Imagined, Designed, Made in Ireland 2014

IMAGINED DESIGNED

in Ireland

Jerpoint Glass Studio, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny

im agined designed m ade in ireland

A Modern Heritage We Irish are a crafty lot. Living on the edge of the wild Atlantic, we’ve learned to transform our local materials into beautiful everyday objects with imagination and reverence.

A new approach to design in Ireland began in 1963 with the formation of Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW), the world’s first state sponsored design agency, which is credited with introducing the high standards of design into Ireland’s vernacular craft making. This important journey continues through the work of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and its initiatives, including Irish Design 2015, a year long programme promoting and celebrating Irish design.

In today’s global market, provenance and heritage add value, desirability and exclusivity to products. Today’s talented designer makers are combining traditional materials; linen, tweed, yarns, precious metals, clay and glass, with contemporary design ideas, creating a new standard in modern heritage and luxury.

im agined designed m ade in ireland

Textiles & Knitwear Luxurious tweed, wool and linen are at the heart of Irish fashion and textile design. These local materials were championed by 20th Century icon Sybil Connolly, who made her name internationally having dressed American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Rooted in its heritage, modern Irish design espouses a clean aesthetic.

Jim Ryan prepares yarn for dying, Cushendale Woollen Mill, Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny

textiles & knit wear

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textiles & knit wear

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Traditional Irish knits are viewed as contemporary again and knitwear lovers seek out Irish made products for both style and quality. Knitwear factories such as CARRAIG DONN are growing and creative designermakers like LISA SHAWGI are bringing new weights and colours to the mix.

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Across Ireland, from Wexford and Kilkenny to Dublin and Donegal, traditional textiles are being made in new ways with inspiring results. CUSHENDALE WOOLLEN MILLS is a family-run business that has been in operation in Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny since the mid 1800s where the raw wool from Irish producers is still washed in pure water supplied by the River Duiske. The yarn, fibres and fabrics are still all dyed in-house. Philip Cushen, whose forefathers founded the mill all those years ago, oversees every step of the process.

Greg Whelan’s 100 per cent IRISH LINEN HOUSE cocktail napkins feature canines of all

shapes and sizes and are so doggone gorgeous that Barney’s New York has snapped them up.

Co. Donegal is one of the nation’s most creative craft corners. Ardara, its tweed capital, is where fifth-generation weaving family MOLLOY & SONS is based, supplying fabric to the best international menswear design houses. The hand-woven blankets of STUDIO DONEGAL , a unique hand-weaving gem situated in nearby Kilcar, are admired around the world for their warmth and quality.

EDEL MACBRIDE ’s love affair with knitwear pushes the boundaries of traditional knit.

In her hands, an Aran jumper becomes a streetwise hoodie and classic báinín graces iPad covers. From her Co. Donegal base in Convoy she is also the stitch mistress of Knitfield, a knitting circle open to all to explore.

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In Co. Louth, Creative Island discovery makes designer knitwear for men. Positioned at the luxury end of the market Edmund strives for the highest quality yarns and finishing. He recently secured a Japanese agent who has taken his full collection and commissioned him to design an exclusive capsule range.

EDMUND MCNULTY

giveirishcraft.com/makers

01. Dublin Linen & Lace Co.

cushendale.ie

02. Cushendale Woollen Mills

31chapellane.com

03. Irish Linen House

irishlinenhouse.com

04. Linen & tweed cushions by 31 Chapel Lane

molloyandsons.com studiodonegal.ie

05. Lisa Shawgi inspecting the stitching on one of her designs

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06. Machinist at Fashion Hothouse

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07. Handknitted tweed jumper in a Merino Wool and Alpaca blend by Edmund McNulty

irishknitwearonline.com edmundmcnulty.com

Linen lovers Damian Hannigan and Joy Fu are the husband and wife team behind 31 CHAPEL LANE , a home accessories company inspired by fashion and architecture that uses 100 per cent organic Irish Linen. Based in Coothill, Co. Monaghan, their seasonal collections give linen a very modern treatment.

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Ceramics Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW), in operation from 1965 to 1988, was the precursor to the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Ceramics Skills and Design Course in Thomastown.

KDW also influenced nearby neighbour, master potter Nicholas Mosse,the patron potter of traditional spongeware. KDW continues to resonate with Ireland’s new generation of ceramicists.

Joanna Doyle sitting at the wheel on the the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Ceramics Skills and Design Course, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

cer amics

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cer amics

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04 Links:

helenfaulknerceramics.com nicholasmosse.com 01

andrewludick.blogspot.ie derekwilsonceramics.com castlearchpottery.ie ceramicscourse.ie 01. Steven Meek kneading clay, Ceramics Skills and Design Course 02. Derek Wilson 03. Andrew Ludick 04. Ceramics Skills and Design Course 05. Castle Arch Pottery 06. Master potter Nicholas Mosse 07. Ceramics Skills and Design Course 05

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Since medieval times ceramics has been a mainstay of Irish life. The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Ceramics Skills & Design Course in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny has been instrumental in developing Ireland’s next generation of ceramicists through its 2-year full time education programme. A graduate of the course, HELEN FAULKNER , makes tableware that is designed for everyday use. Her design credentials in form and glaze saw her charming espresso cups feature in a recent gift guide in the New York Times.

Master craftsman NICHOLAS MOSSE , the son of a flour merchant, has been using clay to bake his goods in Bennetsbridge, Co. Kilkenny since 1976. The company continues to create their famous patterned stoneware using sponges, an age-old tradition that dates back to the 18th Century. They recently launched a high-end commission collection inspired by lapsed Quaker wear.

Beyond the tradition of the established ceramicists, ANDREW LUDICK is one of the new generation of potters whose decorative handbuilt designs have lots of table appeal. Also a musician, his inspiration comes from artists such as Paul Klee and Thelonious Monk.

DEREK WILSON is Ireland’s most understated ceramic designer yet his work speaks volumes. It has been featured in exhibitions all over the world. His international appeal saw him selected for Wallpaper Magazine’s Handmade exhibition, which debuted at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2013 and also showed in London at Harrods.

Corkman RAY POWER studied ceramic design at Crawford College in Cork. He’s been producing Castle Arch tableware and giftware at the Castle Yard in Kilkenny since 1997. Castle Arch’s unique selling point is the lush colour of its glazes, which are all their own recipes. giveirishcraft.com/makers

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woodcr afts

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Woodcrafts From our native forests to rolling hills and willow-lined riverbanks, this natural material is part of the Irish landscape.

Wood is a raw material that designers can find on their doorsteps. They transform oak, ash and other indigenous hardwoods into everyday objects of beauty and function.

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CHAIM FACTOR is a designer and master craftsman who has contributed to many projects of distinction, including collaborations with Dublin’s Trinity College, the National Concert Hall, and St. Mary’s Church Dublin. Hill Picket has created a range of presentation boards, knives, and limited edition carving sets made with exquisite detail from local woods.

WOODBOFIN founder Caimin Coyne’s love

of wood is inspired by the traditions of sail making and boat building on his native Inishbofin, an island off the Connemara coast. He fuses modernity with age-old techniques to create a range of quirky gifts and homewares.

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While inspired by Irish vernacular forms, Co. Sligo-based wood turner MATT JONES keeps his designs clean and simple to better show off the grain and colour of the timber he sources from local tree surgeons. He produces wafer thin bowls that are strong enough for everyday use.

CARVEON is one of a new breed of Irish

designer companies that are combining innovative technologies with traditional materials. Their range of laser cut wood and leather accessories can be personalised, making them highly desirable for business people on the move. giveirishcraft.com/makers

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Links:

chaimfactor.com woodbofin.ie mattjoneswoodturner.com carveon.com 01/2. Chaim Factor’s workshop, Co. Wicklow 03. A toolbox by Woodbofi n 04. Matt Jones’ fi nely turned wooden bowl 05…. Chaim Factor making a mandolin

im agined designed m ade in ireland

Glass While Ireland has been known for its cut crystal brands, unfortunately the large-scale production has ceased. However we are now seeing a refreshing return to the artisan based production of old. Today, much of our hand-blown glass brings touches of colour inspired by the surrounding landscape. Hand-blown glass is soft yet weighty in the hand, contemporary and made to be used every day.

Sculpting molten glass at Jerpoint Glass Studio, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny

glass

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Established in Kilkenny in 1979 by Keith and Kathleen Leadbetter, JERPOINT GLASS STUDIO has, in its 35-year life, established a reputation for everyday glass for the table, from bowls and jugs to barware and special occasion pieces like decanters.

THE IRISH HANDMADE GLASS COMPANY rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the closure of the Waterford Crystal factory in January 2009. These ‘redundant’ craft workers became productive again, setting up their very own studio in the heart of Waterford city and bringing 130 years of glass-making experience with them. Their classic whiskey tumbler is made for the hand of the whiskey connoisseur.

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BTU STUDIO GLASS makes contemporary giftware based on Venetian glass blowing techniques but with a modern design aesthetic.

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Links:

makersandbrothers.com jerpointglass.com theirishhandmadeglasscompany.com btustudio.com

Situated on the outskirts of Killarney, KERRY CRAFTED GLASS is a family-run business that uses 100 per cent recycled glass in its colourful giftware.

irishkerryglass.com

01. Glass designed and developed by Makers & Brother and Jerpoint Glass Studio for Jameson Select Reserve

giveirishcraft.com/makers

02/3. Glass production at Jerpoint Glass Studio 04. Candlesticks by BTU Studio 05. Lead glass beads before they are blown

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goldsmithing and jewellery m aking

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The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Jewellery and Goldsmithing Skills and Design Course has been nurturing Ireland’s next generation of jewellers since it launched in 1993. Alumni include many of Ireland’s leading designers; Ann Chapman, Da Capo’s Lee Harding and Sé O’Donoghue, and up and coming Janice Byrne of JLB. Anne Chapman’s studio and gallery, STONECHAT JEWELLERS, in Dublin’s Westbury

Mall is a guilty pleasure that showcases her own designs alongside jewellery stars such as Marion Woodburn, Helena Malone, Michael O’Dwyer and Seamus Gill.

Formally trained as an architect, Dublinbased Czech Republic native FILIP VANAS makes technically sound statement jewellery mainly from anodised aluminium.

CHUPI SWEETMAN PELL designs covetable fashion jewellery for your inner magpie. She is one of the new wave of Irish designers who enlist the talents of master craftsmen to turn their ideas into product ranges. giveirishcraft.com/makers

Goldsmithing and Jewellery Making Jewellers skilled in the old traditions no longer confine their work to precious metals. They are exploring the lustre of everyday materials like plastics and pailettes in fashion as well as fine jewellery.

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Links:

jewellerycourse.ie stonechatjewellers.ie filipvanas.com chupi.ie

01. Louise France working at her bench in the workshop of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Jewellery and Goldsmithing School, Co. Kilkenny 02. Helen Malone Rhapsody Necklace 03. Jewellery making tools 04. Breda Haugh Silver and Gold Rings 05. Filip Vanas Chunky Rings

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Design Zero-G Editor Alanna Gallagher Chaim Factor’s studio, Co. Wicklow

Lifestyle photography Peter Rowen Photography

im agined designed m ade in ireland

For more information about Irish design and craft and where to buy, visit giveirishcraft.com /stockists

In partnership with

daa.ie

Dublin Airport T1 & T2 houseofireland.com

Design & Crafts Council of Ireland

Castle Yard, Kilkenny, Ireland T: +353 (0)56 776 1804, F: +353 (0)56 776 3754 info@dccoi.ie, dccoi.ie