- Over 3,350 buyers from Europe, America, Canada and the Middle East expected over three days
- Almost 400 exhibitors expected to generate over €32m in sales
- The fair is an international launch pad for the Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople
Sunday, 18th January 2026: Showcase® – Ireland’s International Creative Expo® opened today at the RDS, Dublin, bringing together hundreds of Ireland’s leading designers, makers and creative brands under one roof. Showcase 2026 will welcome almost 400 exhibitors and 3,350 buyers under this year’s theme, ‘Making Irish Stories’. Upwards of €32m is expected to be transacted over the three days and the total annual value of stock purchased by Showcase visitors across all buying channels is expected to exceed €124m*, underlining the scale of spending generated by buyers attending the fair. Orders generated by buyers Showcase since 2015 have grown at an average rate of 18% year on year**.
Showcase is a key destination for domestic and international buyers and a milestone event in exhibitors’ calendars who will show their latest collections across four product categories – home and gift, wellbeing, fashion, and jewellery. 105 brands will exhibit for the first time at this year’s event and 280 brands including Brooke & Shoals, Newgrange Living, Vivien Walsh, and Shandon of Ireland will return to the show to sell to buyers from across the globe.
The Irish design and craft sector directly employs over 73,000 people, mostly outside of Dublin, which highlights the sector’s importance in regional employment and economic development. A successful three days at Showcase is the first step in a positive trading year for many of Ireland’s design and craft businesses. Sustainability, independent retailers, and sector development continue to be significant pillars of this year’s event.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I’m delighted to visit Showcase 2026, an event that continues to highlight the very best of Irish craft and design. Showcase remains a vital platform for our makers, providing them with the opportunity to present their work to national and international audiences and to build meaningful connections in global markets. The creativity, skill and innovation on display here today reflect the depth of talent that exists across Ireland, particularly within our rural and regional communities. Craft is not only central to our cultural identity but also plays an important role in supporting sustainable enterprise and employment throughout the country, contributing to the national economy and Ireland’s export market. The Government remains committed to supporting Ireland’s craft and design sector as it continues to grow, adapt and compete internationally. I wish all the exhibitors every success at Showcase 2026 and look forward to seeing Irish creativity continue to thrive on the world stage.”
Winners of the annual Showcase Awards at Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo® were announced and awards presented to the recipients by DCCI CEO Mary Blanchfield and Showcase chair Mary Palmer later in the day. The winners were chosen by a panel of industry experts including Jade Hogan from the Showcase board and Pamela Kerr, Head of Craft & Design, Local Enterprise Offices.
The winners are as follows:
- Overall Best Product Award winner – Michael G O’Donoghue Carpentry from Kerry
- Local Enterprise Showcase Award winner – Crafty by illlina from Dublin
- Best Product Category Award winners:
- Fashion – Wendy Louise Designs from Longford
- Home – Sam agus Nessa from Kildare
- Gift – Hanna’s Bees from Cork
- Jewellery – Saw Framed from Cork
- Wellbeing – Paper + Cloud from Kerry
- Sustainability Award – Martina Hamilton from Sligo
Mary Palmer, Chair of Showcase, said: “Showcase continues to play a central role in supporting and promoting Irish craft and design, providing an important platform for makers to connect with buyers from Ireland and around the world. Each year, the calibre, originality and professionalism of the work on display reflects the strength of the sector and the dedication of those exhibiting. I would like to congratulate all the Showcase Award winners. Their achievements highlight the exceptional quality, creativity and ambition that define this year’s exhibitors and reinforce Showcase’s reputation as a leading international trade event for Irish craft and design.”
The opening day launched with a fashion train throughout the Industries Hall at the RDS with 20 models showcasing 40 looks from exhibitors. Tomorrow, Design & Crafts Council Ireland in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Intellectual Property Office Ireland, EU Commission DG-Grow and EUIPO will host a first of its kind international conference in the RDS to raise awareness of the Craft and Industrial Geographical Indication (CIGI) scheme and provide practical information and insights. This is a significant initiative by the EU that serves to both recognise and preserve the importance of craft and design, and coincides nicely with Showcase, the which brings the best in traditional craft and contemporary design in Ireland under one roof.
Mary Blanchfield, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland commented, “Showcase 2026 once again demonstrates the scale, diversity and excellence of Ireland’s craft and design sector. With hundreds of exhibitors presenting high-quality collections and thousands of buyers attending from national and international markets, the event offers invaluable opportunities for craftspeople to grow their businesses and reach new audiences at the start of the trading year. Likewise, it offers buyers an opportunity to see and feel the products, to meet the makers behind them and to immerse themselves in the uniquely Irish offering that is in demand all over the world. Craft and design are vital contributors to Ireland’s economy and play an important role in strengthening Brand Ireland globally. Design & Crafts Council Ireland is proud to support the makers exhibiting here today, and I would like to acknowledge the DCCI team for their work in delivering Showcase 2026. I also extend our thanks to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices for their continued support. Together, we are championing Irish creativity, innovation and authenticity on the world stage.”
Showcase is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland through its network of overseas offices. Speaking ahead of the opening event, Jenny Melia, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said: “Showcase has become an unmissable event for the world’s leading buyers. I am excited about the calibre of international buyers making their way to Dublin to connect with both long-established and emerging Irish brands. Enterprise Ireland is proud to work with Design and Crafts Council Ireland to strengthen these important connections and help Irish businesses to go global.”
Adding to this, Pamela Kerr, Head of Craft and Design, Local Enterprise Offices said: “We are delighted to be back at Showcase partnering with Design and Crafts Council Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to support the growth and development of our small craft and design businesses. Our Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase gives us the opportunity to spotlight the very best of up and coming Irish craft and design and we hope that these three days will be a springboard for them for 2026 and beyond.”
Showcase was founded in 1976 by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and is delivered with support from Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. Showcase 2026 runs from Sunday 18th January to Tuesday 20th January and is for trade attendance only.
For further details on the event please visit www.showcaseireland.com.
ENDS
*From independent research conducted at Showcase 2025 by Expo-Exit.
** From independent research conducted at Showcase 2025 by Expo-Exit.
For more information, please contact Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, DCCI, [email protected]
For further press information please contact Emma Kelly, Claire Feely, Laura Daly, Rachel McGuinness or Eliza Gallagher at Elevate PR, 01 662 5652 or email [email protected]
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
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, Tourism and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 68 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie / @dccireland
About Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. We work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate, and win export sales in global markets. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth, regional development, and secure employment.
http://www.enterprise-ireland.com / @enterprise_ireland
About Local Enterprise Offices
The 31 Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training, and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to: www.LocalEnterprise.ie / @local_enterprise_offices
