Wednesday 13th September 2023: Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) today launched a new Made Local photography exhibition at Cork Airport. The photography exhibition, which displays 19 selected makers and their work, is one of many ongoing DCCI Made Local initiatives. With makers from Cork and across the South of Ireland, 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.
Made up of 38 images, the exhibition represents 19 craftspeople from ten counties across an array of disciplines and stories. The makers featured are from Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Carlow, Clare, Laois, Kilkenny, Wexford, Tipperary and Waterford. Among the makers are Claire Morgan of McWilliam Bags and ceramicist Orla O’Regan from Cork, as well as Rory Leadbetter of Jerpoint Glass Studio in Kilkenny and Eugene and Anke McKernan of McKernan Woollen Mills in Clare. All the makers are part of DCCI’s Made Local campaign in which its message – Made Local, Made to Last – reminds us that unlike fast, disposable goods, Made Local products are enduring, due to the deep levels of craftsmanship and the emotional connections they evoke.
Speaking about the launch, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Simon Coveney T.D, said: “It’s great to see such an important exhibition come to life and even better to see it in Cork. The craft and design sector plays a huge role in Brand Ireland and the Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Made Local campaign is a fantastic driver of it. The exhibition will present a warm welcome to passengers travelling to and from Ireland as they pass through Cork Airport. It is sure to inspire people to explore nearby makers and craftspeople. With sustainability at the core of many of these Irish products and processes, it is a reminder that tradition and progress are not mutually exclusive and together contribute to Ireland’s strength economically and culturally.“
Rosemary Steen, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland, commented: “We are delighted to launch this beautiful exhibition at Cork Airport, bringing Irish master craftspeople to an international stage at Arrivals. The exhibition is a reminder of the quality handmade items that are being made all around you, as well as the longevity of Irish made products. 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.“
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport said: “We are thrilled with this partnership with Design & Craft Council of Ireland, showcasing the work of local craftspeople and helping preserve and promote local craft tradition. Everything we do at Cork Airport is about connecting our region with the world and celebrating the best of our region. This new exhibition will keep our arrivals area fresh and interesting, whilst promoting the best of Irish craft and design.“
ENDS
For more information, please contact Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, DCCI, 083 023 8743 or email [email protected]
For further press information please contact Claire Feely or Emma Kelly at Elevate PR, 01 662 5652 or email [email protected] / [email protected]
Notes to the Editors:
Full list of makers featured:
| Business | Person | COUNTY | DISCIPLINE |
| Saille baskets | Diane Southey | CORK | Basketry |
| Antonio / Ceramics | Antonio Julio López Castro | CORK | Ceramics |
| Orla O Visual Art | Orla O Regan | CORK | Ceramics |
| Charlie Mahon Ceramics | Charlie Mahon | CORK | Ceramics |
| McWilliam Bags | Claire Morgan | CORK | Textiles |
| Annemarie Reinhold | Annemarie Reinhold | CORK | Jewellery |
| Rudi Wortmann | OOAK – one of a kind | WEXFORD | Furniture |
| Colm Kenny | Ceadogan Rugmakers | WEXFORD | Textiles – Fashion |
| Patrick Joseph | Patrick Brennan | KILKENNY | Metalsmith |
| Clay Creations | Brid Lyons | KILKENNY | Ceramics |
| Jerpoint Glass Studio | Rory Leadbetter | KILKENNY | Glass |
| Milis | Fiona Young | WATERFORD | Candle making |
| Yvonne Bolger Jewellery | Yvonne Bolger | LAOIS | Jewellery |
| Lynn Kirkham | The Green Mantle | TIPPERARY | Mixed Media |
| Conor Holden | Holden leather goods | KERRY | Leather |
| Leiko Uchiyama | Leiko / Felt | CARLOW | Textiles – Felt |
| Fiadh Durham | Fiadh Woven Design | KERRY | Textiles – Fashion |
| Eugene & Anke McKernan | McKernan Woollen Mills | CLARE | Textiles – Fashion |
| Ijeoma Griffin | Ejay Griffin | LIMERICK | Fashion Design |
Photographer: Finbarr O’Rourke
About Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for craft and design in Ireland, we support designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of craft and design. DCCI’s activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 64 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie @dccireland
About Cork Airport:
Cork Airport is Ireland’s second busiest airport, serving Munster and the South of Ireland. Internationally, Cork Airport is Ireland’s Gateway to the South and this year expects to welcome 2.7 million passengers. With over 40 routes, operated by 8 airlines, Cork Airport is a key economic enabler for the South of Ireland and contributes almost €1bn to the Irish economy.
www.corkairport.com @corkairport
