Ireland's Expertise in Furniture Making

ATU student, Matthew Coyle from Trim is one of a few selected students at ATU who is part of the exhibition in Dublin. His Ornamental Table made from Elm and Maple is part of the Trees to Treasure exhibition at Farmleigh Gallery in Phoenix Park.

Mathew is studying B.Sc. (Hons) in Furniture Design, Making and Technology at ATU Connemara. Trees to Treasures exhibition highlights the remarkable work being produced by the students, staff, and graduates of ATU. It focuses on the transition of trees into beautiful and treasured creations, drawing influence from numerous sources, including experience, aesthetics, functionality, and the exceptional natural beauty of the campus's location on the west coast of Ireland.

The exhibition will run until the 27th August at Farmleigh Gallery in the Phoenix Park.

The launch event was attended by a large audience and was officially opened by Rosemary Steen, CEO of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland who encourages the public to visit the exhibition over the summer, “The Trees to Treasures exhibition is an unmissable exhibition for lovers of Irish craft and design. The dynamic nature of the programmes available to students at ATU are reflected in the show. It’s an exhibition which demonstrates how creativity can really come to life in the outstanding pieces on show.”

“This exhibition not only showcases the impressive work by students, graduates and staff of ATU. But it also illustrates, through sustainable means and materials, how exhibitions of high quality can be produced. We at DCCI are very proud to have been involved at the launch of this wonderful exhibition and encourage all those with an interest in the sector to visit it.”

Over the last twenty years, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has worked with ATU Connemara, starting with work placement students and progressing to collaborative projects and exhibitions for Government Departments, Historic Houses, and Museums.

For those interested in learning more about the programmes delivered at the ATU Connemara campus, the public can visit the Trees to Treasures exhibition at Farmleigh Gallery, Farmleigh House, which will remain open until the 27th of August.

Further information is available from the website www.atu.ie