Discover the Best of Irish Creativity: Showcase Ireland 2024 Expo Opening!
Best of Irish products for domestic and international buyers at booming craft and design showcase
ALMOST 400 exhibitors and up to 4,000 buyers from Ireland and overseas were at Showcase Ireland 2024, officially opened by Minister for Social Protection and for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD.
Showcase Chair Mary Palmer, DCCI CEO Rosemary Steen, Minister Heather Humphreys at the official opening
The Irish Minister of State was welcomed on Sunday 21 January to one of Ireland’s largest international trade fairs where upwards of €25 million in sales was anticipated over three days of the expo at the RDS, Dublin Ireland. A key attraction for retail buyers each year at Showcase has been the opportunity to meet the face behind the brand name and speak directly to the designers and makers.
DCCI Accelerator Programme
Showcase 2024 also marked the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) official launch of The Accelerator Programme in partnership with Portal, Trinity College Dublin, an exciting new programme to support design and craft small and medium enterprises with international export potential.
“Ireland is globally renowned for its craft and design and Showcase truly is the international launchpad for so many Irish makers to achieve this recognition,” said Minister Heather Humphreys when she opened the expo. “I am thrilled to welcome such a diverse group of buyers from all across the world.”
DCCI Overall Winner Zoe Daly of Eiru (left) was presented with her award by Showcase Chair Mary Palmer
Winners of the annual Showcase Awards were announced on opening day by DCCI Head of Digital & Communications Suzy O’Keefe and presented by Showcase Chair Mary Palmer. Irish industry experts including Local Enterprise Office Craft & Design Head Tom Rooney, Mary Palmer and DCCI Head of Operations Mary Blanchfield judged categories in Fashion, Home, Gift, Jewellery and Wellness for winners representing the best of products. The full list of Best in Category Awards can be found at https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/news/showcase-award-winners-2024.
Rebecca Marsden of the Forge Design Factory and Wool Hub leads an expert panel discussion from the Irish Wool Council at Showcase Ireland in the RDS Dublin
he Edit at Showcase Ireland, a curation of many of the most beautiful and exciting products at the show.
Minister of State Heather Humphreys TD officially opened Showcase Ireland 2024 at the RDS in Dublin
DCCI Head of Digital & Communications Suzy O’Keefe welcomed exhibitors and buyers to Showcase 2024
Showcase Ireland 2024 winners were (l-r) Pure Oskar’s Magda Seymour (Wellness), Lynsey de Burca, Handmade Jewellery; Sean O’Sullivan, Badly Made Books (Gift) presented by Showcase Chair Mary Palmer, LEO Overall Winner Ola Wartak-Tolak (Stories by Ola); Sustainability Award Winner Hanna Backmo, Hanna’s Bees; Linda Wilson for Linda Wilson Knitwear (Fashion)
Added Showcase Chair Mary Palmer of the unique opportunity for Ireland’s craft and design businesses, all under one roof. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in Showcase 2024. You are helping to support and grow our sector.”
Visit Showcase Ireland at https://showcaseireland.com/ and the Design & Crafts Council Ireland https://www.dcci.ie/ for all that is current among designers and makers.
