Irish Designers Will Take Centre Stage at Collect 2026, the Leading International Art Fair for Contemporary Craft and Design

Monday, 16th February 2026: Design & Crafts Council Ireland will return to Collect 2026, the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design. Taking place at Somerset House, London, from Friday, 27th February to Sunday, 1st March 2026, Collect will see 16 designer makers represent Ireland, showcasing the strength and diversity of contemporary Irish craft and design to an international audience. Collect offers international collectors an opportunity to acquire new, museum-quality handcrafted artworks and pieces from some of this century’s finest global craft talent.

The 16 designer makers selected for this year’s fair representing Ireland were selected from an open call to DCCI’s Portfolio 2021/22, Irish Craft Heroes, and makers who have exhibited internationally with DCCI over the past two years. They are Mary Palmer (Textiles) from Cork and Seliena Coyle (Mixed Materials / Jewellery) from Derry, who will exhibit for the first time this year, alongside returning designer makers Andrea Spencer (Glass) from Antrim; Cara Murphy (Silversmith) from Down; Cathy Burke (Ceramics) from Wicklow; Emer Roberts (Jewellery) from Dublin; Helen O’Shea (Mixed Materials / Embroidery) from Cork; Jane Murtagh (Metalwork) from Clare; Jennifer Hickey (Ceramics) from Mayo; Paola Di Legge (Mixed Materials) from Dublin; Hugo Byrne (Bladesmith) from Limerick; John Lee (Furniture / Woodwork) from Meath; Michael Rice (Ceramics) from Antrim; Mike Byrne (Ceramics) from Limerick, Noel Donnellan (Ceramics) from Limerick and Zelouf & Bell (Furniture / Woodwork) from Laois.

This collection brings a fresh perspective to the rhythms of Four Seasons, the theme of this year’s DCCI exhibition for Collect. Furniture sits alongside textiles, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, metalwork, glass, knives, and organic materials, with each piece echoing shifts in light, colour, and form. Spring’s renewal, summer’s abundance, autumn’s reflections, and winter’s clarity appear as gentle thematic threads rather than overt motifs, allowing the individuality of each work to come to the fore. The result is an engaging experience that invites the viewer to connect with the seasons in surprising ways.

Forty leading galleries, dealers and collectives representing over 400 of the most exciting contemporary artists, will gather at Collect 2026 from over 30 countries from across the globe: UK, Asia, Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East. DCCI is supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, to bring this spectacular exhibition of Irish work to London.

Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland said, “Design & Crafts Council Ireland is proud to support the participation of Irish designers and makers at Collect 2026. This year’s presentation highlights the ambition, skill and innovation that define contemporary Irish design and craft, providing an important opportunity to present this work to an international audience. We are delighted to continue building the international profile of Irish design and craft through Collect, a key platform for engagement with international collectors, curators and cultural institutions.”

Julia Ravenscroft, Curator of the DCCI exhibition in Collect said, “DCCIs exhibition at Collect represents the some of the very best of Irish contemporary design and craft, across a host of disciplines. I’m truly honoured to play a part in bringing all 16 artists together and curating the show that will be seen by the top international collectors and curators. I’m looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective under the theme of this year’s show – Four Seasons. My aim is to create a deeply engaging experience that invites visitors to connect with the seasons in unexpected and surprising ways.”

Collect 2026 will be held at Somerset House, London, from Friday, 27th February to Sunday, 1st March 2026. The fair is open to the public, with details on attendance and ticketing available through the official Collect website here: Collect 2026

ENDS

Makers in the DCCI exhibition at Collect  

For further press information, please contact: [email protected]   

For further information on DCCI and Collect, please contact Suzy O’Keefe or Eimear Harding at DCCI on [email protected]  

About Design & Crafts Council Ireland 

Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for design and craft in Ireland, we support designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of design and craft. DCCI’s activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 68 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients. 

www.dcci.ie / @dccireland 

About Collect 

Collect looks forward to welcoming visitors to the stunning neo-classical rooms of Somerset House in central London, for a five-day celebration of international contemporary craft and design from Thursday, 26th February to Sunday, 1st March. Presented by Crafts Council UK and recognised as being at the forefront of the contemporary craft movement, this year marks the 22nd edition of the art fair. 

Collect offers attendees the opportunity to engage with a line-up of 40 prestigious galleries. Hand-picked by an advisory panel, together they will present 400 living artists and their works, 80% of which have been made in the last five years. 

Preview days 

• 25 February 2026 (Collectors’ Preview, by invitation only) 
• 26 February 2026  

Public days 

• 27 February, 28 February, 01 March 2026