Galway’s thriving arts and crafts sector will see 11 local exhibitors showcased in the biggest ever National Crafts and Design Fair at the RDS from December 2-6.
Among the local craftspeople who will be showing off the best of Galway talent are ceramic designer Roisin Gregory and wood craftsman Tony O’Reilly who hail from Headford, potter Louise Browne of Living Ginger Designs in Oughterard and copper and bronze sculptor Liam Butler from Furbo.
Others exhibiting at the fair include speciality gluten-free bakers The Foods of Athenry, Mountbellew based Paul Sweeney of Woodbow who makes quirky wooden bow ties and the delightful Away With The Fairies who make freshly-caught fairies and fairy doors at Loughrea.
This is the Year of Irish Design and our top craftspeople and designers from fashion to jewellery and beyond will be exhibiting their cutting-edge wares alongside the more traditional fare.
“The Fair gives a vital economic stimulus to the crafts and design industry in Galway and elsewhere with a spend in excess of €1 million per day,” said Festival organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.
“The annual RDS fair is vital to the crafts industry as a whole and it is estimated that it generates enough business to keep most of the exhibitors’ busy for at least four months into the New Year.
“We are particularly pleased to have many excellent craftspeople from Galway involved and showing off such a huge array of skills and talents at the show.”
Record-breaking crowds of over 40,000 are due to attend the five day event in the RDS which will feature over 600 stands this year.
The show features the best of contemporary crafts plus a spectacular Christmas food emporium with over 120 artisan food producers from all over Ireland.
The range of stands varies from jewellery, textiles, ceramics, woodcrafts and leatherwork to paintings, photography and naturally crafted beauty products.
“Many of Ireland’s most established and exciting new craftspeople will be there and because the goods are handmade, they have the added distinction of each one being unique,” said Patrick.
The National Crafts and Design Fair 2015 takes place at the RDS Main Hall from December 2-6 from 10am each day. Full details and booking can be found at www.nationalcraftsfair.ie
