Today, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) launched its annual Made Local campaign focusing on the gifting season, with brand ambassador, Paralympian, Ellen Keane.
- Paralympian, Ellen Keane, is announced as this year’s Design & Crafts Council Ireland Made Local Brand Ambassador.
- Through Made Local, Design & Crafts Council Ireland is championing design across Ireland, encouraging the public to buy Irish this Christmas.
- Made Local highlights the originality, quality, and value of Irish designed and craft-made products.
This Christmas, as shoppers search for gifts for loved ones, DCCI is urging them to shop for quality and locally made products. The Made Local campaign has been championing the originality, quality and value of Irish designed and crafted products, and the makers and retailers behind them since 2020. At a time when shoppers are looking for value and the cost of living is high on the agenda, Made Local reminds shoppers that buying locally produced gifts this Christmas is much more meaningful and sustainable.
1,402 DCCI designers and makers and 361 retailers took part in Made Local in the last year. Of those who took part, 84 percent said that they have been positively impacted by this campaign. Christmas is an important time of year to remind consumers that buying locally produced, well-crafted products is much more impactful not just to small businesses but to the Irish economy. This year DCCI reminds customers to consider their purchases carefully and focus on high quality, sustainable products from designers and craft makers in Ireland.
Commenting on the launch of Made Local 2024, Emer Higgins T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Equality and at the Department of Social Protection said: “Supporting local design and craft is not only an investment in our economy but also a celebration of our culture and creativity. This is why Made Local is such an important initiative. When we choose to buy a Made Local Christmas gift, we’re are investing in a beautifully crafted product, a piece of our unique culture, and a product that will stand the test of time. This Christmas, let’s celebrate the spirit of giving by choosing a Made Local product.”
Adding to this, Paralympian and Made Local, Made to Last ambassador, Ellen Keane, said: “I am proud to be a part of the Made Local campaign, which promotes the incredible talent and craftsmanship of Irish designers and makers. This Christmas let’s support them by choosing top-quality, locally crafted gifts for our friends and family. As a Paralympian who has represented Ireland, and has been supported on my journey, it is very important to me to champion Irish designers.”
Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Mary Blanchfield, commented: “The Made Local campaign continues to play a pivotal role in showcasing the incredible diversity of our design and craft industry. Locally made products embody authenticity and quality and they are a uniquely desirable gift at Christmas. Choosing local isn’t just a purchase – it’s a statement of support for craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation. These products under the Made Local banner are effortlessly unique. They combine style, function and heritage, making them thoughtful and unique gifts that stand out and leave a lasting impression. As we head into the holiday season, we hope that Irish consumers will consider the beauty and lasting value of Made Local products as meaningful gifts for their loved ones.”
For a full list of Irish craft and design makers and retailers participating in Made Local 2024, 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, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 64 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie / @dccireland
