Stained glass artist Peter Young has been named the winner of the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award 2025, recognising his decades-long contribution to his craft.
Peter, who is based in Dublin and has worked with stained glass for more than 30 years, received a €5,000 prize at a ceremony held at the David Shaw-Smith Library in Kilkenny. He was also presented with a commemorative artwork by 2024 recipient Scott Benefield.
Established in 2022, the award honours master craftspeople in the later stages of their careers, celebrating both past achievement and future creative innovation. It also commemorates filmmaker David Shaw-Smith, known for documenting Ireland’s craft traditions.
Peter’s winning proposal, Drawing Rain, explores the cultural and emotional significance of Irish weather through stained glass works inspired by traditional Irish words for rain.
The judging panel included curator Mary Gallagher, designer Scott Benefield and David Shaw-Smith’s son, Daniel Shaw-Smith.
Applications for the 2026 award are now open to craftspeople aged over 50 – for more information, click here.
