JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1984
Crafts Council of Ireland Thomas Prior House Merrion Road Dublin 4
RECORD SALES AGAIN The 8th National Crafts Trade Fair, which was opened by Minister of State Eddie Collins TD, Minister with resonsibility for the craft sector, on 16th January, was, like its predecessor, a marked success. Direct order taken at the Fair were up by 50% as were export sales. When the fair ended after three days trading, orders recorded amounted to marginally over £3.3 million. The export content has been estimated at £1.6 million. Judging by the number of letters received by the Council from exhibitors, the majority were happy with the results and with the general organisation. For the first time the fair extended its limits beyond the RDS Industries Hall and into the second hall which was mainly devoted to producers of giftware. While the main reason for a second hall was to accommodate those companies marginally related to the crafts sector, whose business was in the same market place and with the same buyers. In 1983 many of these companies operated outside the limitations of the National Crafts Trade Fair and drew many of the export buyers away from the fair for one whole day. This year all 150 plus export buyers remained solidly buying from day one to day three. Once again textiles as a general category recorded the most sales at £1.9 million with knitwear alone accounting for almost half of that total.
Mr. P. White, Managing Director, IDA, Justin Keating, Crafts Council Chairman, Minister of State Eddie Collins TD with Joanne and Charlie Smith of Waterford Bronze, new exhibitors at the 8th National Crafts Trade Fair. Joe Heather, Catherine, Michael, Addrienne and Gabrielle on their stand.
Telephone 680764 / 603070