MARGARET RODDY TAKES A LOOK AT LOUTH’S CRAFT BUSINESS

THE craft sector in Ireland is becoming a growth industry which enables people to combine their passion for creativity with the opportunity to make a living.

An indication of just how important it is to the Irish economy is the fact that Showcase 2017, hosted by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland in the RDS recently, attracted over 5,000 buyers from Ireland and more than 20 countries, including the UK, North America, Germany and Japan.

It was expected to reap over €20 million in sales orders expected as 450 Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople launched their latest collections.

Showcase is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland through their network of over 30 international offices, who brought international buyers, bloggers and journalists to the event.

‘Our objective is to help Irish consumer retail companies with global ambition to win export orders from visiting buyers, sustaining and creating jobs in every region in Ireland,’ said Stephen Hughes, Consumer Retail Manager, Enterprise Ireland.

The Local Enterprise Showcase, which occupied the balcony of the Main Hall at the RDS, featured products from emerging craft makers supported by their Local Enterprise Offices, including County Louth.

Among the 110 designers and craftspeople from around the country featured in the Local Enterprise Showcase were Celtic Valley Ceramics, Duinn Designs and Ogham Oils.

Other local craft makers and designers who took part in Showcase included Garrett Mallon Jewellery and artist Martina Scott, both Carlingford, whose work was featured in the Design Ireland section in the Main Hall, Orla Barry Art and Sarah McKenna Ceramics, who are based in Bridge Street Studios, Soilse Candles, Stamullen, Branigan Weavers, Drogheda, Edmund McNulty, Knitwear, Drogheda, and Corona Silver, Readypenny.