Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo opened at at the RDS, Dublin this week. The event showcases the design and crafts sector. This year’s welcomes over 380 exhibitors and more than 4,000 buyers from Ireland and overseas. Upwards of €20 million in business is expected to be transacted across the three-day event.
Winner of Overall Best Product Award – Iron St. Brigid’s Cross by Tom King of An Gobha Iron Works and Experience. An Gobha offers immersive and interactive experiences of traditional iron age metal forging delivered with theatre, stories, myths, and legends in Bohermeen, Co Meath. An Gobha also manufactures and sells handcrafted metal decorative objects based on ancient Celtic symbols and artefacts of the Boyne Valley, Ancient East. Tom has created the St. Brigid’s Cross as a work of art based around the traditional cross, with depth and with colour, to mark the new national holiday celebrating our female Patron Saint, St. Brigid.
Best Product Category Winners:
- Showcase Best Product – FASHION: Linda Wilson, Linda Wilson Knitwear
- Showcase Best Product – HOME: Kathleen Leadbetter, Jerpoint Glass Studio
- Showcase Best Product – GIFT: Serena Grimes, Snugí Babóg Knitwear
- Showcase Best Product – JEWELLERY: Garrett Mallon, Garrett Mallon Jewellery
- Showcase Best Product – WELLNESS: Annarita Monaldi, Craft Around the Clock
Other Showcase Award Winners:
- The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland Design Ireland Award – Linda Wilson, Linda Wilson Knitwear
- Local Enterprise Showcase Award – Síne Dunne, Siest Sleep
- Sustainability Award – Eoin Shanley, Copperfish Lighting Company
Showcase – Ireland’s International Creative Expo
Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation, said: “It’s great to be here this morning and see some of the incredible products on display. Ireland is globally renowned for its craft and design, and Showcase is the international launchpad for so many Irish makers to achieve this recognition. Craft plays an integral part in Ireland’s economy, and I wish each maker the best of luck over the next couple of days.”
Rosemary Steen, CEO of Design and Crafts Council Ireland said “Showcase is now in its 48th year and we are delighted to welcome buyers from Ireland and all over the world who play a vital role in creating a stage for Irish craft and design. This year 380+ exhibitors join us to highlight and grow their businesses. I want to thank the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office, and of course the RDS for supporting such an important event in the Irish Design and Craft calendar.”
Showcase is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland through its network of overseas offices. Speaking ahead of the opening event, Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy said: “Showcase Ireland 2023 offers Irish designers and manufacturers in the Consumer Products sector valuable opportunities to present their unique products. It allows Ireland’s innovative brands to connect with over 80 international buyers hosted by Enterprise Ireland at the ‘Enterprise Ireland International Buyers Hub’ in the RDS. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to collaborate once again on this significant annual event which presents a forum where we can support the delivery of a key strategic focus to support Irish companies to win new business in international markets.”
Showcase is becoming even more important for Ireland’s micro enterprises and new start-ups, according to Breda Fox, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices: “This is a fantastic day for our up and coming craft and design client companies. For many it will be their first time in the Local Enterprise Showcase as part of this year’s event and that excitement and sense of opportunity is palpable. They get an opportunity to bring their ideas and products to the world and hopefully many will attract new buyers and investment that will sustain them and help them grow over the coming months and years. The Local Enterprise Offices have been working with these clients to get them in the best possible shape for this showcase and it’s great now to see it all come to fruition and we wish them all the very best for the coming days.”
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Arts, Crafts & Hobbies boast a huge variety of courses that mostly bare no requirements or previous experience. Careers in this field are usually very artistic without huge commercial benefit. Courses that fall under this field include painting, drawing, ceramics, knitting, dressmaking, photography, woodwork and much more. These courses rely on skill and craft. One pursuing a course must be willing to work with their hands. The demand for courses in Arts, Crafts & Hobbies predominately comes from adult education and lifelong learning programmes. Aspiring students from all ages and walks of life apply for these courses, whether it’s to upskill or out of sheer interest.
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