Introducing Sinéad Coakley and Cockleshell Crosshaven

By Tara Maher

Sinéad Coakley is the woman behind Cockleshell Crosshaven, a new boutique that pays homage to her nautical surroundings and coastal charm. She and her family live in Crosshaven, initially being drawn in by the village camaraderie that echoed her hometown of Skibbereen, West Cork. 

Sinéad had wanted to set up her own store for a while. She has always loved roaming specialty shops while on holiday, both abroad and in Ireland, and believed it was a market that had yet to be explored in the Crosshaven area. Despite being home to a number of cafes, bars, and restaurants, retail has always been something the village lacked. 

Crosshaven receives a large influx of daytrippers and tourists, particularly in the Summer months. Sinéad loves returning from trips with unique finds and prints to remember her travels, and she wanted people who visited the village to be able to bring a piece of Crosshaven home with them, and as a place for locals to shop for gifts, pieces for their home and casual clothing to suit the laid back lifestyle.

Sinéad Coakley

Sinéad had a very clear vision with the brand and its aesthetic. Heavily inspired by the coastal colours of Crosshaven Sinéad’s vision for her business is to stock a unique blend of carefully curated, quality products that both compliment a coastal Lifestyle or evoke memories of time by the sea.

The name Cockleshell is an ode to Crosshavens history and is inspired by the old Cockleshell Hall, which hosted showbands in the 1950’s. Today we know it as La- Scala. Sinéad has adopted the tagline 'So much more than a Concept Store by the Coast' as primarily, there is a strong coastal theme running through many of the items she sells, but she also stocks some ranges which are just unique items that make lovely gifts for someone else or for yourself. My primary goal is to become a go to place for locals to shop for unique finds for themselves and for their homes and then a smaller market section of items which are more keepsakes like the Road Signs.

In preparation for the launch of her official online store, Sinéad began trading from social media. She was delighted to see an appetite for her products from the local market. Without any shops selling physical gifts in the village, people have been calling on Cockleshell for all types of gift ideas, from birthday presents to housewarming gifts or to add a nautical feel to their homes. Her aim is to stock unusual and unique items that aren't readily available elsewhere and products that encapsulate the essence of life and lifestyle by the sea.

With a background in business management and PR, Sinéad embarked on her retail journey with a fervent passion. Despite the steep learning curve which setting up her own business involved, Sinéad has taken pleasure in sourcing a unique product range to stock, and she is really happy with the range currently on offer for sale. As her business expands, she plans to add to her stock collection and to plan new product ranges.

Cockleshell Crosshaven currently stocks a range of homeware, beachwear, and keepsakes. Customised Crosshaven and Myrtleville signposts have been a big seller so far. She also sells towels, candles, “I’d Rather Be..” mugs, Tide Clocks which are handmade in France by Ocean Clock, an array of soft furnishings, coastal Style Decor, Serveware and decorative accessories, coastal style decorative household items such as throws, hooks, lighting, cushions, kitchen items as well as framed Prints from the Lighthouses of Ireland range, and straw and Leather baskets and a mix of casual bags and some with a nautical theme.

Cockleshell Crosshaven is not just a boutique, but a testament to Sinéad's commitment to the environment. Inspired by the sea, she has curated a sustainable product range, working with several B-Corp certified suppliers who uphold high standards of transparency and accountability. Her aim is clear: to support brands that protect the environment and ensure fair wages for their workers.

Sustainability is a driving force behind the Cockleshell brand, which is made from clothing materials made from organic cotton and recycled products sourced from environmentally oriented manufacturers. 

Sinéad is brimming with excitement about her latest product, Ecosip, a double-wall insulated, powder-coated, laser-engraved reusable cup in a 12oz tumbler style and stemless flutes. Designed for outdoor living, the cups will keep drinks hot for 3 hours and cold for 9 hours, making them suitable for year-round use. This innovative addition is sure to pique the interest of customers.

Ecosips

When it comes to her own brand, she is currently putting the finishing touches on her clothing line, which is made locally in Cork out of Stanley/Stella organic material. She started with adult T-shirts before expanding into children's sizes and sweatshirts, and eventually hopes to launch tote bags. 

Being a full-time mum and owning a growing business has had its challenges, but they have also brought some valuable lessons. Time management is a skill she struggled with at the beginning, but she is learning to adapt to it: "​​My to-do list was just getting longer and longer, and I didn't seem to be getting anywhere with it. And the longer I got, the more disheartened I got with myself. So, I've made a conscious effort to manage my time better." 

Operating solely online for now from her website and by appointment at her home, Sinéad dabbled in Christmas Markets to generate interest in Cockleshell. She has been blown away by the support. She plans to attend more in the Summer months and has already booked a stall in the coastal market the Sunday before the biannual Volvo Cork Week. 

Ideally, she would love a permanent home in the heart of Crosshaven village. "There's no premise available that I love, but it will come in time; I'm in no rush," she explained. 

You can find Sinéad on Facebook at Cockleshell Crosshaven and on Instagram @cockleshellcrosshaven