Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) announced the 48 designer makers selected for PORTFOLIO 2026/2027, celebrating contemporary design-led craft of the highest quality.
Widely recognised as a significant mark of achievement within Ireland’s craft sector, selection for PORTFOLIO recognises designer makers who create work that appeals to the high-end gallery market and demonstrate excellence in design, craftsmanship, innovation and technical skill at a world-class level.
Returning for the first time since PORTFOLIO 2021/2022, the programme continues DCCI’s longstanding commitment to building the profile and commercial opportunities of Ireland’s exceptional designer makers. The selection of work reveals ambition, originality, and professional mastery expected of those representing Ireland on both a national and international level. Established in 2005, PORTFOLIO has become one of Ireland’s most respected craft initiatives, helping designer makers expand their reputation and access opportunities in galleries, museums and international markets.
The PORTFOLIO selection for 2026/2027 was made by an esteemed jury panel: Dr. Edith Andrees, a cultural historian and Curator of Applied Arts and Design at the National Museum of Ireland; Samantha Rhodes, recently appointed Director of the Ruthin Craft Centre (RCC), one of the United Kingdom’s leading centres for applied arts; Jean Blanchaert (with Irena Eschenazi), a leading European gallerist, curator and art critic who has curated dozens of exhibitions in major institutional venues, including the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice, where he curated Best of Europe and Next of Europe at Homo Faber for the Michelangelo Foundation; and Nicole Segundo, a Swiss-based specialist in high-end watchmaking and fine craftsmanship, with over 25 years of international experience.
The panel undertook a robust and thorough two-stage evaluation process which first involved shortlisting entries and was followed by an onsite final selection from pieces that were delivered to Gowran Park in Co. Kilkenny. Commenting on the selection, the jury panel stated: “The diverse ensemble of work showcases a sophisticated and confident creative voice of contemporary Irish craft, supported by technical excellence. There is clear evidence of a deep understanding of materiality. This is paired with a clear commitment to innovation, whilst maintaining a strong connection to Irish craft heritage.” The 48 makers selected represent the strength, diversity and creativity of Ireland’s contemporary craft sector and will become part of a programme designed to increase visibility and create opportunities through publication, exhibition and international promotion.
Commenting on the announcement, Mary Blanchfield, CEO at Design & Crafts Council Ireland, said: “PORTFOLIO is an important programme in recognising and celebrating the exceptional standard of contemporary craft and design talent in Ireland. Inclusion in PORTFOLIO is a significant achievement for designer makers and reflects the quality, innovation and technical excellence demonstrated in their work. Through the programme, we aim to support makers in building greater visibility and opening pathways to national and international opportunities. A huge congratulations to all those selected for PORTFOLIO 2026/2027.”
Selection for PORTFOLIO provides a range of opportunities and supports for participating designer makers, including:
- Inclusion in the PORTFOLIO publication, scheduled for release in late 2026, which serves as a key promotional resource circulated nationally and internationally, including to museums and relevant cultural institutions.
- Participation in a curated biannual exhibition at the National Design & Craft Gallery in Castle Yard, Kilkenny, planned for 2027.
- Opportunities for consideration for future international exhibitions and showcases.
PORTFOLIO has played an important role in nurturing Ireland’s reputation for high-quality contemporary craft and in strengthening relationships across the wider creative ecosystem, including galleries, collectors, museums and industry bodies.
The programme celebrates not only the finished works created by designer makers, but also the passion, creativity and commitment behind them. By supporting makers to develop their visibility and reach new audiences, DCCI continues to strengthen Ireland’s position within international craft and design communities.
A full list of the 48 designer makers selected for PORTFOLIO is available below. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3SoQLgO / @dccireland
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Suzy O’Keefe, Head of Digital & Communications, DCCI
086 457 6147 | [email protected]
Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, DCCI
083 023 8743 | [email protected]
For further press information, please contact Elevate PR: 01 662 5652 | [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] / [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.
About PORTFOLIO
Established in 2005, PORTFOLIO is a Design & Crafts Council Ireland initiative created to build reputations and generate national and international commercial opportunities for Ireland’s makers of contemporary high-end craft. The programme is widely recognised within Irish and international craft sectors and has become a significant platform for makers to develop visibility and access new opportunities.
Notes to Editor
Name | Location | Disciplines
- Alan Meredith | Laois | Furniture
- Alison Kay | Dublin | Ceramics
- Andrea Spencer | Antrim | Glass
- Annemarie O’Sullivan | Uckfield, UK | Basketry
- Bernadette Tuite | Cork | Ceramics
- Cara Murphy | Down | Silver
- Cathy Burke | Wicklow | Ceramics
- Cecilia Moore | Dublin | Silver
- Chloe Dowds | Wicklow | Ceramics
- Clare Bowe | Dublin | Glass
- Edmond Byrne | Leicester, UK | Glass
- Eimear Conyard | Kilkenny | Jewellery
- Emer Roberts | Dublin | Jewellery
- Emma Bourke | Mayo | Glass
- Emmet Kane | Kildare | Wood
- Eva Lynch | Wicklow | Silver
- Gráinne Watts | Kilkenny | Ceramics
- Helen O’Connell | Wicklow | Stone
- Helen O’Shea | Cork | Textiles
- Hugo Byrne | Limerick | Metals
- Isobel Egan | Dublin | Ceramics
- Jack Doherty | Penzance, UK | Ceramics
- Jane Seymour | Clare | Ceramics
- Jennifer Hickey | Mayo | Ceramics
- Joe Hogan | Galway | Basketry
- John Lee | Maynooth | Furniture
- Katharina Treml | Waterford | Ceramics
- Laura Quinn | Reading, UK | Glass
- Mandy Cheng | Tipperary | Ceramics
- Markus Jungmann | Kerry | Ceramics
- Michael Bell (Zelouf & Bell) | Laois | Furniture
- Michael Byrne | Limerick | Ceramics
- Michael Murphy | Wicklow | Wood
- Michelle Ryan | Clare | Glass
- Noel Donnellan | Limerick | Ceramics
- Orla Kaminska | Dublin | Ceramics
- Owen Quinlan | Galway | Ceramics
- Paola Di Legge | Dublin | Mixed Media
- Patricia Millar | Antrim | Ceramics
- Paul Bokslag | Kilkenny | Paper
- Peter Sheehan | Wicklow | Furniture
- Roger Bennett | Dublin | Wood
- Sam Gleeson | Clare | Metals
- Scott Benefield | Antrim | Glass
- Séamus Gill | Dublin | Silver
- Stephen O’Briain | Carlow | Furniture
- Stevan Hartung | Wicklow | Furniture
- Stuart Cairns | Down | Mixed Media
