Riverstick Resident In Line For Prestigious Award Writes JJ Hurley
Riverstick resident, Michael White, whose handmade wooden toys are available, not just in Ireland but across Europe also, is currently in line to scoop a prestigious award – sponsored by The Irish Country Magazine. Featuring in the Gift Category of the Irish Made Competition, Michael is relying on the public vote to take his entry over the line, in what is a very competitive section.
A teacher in Cork’s Coláiste Chríost Secondary School in Turner’s Cross, Michael has taken his passion for teaching woodwork and turned what was something of a hobby at home into a successful business. With a reputation for producing toys of the highest standards – that are CE accredited, Michael’s balance boards, rorockers and peddles bikes have become something of a flagship for the traditional toy market, under the banner of his company – Ro Óg . While he’s delighted to have been nominated, Michael is very pleased to be associated with a competition that is promoting Irish made products.
Indeed, in his own company, along with his personal input into the toys, he also secures additional resources within the county, which includes stencils, nuts and bolts, and other materials as well as using the precision talents of a number of tradesmen to cut the required shapes for his products. Michael argues it would be very easy to order the additional materials from China, but he says servicing his business locally will help create employment here.
Along with the full-time job and the busy schedule of a father of five, Michael somehow continues to grow the popularity of his products, mainly through the company’s website www.roogltd.com and at www.notonthehighstreet.com .
In addition, he also regularly attends craft fairs, trade shows, traditional markets and agricultural shows to promote his wares, as well as featuring in the national media, including The Late Late Toy Show.
Despite all the online forums he uses to promote his products, it’s word of mouth, and a reputation for producing toys of the highest standards – that has the public arriving in droves to purchase his products.
So, if you want to see Michael continuing in his ever more successful venture, log onto ww.irishcountrymagazine.ie/irish-made-awards, go to the gift category and vote for Ro Óg
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