Irish-made purchases are on the rise, with almost half of adults buying Irish-made craft in the last year, highlighting growing support for the heritage and skill behind beautiful handmade Irish products.
Thursday, 29th May, 2025: Today, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) launched its annual Made Local Summer 2025 campaign at the DCCI Irish Craft Village at Bord Bia Bloom. The Made Local campaign celebrates the exceptional talent, skill, and creativity of Ireland’s designers and makers. A survey, conducted by Amárach on behalf of DCCI in March 2025, looked at the purchasing habits of Irish consumers in relation to Made Local and Irish craft and design. Irish-made purchases are on the rise, with 46% of Irish adults purchasing an Irish-made craft item in the past year marking a steady rise year on year. Younger age groups and women are especially responsive, showing strong interest in supporting Irish design and craft, a move away from fast ecommerce shopping, which has been on the rise in recent years.
DCCI welcomes 52 Made Local makers from across the country at the DCCI Irish Craft Village at Bloom to showcase their work, and there are 1,453 Made Local makers and 355 Made Local retailers across every county in Ireland that consumers can shop at this summer. This year’s campaign shines a spotlight on everyone involved in Irish craft — from makers to retailers to consumers — by sharing the stories behind the craft and encouraging people to discover, experience, and support local makers across the country. Emotional connection plays a significant role, especially among women who buy locally made products, underlining the personal meaning behind every handcrafted Irish product. This growth underscores a cultural shift toward valuing local heritage and the distinct beauty of Irish-made goods.
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. Supporting local businesses is the leading motivator for buying Made Local products, closely followed by price. This is driven by the exceptional quality, unmatched craftsmanship, and emotional value that give each handcrafted Irish item lasting personal meaning, especially among women.
Currently, the Made Local campaign has 355 retailers signed up and DCCI calls retailers across the country who stock Irish made products to join the Made Local initiative. By joining Made Local retailers across Ireland can show their support for the Irish design and craft industry by stocking products Made in Ireland.
Mary Blanchfield, Interim CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland said: “Awareness of the Made Local campaign continues to grow, with nearly one in five Irish adults now recognising the brand and what it stands for. What makes Made Local truly powerful is not only the beauty of the products, but the personal connection it creates — knowing the maker, understanding their story, and choosing to support their craft. It’s inspiring to see that 46% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy Irish-made once they learn about the campaign. This is especially true among younger people and women, who are leading the way in making more conscious, community-focused purchases. Made Local isn’t just about buying a product — it’s about investing in people, heritage, and the future of Irish craft and design.”
For a full list of Irish craft and design makers and retailers participating in Made Local 2025, 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
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For further information please contact Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, DCCI, 083 023 8743 or email [email protected]
For further press information on DCCI Irish Craft Village at Bord Bia Bloom 2025, please contact Elevate PR on 01 662 5652 or email [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
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 sixty-four member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie / @dccireland
