Dr. Panti Bliss Launches Made Local 2025 With Design & Crafts Council Ireland

Tuesday, 7th October: Today, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) launched its annual Made Local campaign focusing on the gifting season, with brand ambassador, Panti Bliss. This Christmas, as shoppers search for gifts for their loved ones, DCCI encourages consumers to discover, experience, and support beautiful products by local makers across the country. Made Local celebrates the exceptional talent, skill, and creativity of Ireland’s designers and makers.

This year’s Made Local campaign, fronted by Panti Bliss, celebrates the spirit of community and grassroots energy that has always been central to Ireland’s greatest movements. Just as the Marriage Equality Referendum showed the power of local voices coming together ten years ago, Made Local highlights the products and makers whose creativity, skill and production are empowered by community support and its importance to Irish customers. The campaign shines a spotlight on the retailers proudly stocking Irish craft and reminds shoppers that every purchase is more than just a gift, it’s an investment in local talent, traditional skills and the communities that make Ireland unique.

Christmas is an important time of year for Ireland’s design and craft sector both for the makers and retailers, and this year DCCI is highlighting the real difference consumers can make by buying products made locally. Almost 1,500 DCCI designers and makers and over 350 retailers across Ireland take part in Made Local each year. Research, carried out by Amárach on behalf of DCCI, shows that supporting local businesses is the number one factor influencing the decision to purchase Made Local products (67%), while Christmas remains the key occasion when Irish adults are most likely to buy Irish craft items (52%).

Choosing locally made products not only sustains jobs and small businesses across the country; it also strengthens Ireland’s creative economy. It reflects a strong consumer desire to support local makers, designers and craftspeople especially at Christmas, as shoppers choose meaningful, high-quality, and sustainable gifts.

Commenting on the launch of Made Local 2025, Alan Dillon TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with special responsibility for Employment, Small Business and Retail and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for Circular Economy, said:

“In today’s world, sustainability and community matter more than ever, and supporting local design and craft is a powerful choice. Made Local by Design & Crafts Council Ireland highlights the extraordinary talent of Irish designers and makers, whose work embodies our cultural heritage and modern creativity. Choosing a Made Local gift this Christmas means choosing something that carries true meaning while also supporting livelihoods across the country and strengthening Ireland’s creative economy.”

Adding to this, Made Local ambassador, Panti Bliss, said:
“I’m delighted to be this year’s ambassador for the Made Local campaign, which shines a light on the incredible creativity and talent of Irish makers. Ten years on from the Marriage Equality Referendum, we’re reminded that real change whether for people or for communities starts at the grassroots. Made Local reflects this approach. It’s about supporting what’s homegrown, authentic, and uniquely Irish. This Christmas, when you choose a Made Local gift, you’re standing behind local makers, supporting communities, and celebrating the best of who we are.”

Design & Crafts Council Ireland, CEO, Mary Blanchfield, commented:
“The Made Local campaign continues to highlight the strength, creativity, and commitment of Ireland’s design and craft sector. Irish-made products embody authenticity, sustainability, and the skill of makers whose work is rooted in both tradition and innovation. I’m delighted that this campaign not only celebrates our designers and craftspeople but also makes a real difference for their businesses with 87% of retailers reporting a positive impact on sales when displaying the Made Local point of sale in their stores. Our consumer research has shown that the more people know about Made Local, the more inclined they are to look for locally made products – please spread the Made Local word!

At Design & Crafts Council Ireland, our mission is to champion and support craftspeople by nurturing creativity, driving innovation and enabling sustainable growth. We are committed to creating opportunities for designers and craftspeople to grow, while ensuring Ireland’s rich craft heritage continues to inspire future generations. Through initiatives like Made Local, we connect consumers with the stories and the skills of Irish designers and makers, while fostering a deeper appreciation and long-term support for the craft sector.

This Christmas, choosing Made Local means choosing quality, meaning, and supporting communities, while sustaining livelihoods across the country. We are proud to showcase the extraordinary talent of our members, whose work brings beauty and lasting value into homes at Christmas and beyond.”

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

ENDS

For further press information, please contact [email protected]

For further information on DCCI and Made Local, please contact Eimear Harding at DCCI on [email protected] / [email protected]

Note to Editors:

About Made Local
DCCI developed the ‘Made Local’ initiative during the COVID pandemic to support the Irish design and craft industry, and to boost sales and drive revenue for both makers and retailers. There are currently 1,402 makers and 361 retailers involved in the campaign, and these numbers are continuing to grow. All participating makers and retail outlets are listed in the ‘Made Local’ directory which is available at www.madelocal.ie.

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, Tourism and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 66 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie / @dccireland