DESIGN & CRAFTS COUNCIL IRELAND LAUNCHES MADE LOCAL 2023 WITH SINGER / SONGWRITER LYRA

• 83% of makers cite the success of the Made Local campaign and its positive impact on their businesses
• Singer / songwriter, Lyra is announced as this year’s Made Local ambassador.
• Through Made Local, Design & Crafts Council Ireland is championing design across Ireland, encouraging the public to buy Irish, and highlighting the originality, quality, and value of Irish designed and craft-made products.

Wednesday, 18^th October: Today, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) launched its annual Made Local campaign with brand ambassador, Lyra. Made Local highlights the originality, quality and value of Irish designed and craft-made products. It is a reminder to people that buying locally produced, well-crafted products is much more meaningful, sustainable, and impactful. Made Local encourages consumers to consider their purchases carefully and make mindful buying decisions in choosing high quality, sustainable products from designers and craft makers in Ireland.

1,328 DCCI designers and makers and 351 retailers took part in Made Local last year. Of those surveyed, 83% said they are seeing the positive impact of the campaign. Made Local encourages consumers to buy Irish made products for Christmas, supporting local designers and craftspeople.

While Made Local encourages consumers to purchase Irish made products in the run up to Christmas, it is a yearlong initiative. This summer, DCCI launched MADE in Kilkenny / Made Local: a celebration of excellence in craft at DCCI National Design & Craft Gallery in Castle Yard, Co Kilkenny. The exhibition, which runs until 28^th October, showcases the work of 28 makers who are involved in the MADE in Kilkenny collective. In addition, DCCI recently launched the Made Local Makers photography exhibition at Cork Airport. This exhibition displays 19 selected makers and their work. With makers from Cork and adjoining counties, this exhibition celebrates the variety, quality and sustainability of highly crafted and personal products that are made all over Ireland. The exhibition will be on display for 18 months and aims to inspire those who arrive at Ireland’s southern gateway to visit and explore Ireland’s rich craft and design sector. In December, Made Local will also have a presence at Gifted, the contemporary craft and design fair in Dublin’s RDS.

Commenting on the launch of Made Local 2023, Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, said:

“Today is testament to the success of Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Made Local campaign. Now in its fourth year, this campaign has shown the positive impact initiatives like this can have, both on designers and craftspeople, but also on the economy. The Irish design and craft sector makes a significant contribution both locally and nationally, and by supporting campaigns like Made Local, we can promote and advocate for the design and craft sector in Ireland.  In the run up to Christmas I would strongly encourage everyone to support Irish crafters, designers and retailers by buying Irish made products from the Made Local campaign.”

Adding to this, Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Chief Executive Officer, Rosemary Steen, said:

“Year on year, we see and hear the positive impact that Made Local is making on the craft and design sector in Ireland. Highlighting the skill and originality of local craft makers and the retail outlets that showcase Made Local products is key. So many of the products showcased in the Made Local campaign are results of head, heart and hand of the makers, they have a personal touch which in turn evokes an enduring emotional connection in the owner.Today is a reminder of those products and their makers all around Ireland. It provides a platform and an opportunity to designers and craftspeople to promote and sell their products, while demonstrating how buying Made Local is sustainable and impactful to both our economy as well as to the environment. When you choose to buy Irish craft and design, you are choosing to invest in your own future, as well as unique, personable products that really are Made Local, Made to Last. We hope to inspire consumers to think of Irish made and designed craft products both for themselves and as gifts this Christmas.”

Adding to this, singer / songwriter and Made Local, Made to Last ambassador, Lyra, said:

“Being an Irish artist, I carry pride with me everywhere I go. We are a nation full of creation, and it’s an honour to be this year’s ambassador for Made Local. I know the time, endurance, commitment, and skill it takes to be a creative. To see the amount of talent right on our doorstep that Ireland has to offer the world is amazing. I’ve worn designs by makers in Ireland many times and it’s great to be able to showcase them, as well as the other crafts and design at Made Local today.”

For a full list of Irish craft and design makers and retailers participating in Made Local 2023, visit DCCI’s online directory at www.madelocal.ie where consumers can search for makers and the products they want, by location. For more information on Irish craft and design visit: www.dcci.ie or join the conversation by following @dccireland and #MadeLocal

ENDS