Founded in 1987, Deaf Enterprises is a social enterprise based in Cork, Ireland, with a core mission to provide meaningful employment and education opportunities for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Having been operational for almost four decades, the organisation is committed to achieving both social inclusion and circularity, particularly through their furniture reuse and bike repair services to consumers and businesses.
Since 1988, Deaf Enterprises has operated a fully-equipped workshop offering furniture restoration, upholstery and French polishing services. With a team of trained personnel, the workshop specialises in restoring a variety of furniture pieces, ranging from antique items, Queen Anne chairs to full three-piece suites and armchairs. They also reupholster fabric furnishings in mobile homes brought to them and recover caravan and boat cushions. Each year, the workshop diverts over 2,000 pieces of furniture from landfill, significantly reducing environmental waste while extending the lifespan of valuable materials.
By integrating skilled craftsmanship with a commitment to empowering the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, Deaf Enterprises not only keeps resources in circulation, but also creates a model for inclusive, purpose-driven enterprises in the circular economy. This commitment has been recognised by the ReMark Quality Mark in 2023 by Community Resources Network Ireland, the network for community-based reuse, repair and recycling organisations in Ireland.
Here at Deaf Enterprises, we deal with people who may have slipped through the cracks and thus it is important that we have team members who are valued and who support each other.
- Claire O Mahony, Deaf Enterprises Employment Assistant Officer
Since their inception, Deaf Enterprises has grown from a small team of around 20 to 40 employees in 2025. Of these, over 30 are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and are employed across diverse roles such as upholsterers, machinists, and transport and delivery personnel. Training is tailored to the individual’s background. For example, upholstery trainees shadow qualified professionals for a period ranging from a few months to a year to learn the ropes, depending on their existing set of skills and knowledge. Communication within the team includes Irish, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian sign languages, supported by an interpreter during official meetings and training sessions.
Read more about Deaf Enterprises and their furniture restoration activities in our report on Social Enterprises’ Role in Furniture and Mattress Circularity.
