Monday, 19th January 2026: The first ever conference in Ireland on craft and industrial geographical indication (CIGI) protections will be held at the RDS on Monday 19th of January 2026. It is the first 2026 destination of the EU Capitals CIGI Tour and conveniently coincides with Showcase Ireland, the long established domestic and international craft and design tradeshow that takes place in the RDS from 18th-21st January.
Design & Crafts Council Ireland in conjunction with Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, EU Commission DG-Grow and EUIPO, is hosting the international conference in the RDS Dublin on Monday, 19th January. It aims to raise awareness of the new CIGI scheme, and to provide practical information and insights into the scheme with craft sector stakeholders in Ireland and other member states via live webinar link.
Geographical Indications are labels that demonstrate a product has been made in a specific location using local traditional skills native to that locale. Previously the Geographical Indications system varied from country to country, however, since December 1st, 2025, the GI label can be awarded to craft products under a EU-wide framework.
The classification is significant in the benefits it affords successful applicants. For producers it protects product names from imitation or misuse; provides support and collaboration in setting quality standards; and allows producers to compete on authenticity, not cost. It also marks an opportunity for regions to boost local economies, especially in rural areas; preserve traditional skills and cultural heritage; and put places on the map – like Limoges or Venice. There are already applications underway for Donegal tweed and Connemara marble.
MC for the conference will be MEP Cynthia Ní Murchú and it will be opened by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD. Speakers include:
- Mary Blanchfield – CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI).
- Claudia Martinez Felix – Deputy Head of Intangible Economy Directorate General for Internal Market Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs EU.
- Nathalie Berger –Director for Competitiveness Coordination, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs (GROW).
- Edyta Demby-Siwek – Deputy Executive Director and Dr. Thorsten Ickenroth – Team leader, GI Division – European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
- Anne von Zukowski, Intellectual Property Unit, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission.
- James Kelly, Controller IPOI Ireland.
- Valerie Marie d’Avigneau – Deputy Head of Intangible Economy Directorate General for Internal Market Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs EU.
- Audrey Aubard – General Secretary of the French Federation of industrial and craft GIs (FFIGIA).
- Dr. Andrea Zappalaglio – Associate Professor in Intellectual Property Law, School of Law, University of Leeds.
- Joe Burke, Senior Manager for Meat & Livestock, Bord Bia and Eoin Ó Catháin – Director of the Irish Whiskey Association.
- Bernard O’Connor – BL Brussels based Senior Council and expert litigator on Geographical Indications.
- Kieran Molloy – Molloy & Sons: Patrick Temple, McGee 1866.
- Stephen Walsh Connemara Marble Quarry owner.
- Tony Hayes – Irish Handmade Glass Company in Waterford
Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland commented: “This will be the 51st year of Showcase, where we present Ireland’s finest craft makers to international audiences. Every year, the line up of makers is an impressive demonstration of the talent and skills of our artisan producers. The introduction of the Geographical Indication award is a much-needed protection for these small, sustainable producers. It safeguards the authenticity of the products they have made using specialist skills that have been taught through generations. The CIGI protection will create a demand for authentic products that have cultural significance.
We are delighted to host the first EU Capitals CIGI conference for 2026 and welcome all our island’s small producers to register to attend online on in person for a lively, informative and educational conference.”
Hosted in the Minerva Suite in the RDS, Dublin 4, the EU Capitals CIGI Tour takes place on Monday, 19th of January 2026 and starts at 9:00am until 13:00pm. Attendees can visit Showcase Ireland 2026 Trade Show at 14:00pm. This event will take place in-person and online. For further details on the event or to pre-register to attend online, please click HERE.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, DCCI, [email protected].
For further press information please contact Elevate PR on [email protected].
About EUIPO
EUIPO is the EU authority responsible for managing the EU-wide registration system for geographical indications (GIs) for craft and industrial products.
About Intellectual Property Office of Ireland
The Intellectual Property Office of Ireland is responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright.
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, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 68 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie / @dccireland
About Showcase
Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® is one of the country’s largest international trade shows. The annual event is attended by thousands of buyers from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, USA, Mainland Europe, Asia, and Africa generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide. Almost 400 Irish brands are exhibited at the fair, including emerging Irish businesses supported by their Local Enterprise Offices. Showcase is for trade attendance only.
www.showcaseireland.com / @showcase_ireland
