📣 Important Reminder Applications for the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award 2026 are still open, and the deadline has been extended to the 29th June. We are also delighted to share few key updates: - The award funding has been increased - An additional five applicants will receive Project Support of €2,000 each - If you have previously won a DCCI award or bursary, you are still eligible to apply For more information visit- bit.ly/43u9QAw

Meet The Maker – Reham Ghafraji (@soapandmore.ie) From Syria to Ireland, this third-generation soap maker carries on a family tradition passed down through generations. Inspired by childhood memories of olive oil and traditional soap making, she creates handcrafted soaps using natural ingredients sourced from Irish farms. Blending Syrian heritage with a love for Irish nature, each product is made with care and authenticity. ✨ Discover the story behind the soaps and the passion that brings them to life. 👉 Read the full interview here- bit.ly/4e59iXV

📣 A reminder that applications are now open for Future Makers 2026. There’s still time to apply online before the deadline on 22 June 2026. Future Makers supports the next generation of makers as they transition from training into enterprise, offering financial and professional support to help your journey Hear from Paola Di Legge, Overall Emerging Maker Winner 2024, as she shares her creative journey and experience of the Future Makers programme. 👉 Application deadline: 22 June 2026 🔗 For more information and to apply, visit - bit.ly/3QCSBdg #FutureMakers #FutureMakers2026

Exhibition: From the Ground Up: The Transformation of Irish Clay ✨ A celebration of the artists shaping the future of Irish ceramics. Come visit this stunning exhibition and discover the work of 43 leading ceramic artists whose practices are redefining the possibilities of clay in Ireland today. 📍 National Design & Craft Gallery, Kilkenny 📅 Until 18 July 2026 🎟️ Free admission 📸 : Jane Seymour Ceramics For more information visit- bit.ly/4oiYN6y

Today we convened the Design & Crafts Council Ireland AGM. Thank you to all those who attended. Míle Buíochas to the incredible Irish craft & design community, and to everyone who supported us throughout 2025. Watch the year in review and read the full Annual Report here: bit.ly/4v0B5hX Pictured at the AGM- Peter Hynes, Chair of DCCI Board; Mary Blanchfield, CEO, DCCI; DCCI board members and GANS members. @enterprise_ireland @deptofenterprise

🏺 Visit the Clare Potters Market this weekend in Co. Clare. Meet talented ceramicists and makers from across Ireland, and take home something you'll treasure forever. 📅 Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June ⏰ 11am – 5pm daily 📍Ballymorris Pottery, Cratloe, Co. Clare, V95 WP95 📸 Pictured Clare Butler, Michelle Hannon Ceramics, Jars of Clay @clare_potters_market @ballymorrispottery Proudly supported by Design & Crafts Council Ireland, as part of our Made Local Summer activity. #MadeLocal #MadeToLast

💚This summer is a wonderful time to discover Made Local! There are talented Made Local makers right on your doorstep, and across Ireland. ☘️ Whether you’re exploring our beautiful island or staying closer to home this summer, you can experience the best of Irish-made craft and design. When you buy a Made Local product, not only are you supporting an Irish business, you are investing in a piece that’s unique, beautifully-crafted, sustainable, and will stand the test of time. ➡️ Visit bit.ly/3RLeg3o to discover over 1,400 Made Local makers and over 350 retailers #MadeLocal #MadeToLast

There is still time to apply for our short course in Micro Pavé and Castelle Setting. This intensive five-day course provides a comprehensive introduction to gemstone setting using a microscope and GRS power-assisted gravers. This course is open to both DCCI members and members of the public and is suitable for professional goldsmiths, jewellers and industry bench-workers. This course is delivered by David Wilson, a Kilkenny-based goldsmith with over 20 years of experience working at the highest level of his craft. 📆 Date: June 29th – July 3rd 2026 from 9.30am – 4.30pm ⏰ Closing date for applications: 15th June 2026 📍Venue: DCCIA School of Jewellery, Sessions House, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny Find out more here: bit.ly/43d7yFH

A reminder that Future Makers 2026 is now open for applications. We're looking for Ireland's brightest student and emerging makers. In 2026, the programme includes a €38,000 award fund plus a €26,000 mentoring investment, bringing the total support to €64,000. All category winners also receive a mentorship package valued at €1,000, providing professional guidance alongside their financial award. 👉🏻Application deadline: June 22nd 2026 🔗 For further info visit: bit.ly/4e4lwP0 #FutureMakers #FutureMakers2026

Are you a Laois maker, crafter or event organiser? @DCCIreland invites you to apply to take part in August Craft Month, in conjunction with @CraftNI. 📆 Applications close: Sun 7th June👇 augustcraftmonth.org #AugustCraftMonth2026

We asked Michelle about her experience visiting the DCCI Irish Craft Village at Bloom. Happy Birthday to Michelle's Mum! What a lovely way to spend the day! #DCCIIrishCraftVillage #MadeLocal #MadeToLast #BordBiaBloom2026 #Bloom2026

We can't believe it's already the final day of Bord Bia Bloom here at the DCCI Irish Craft Village. It's your last chance to meet our 65 Made Local exhibitors and their wonderful Irish-made products. ⁠ Craft demonstrations today include: Demo Area 1 - Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association Experience the enduring craft of blacksmithing through live demonstrations of forging and metal shaping techniques. Demo Area 2 - Irish Woodturners Guild Watch skilled woodturners create functional and decorative objects while sharing insights into the craft and materials they use. Demo Area 3 - Na Píobairí Uilleann Na Píobairí Uilleann will showcase the craftsmanship and cultural heritage behind Ireland’s iconic uilleann pipes through live demonstrations and discussion. ➡️ Find out more here: bit.ly/3S7FX6m Pictured: John Collins, John Collins Designs; Ruth Cahill, Duck Blue; Maciej Grzechowiak, Kaiko Studio; Caroline Duffy, Caroline Duffy Designs. #DCCIIrishCraftVillage #MadeLocal #MadeToLast #BordBiaBloom2026 #Bloom2026

We got chatting with some of our Made Local exhibitors at the DCCI Irish Craft Village here at Bloom. Conor Cremins — Éalá Bespoke Furniture Donna Ironmonger — Run Baby Run Pottery Paula McGovern — Wizard & Grace Wellbeing ➡️ Find out more here: bit.ly/3S7FX6m #DCCIIrishCraftVillage #MadeLocal #MadeToLast #BordBiaBloom2026 #Bloom2026

It's Day 3 of Bord Bia Bloom today and we're all go here at the DCCI Irish Craft Village! Visit our 65 exhibitors and their wonderful Irish-made products, all part of our Made Local campaign. ⁠ As well as the DCCI Irish Craft Village, be sure to join us at the Sustainable Living Stage at 10:30am for The Future of Irish Wool: Heritage, Sustainability & Innovation. This panel discussion will explore the future of Irish wool through the lens of sustainability, heritage manufacturing, farming, fashion and textile innovation. Hosted by Roxanne Parker, Sustainable Fashion Stylist & Journalist including panellists: Alison Gault, Belfast School of Art; Patrick Temple, Magee 1866 and Chris Weiniger, Donegal Yarns ➡️ Find out more here: bit.ly/3S7FX6m Pictured: Alison Byrne, WildBird Studio and Emmet Bosonnet, Kopper Kreation. #DCCIIrishCraftVillage #MadeLocal #MadeToLast #BordBiaBloom2026 #Bloom2026

Career Opportunities at Design & Crafts Council Ireland Looking to take the next step in your career? DCCI is now recruiting for three exciting roles. Digital Marketing Manager - Shape the digital voice of Ireland’s national agency for craft and design, and to leave a real mark on a sector with genuine cultural meaning. Design Project Manager - Develop and manage the delivery of Irish Design Week and other Design programmes and collaborations throughout the year. Design Co-Ordinator - Support the Design Project Manager and Head of Design on all design projects within DCCI. Explore these and more opportunities here: bit.ly/4nYKTGD

Hear what some of our Made Local exhibitors have to say about being at the DCCI Irish Craft Village here at Bloom. Shane Holland — Shane Holland Design Workshops Fiona Scott — Fiona Scott Resin Artist Gergana Gaydadzhieva — MAMO ➡️ Find out more here: bit.ly/3S7FX6m #DCCIIrishCraftVillage #MadeLocal #MadeToLast #BordBiaBloom2026 #Bloom2026

It's day two of Bord Bia Bloom and the DCCI Irish Craft Village is in full swing! We're celebrating Made Local, with 65 exhibitors showcasing beautiful Irish-made products. ⁠ Visit us for: 🔨 live demonstrations 🤝 hands-on workshops 💐 unique gifting opportunities ⁠ Throughout Bloom, a variety of DCCI guilds, associations, networks and societies will be hosting demonstrations that highlight the beauty of traditional Irish heritage crafts, brought to life through a modern lens.⁠ ➡️ Find out more here: bit.ly/3VDkH8n Pictured: Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland with Anne Marie Horan, Irish Patchwork Society; Emma Higgins Art; Jerpoint Glass and Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association who are all at the DCCI Irish Craft Village at Bord Bia Bloom. #DCCIIrishCraftVillage #MadeLocal #MadeToLast #BordBiaBloom2026 #Bloom2026

Are you heading to @bordbiabloom this weekend? Make sure to visit the DCCI Irish Craft Village to get a close up look at all the beautiful unique Made Local treasures ✨ We're delighted to also host two panel discussions and two fashion shows, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Join us at the Sustainable Living Stage for fashion showcases, expert panels & thought-provoking conversations. Saturday 30th May at 10:30am: The Future of Irish Wool: Heritage, Sustainability & Innovation: The panel discussion will explore the future of Irish wool through the lens of sustainability, heritage manufacturing, farming, fashion and textile innovation. Hosted by Roxanne Parker, Sustainable Fashion Stylist & Journalist including panellists: Alison Gault, Belfast School of Art; Patrick Temple, Magee 1866 and Chris Weiniger, Donegal Yarns Sunday 31 May at 11:15am: Irish Linen: Heritage Craft, Contemporary Fashion & Sustainable Futures. The panel discussion will explore the rich heritage and evolving future of Irish linen through weaving, fashion, sustainability and endangered craft practices. Hosted by Roxanne Parker, Sustainable Fashion Stylist & Journalist including panellists: Rosie Temple, Magee 1866; Alison Gault, Belfast School of Art; Kevin Devlin, William Clark & Sons and Annalise Fallon Duffy, The Linen Shirt Company Images: 1. Sarah Morrissey wears a rose blouse and matching linen palazzo pants by Linen Shirt Company, styled with flower earrings by Melanie Hand. 2. Alexander wears a three-piece linen suit by Celtic Tweed, a men’s linen shirt by The Linen Shirt Company, and a silk flower-print scarf by Lou Brennan. 3. Sarah Morrissey wears floral earrings by Melanie Hand and a knitted dress by Miss She’s Got Knits. 4. Alexander wears a knitwear top by MAR knitwear and Native Denim selvedge jeans. Find out more here: bit.ly/4dDzxEw #DCCIIrishCraftVillage #MadeLocal #MadeToLast #BordBiaBloom2026 #Bloom2026

The Galway Potters Market returns this weekend to Eyre Square, Galway 🌿🏺 Supported in 2026 by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland, this annual celebration of Irish ceramics and pottery brings together talented makers from across the country for two days of beautiful handcrafted work, live demonstrations, and the opportunity to meet the makers behind the pieces. As part of DCCI’s Made Local campaign, Galway Potters Market is one of three Irish craft markets selected to receive support through the new Made Local Summer initiative, designed to invest in and strengthen retail opportunities for makers across Ireland. 📍 Eyre Square, Galway 📅 Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May ⏰ 10am – 6pm daily Whether you’re a dedicated collector, searching for a unique handmade gift, or simply looking to explore the vibrant world of Irish ceramics, this is a wonderful weekend event not to be missed. 📸 Taken at Made Local Market @galwaypottersmarket 2024. #MadeLocal #MadeToLast

From the Ground Up: The Transformation of Irish Clay @ndcgallery⁠ ⁠ This unmissable exhibition brings together forty-three of Ireland’s leading ceramic artists, representing over a thousand years of combined experience, creativity, and craftsmanship. Collectively, they embody the extraordinary strength, diversity, and vitality of Irish ceramics today. ⁠ ⁠ 📍 National Design & Craft Gallery, Kilkenny⁠ ⁠ 🗓️ 21 March – 18 July 🎟️ Free⁠ ⁠ 🔗 For further info visit: bit.ly/4d0F5ck ⁠ 📸 Markus Jungmann @markus_jungmann_ceramics