In the media
At Wizard & Grace, we are deeply grateful for the recognition we’ve received from some of Ireland’s most respected publications and broadcasters. From wellness and interiors to entrepreneurship and sustainability, our story has resonated with audiences across the country—and increasingly, internationally.
Below is a selection of media coverage that celebrates our mission: to craft beautiful, 100% natural essential oil candles that promote wellbeing and mindfulness in everyday life.
📰 The Irish Times – Top 100 Irish Websites for Gifting
In a curated list of thoughtful, high-quality gift ideas, The Irish Times included Wizard & Grace among their “100 Irish websites to get your shopping sorted” for Christmas.
“This essential-oil and candle brand was set up in 2022 and is committed to authentic natural ingredients and sustainability. It sells a range of candles and gift sets for putting something into words that might be hard to say. ‘Our courage candle, for example, is bought often for people going through difficult situations,’ the founder says.”
— The Irish Times, 30 November 2024
📰 Irish Independent – Leading Light at Showcase Ireland
The Irish Independent featured Wizard & Grace as one of Cork’s most promising creative businesses attending Showcase Ireland, describing our unique position in the wellness market:
“Start-up company Wizard & Grace Essential Oil candles was launched in 2022 when founder Paula McGovern realised that the ‘natural’ candles she regularly bought all contained synthetic or artificial fragrance.”
“The Kinsale-based brand manufactures a unique range of 100 per cent natural essential oil intention candles designed to not only smell beautiful but also actively support wellbeing.”
“I wanted to buy something 100 per cent natural, made only with essential oils, that I felt comfortable burning in my home with children and dogs. When I couldn’t find a luxury essential oil candle, I began to make my own.”
— Irish Independent, 18 January 2024
📰 Better Business Magazine – Sector Spotlight: Manufacturing
In its “Sector Spotlight” on manufacturing innovation
, Better Business Magazine profiled Paula McGovern, founder of Wizard & Grace, highlighting how she identified a gap in the wellness market for truly natural, design-led essential oil candles.
“Ultimately, setting up the business was about creating something beautiful that people would want but also allowing me freedom to manage my own time. Those programmes and courses were important in making that happen.”
Reflecting on the early stages of her journey, Paula shared how her sensitivity to artificial scents after having her daughter led to deeper research:
“All of a sudden, I could sniff out a synthetic fragrance a mile away.”
Her discovery of greenwashing in the market became the catalyst for Wizard & Grace:
“I discovered there’s so much green washing out there when it comes to candles, many of them claim to be natural but are actually made from synthetic perfume.”
With a deep commitment to transparency and craftsmanship, Paula continues to lead product development personally:
“I still create all the blends myself, which is really the secret sauce. The manufacturer I use fabricates everything so it is all natural and sustainable as possible.”
— Better Business Magazine, 2024
📰 Irish Farmers Journal – Meet the Maker
In its Meet the Maker series, the Irish Farmers Journal explored the ethos, origins and sustainable standards behind Wizard & Grace:
“Most of all though, I love the thought of the Wizard & Grace candles bringing a bit of light and wellbeing to people. It makes me a little emotional to hear really positive feedback – it’s why I’ve created them in the first place.”
“The core requirement for me is that my candles would only use essential oils. This takes a lot of time and attention to get right... there is 12.5 grams of essential oils in each candle.”
“As its popularity has grown, the harvesting of soy is creating deforestation and social justice issues through the use of intensive farming methods in origin countries, mostly South America. I could not justify using it for this reason.”
“I began to realise that the candles I thought were natural – because they said so on the box – were not. The reason I created Wizard & Grace Essential Oil candles is because I could not find the product I wanted to buy on the market.”
— Irish Farmers Journal, December 2022
📰 Hi Style – Supporting Self-Care Through Scent
In a feature focused on self-care during challenging economic times, Hi Style highlighted our commitment to purity and practicality:
“In a cost of living crisis consumers are turning to simple common sense ways to support their wellbeing and mental health, so finds Paula McGovern, founder of Wizard & Grace Essential Oil candle company.”
“The response to the candles has been one of appreciation of the intentionality of the candles to support self-care and stress management. This has been the response particularly from busy working women… for whom self-care has become another pressure point, or as someone said to me ‘another glamour metric to aspire to’.”
“While it would be lovely to have a spa day, that’s simply not affordable or possible for most women… Knowing that the candle is 100% plant-based, genuinely natural and non-toxic allows people to connect with nature while inside their own home.”
“At Wizard & Grace we advocate a ‘wellness for real life’ philosophy… We are a contemporary Irish brand inspired by Irish landscape, language and life.”
— Hi Style, Autumn 2023
📰 Irish Examiner – From Kitchen Table to Conscious Gifting
Eve Kelliher of the Irish Examiner profiled the deeply personal inspiration behind Wizard & Grace:
“Kinsale woman Paula McGovern became a candle-maker when she couldn’t find what the exact ‘sustainable and eco-conscious’ variety she was happy to burn in her own home.”
“After two years of research, learning, testing and a kitchen full of wax-splotched furniture Wizard & Grace launched with a range of ‘Intention candles’, all hand-crafted and inspired by the colour and vibrancy of Irish landscape and language.”
“I wanted to create something vibrant — using colour and design inspired by our beautiful landscape and seascapes in Ireland, with each bespoke essential oil-blend candle created to suit a mood, to uplift and bring joy.”
— Irish Examiner, 12 December 2022
📰 Irish Examiner – Wish List: Fabulous Finds for Your Home
In its Wish List feature, The Irish Examiner showcased Wizard & Grace as one of eight top home finds for February:
“We love local success stories and Kinsale start-up Wizard & Grace Essential Oil Candles is going from strength to strength.”
“The company was founded in October 2022 by Paula McGovern whose mission was to create a unique range of 100% natural essential oil intention candles designed to not only smell beautiful but also actively support wellbeing.”
“The brand has been nominated for two awards due to be announced in coming weeks — the West Cork Start-up of the Year and a Best in Cork award.”
— Irish Examiner, 2 February 2024
🎙 Newstalk – The Home Show with Sinead Ryan
On 21 October 2023, Paula McGovern appeared on The Home Show with Sinead Ryan on Newstalk, sharing the story of Wizard & Grace alongside guests including Brian Dowling, Arlene McIntyre and architect Niall McLaughlin.
— Newstalk, 21 October 2023
Her segment focused on creating accessible wellness rituals and living more intentionally through design, scent and sustainable materials.
📰 Business Post – Export Plans and Growth
In an in-depth interview with The Business Post, Paula McGovern outlined the company’s commercial milestones and international plans:
“I always wanted to run my own wellness company, and the level of greenwashing in the candle space inspired me to make my own.”
“Wizard & Grace creates wellbeing intention candles, designed to support people’s mental and physical health. I was inspired to create it while working in journalism and charity communications.”
“Not everyone has a budget to go on a retreat or yoga class. I wanted to come up with a simple way to incorporate mindfulness into people’s days.”
“Initially I just made them for friends and family… It has taken off from there but I have found that there were a lot of people like me looking for something like this with 100 per cent natural materials.”
— Business Post, 4 October 2024
Final Thoughts
From press features to podcast appearances, the recognition Wizard & Grace has received is a reflection of our customers, our community, and our commitment to crafting something meaningful. We’re proud to see our message of real, accessible wellness resonating widely.