Over 1,000 makers across 26 disciplines will take part in all-island annual celebration
August 1st, 2025: World renowned designers alongside emerging Irish artisans have come together to form a collective of over 1,000 talented makers headlining the celebrations for this year’s August Craft Month.
The largest showcase of craft on these shores returns for a fourth year in its all-island format, as Craft NI and Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) partner to deliver hundreds of events celebrating 26 different disciplines.
A total of 336 events are scheduled to take place across the island with this number growing as the month progresses. Many of these events will be free to the public.
As part of this year’s launch, a special event, hosted by craft collective and DCCI member organisation Meath Made in the Swift Culture Centre, was attended by Mary Blanchfield, CEO at DCCI and Katherine McDonald, Director of Craft NI.
August Craft Month events will be hosted by passionate makers working across craft disciplines including ceramics; jewellery; glass; woodturning and textiles.
In total 26 craft disciplines are represented across a wide range of exciting craft events taking place throughout the month including workshops; exhibitions; demonstrations; markets and fairs; open studios; meet the maker events and maker talks, as well as family-friendly/children’s activities.
Together with the showcasing of artisan and traditional heritage and contemporary skills, August Craft Month provides a perfect platform for the general public to find out about craftspeople and makers either in their local area or in another county and to support them through purchasing their work.
Peter Burke TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said: “August Craft Month is a vibrant celebration of creativity and craftsmanship in every corner of this island.
It is clear to see that craft remains buoyant in Ireland and initiatives like August Craft Month play an important role in supporting our makers in their work in keeping heritage alive as well as developing new and innovative disciplines. Continued Government support is crucial in nurturing these practices and enabling craftspeople to showcase their talents to communities and visitors nationwide.”
Mary Blanchfield, CEO, at DCCI said: “It is a pleasure to partner once again with Craft NI in this island-wide celebration of our wonderful makers and the craft they passionately promote.
Now in its fourth year, August Craft Month has firmly established itself as a major, all-island celebration of craft, growing in scale and impact each year. As public interest in the sector continues to rise, August Craft Month plays a vital role in elevating the visibility of those makers involved and expanding access to high-quality craft experiences that are often beyond the reach of everyday audiences.
We are thrilled at the quality and indeed the quantity of the events that have been confirmed for 2025 and this number continues to grow, in all corners of the island. August Craft Month is a wonderful platform to showcase the amazing work that goes on in this part of the world and the lengths our makers go to keep these traditions and heritage alive.”
Katherine McDonald, Director of Craft NI, said: “From internationally renowned designer makers to new talent making waves in the local craft world, August Craft Month will showcase the range of rich craft stories across the island of Ireland.
Once again, this year’s programmes will give members of the public and those who are passionate about craft a unique perspective on the work that goes on here. It also provides a platform for the public to support the work of our skilled craft makers and learn more about the crafts.”
Additionally, Cork Craft Month, in association with August Craft Month, organised by Cork Craft & Design will once again present a vibrant programme of events in 2025, celebrating both contemporary and traditional craft across Cork city and county.
Share your own craft adventures by tagging @augustcraftmonth25 and use the hashtags #augustcraftmonth2025 #makeseebuy
For more information, and to get a feel for the craft events near you and across Ireland, visit www.augustcraftmonth.org.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
ROI: Lara Sexton, 087 175 5714, [email protected]
NI: Courteney McGuigan, 028 9091 8420, [email protected]
Note to Editors: Craft NI is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
About Craft NI
Craft NI is the sector-lead body for the promotion and development of the design-led contemporary craft industry in Northern Ireland.
Craft NI supports and promotes the craft industry as an integral, entrepreneurial and vibrant part of the region’s economic and cultural infrastructure. Its key partners include regional government and agencies, local government, cultural organisations, universities and colleges of further and higher education, private business and industry.
Craft NI and its programmes are funded and supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.
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.
For more information visit: www.dcci.ie or follow @dccireland.
About Cork Craft Month
Cork Craft Month is an annual celebration of contemporary and traditional craft across Cork city and county. Taking place every August since 2009, the festival features exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and events that spotlight the region’s vibrant maker community. Organised by Cork Craft & Design and delivered in association with all island August Craft Month, the programme connects the public with makers through hands-on experiences and creative showcases in venues across Cork.
About August Craft Month
Established in 2021 and organised by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI – the two national bodies for craft in Ireland – August Craft Month is an all island celebration of Ireland’s unique craft sector. Through a packed programme of events held by craft makers all over the country, it provides opportunities for all to learn about, make, see, and buy craft. August Craft Month celebrates craft in all its forms, from traditional to contemporary, through workshops, to demonstrations, to exhibitions and lots more for all ages and all levels. August Craft Month is for everyone, everywhere in Ireland.
Follow @augustcraftmonth25 on social media for all the latest news and updates.
Presented by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI.
