar candle gift sets are priced starting from €59.95 and arrive in a beautiful presentation box with the handcrafted, wax-encased candle itself, a UCB-C charging cable, a step-by-step guide for its user-friendly smartphone app, and two fresh scent refills that will provide up to 200 hours of scent. Once the initial candle purchase is made, a 3-pack of scented refills (or 300+ hours of scent) costs just €22.95 or are available via a recurring subscription and a 15% discount. To purchase please visit sonuaofficial.com