The craft and design sector is worth nearly €500m to the economy - generating employment and supporting local business.
Over 500 Ireland based craftspeople are exhibiting from today until Sunday at the annual National Crafts and Design Fair is taking place at the RDS in Dublin.
Textile artist Emma Andrews is from Hillsborough Co Down. Her creations are used on the massive television hit, Game of Thrones.
Dublin based woodturner Roger Bennett specialises in making light decorative bowls, vessels and wall pieces that are inlaid with silver. He also makes jewellery. Mr Bennett says that the craft industry forms a very important part of the Irish economy and sales have held up well despite the recession. He says it is very exciting to see to the number of young people coming to the industry, adding that those working in small businesses have the ability to be extremely flexible and bring out a new product literally overnight.
Karen Hennessy, chief executive of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, says that the industry has had a very good year in terms of business and quality. Over 30 Irish designers and makers went to London during the year to showcase the Irish craft industry, and a big contingent is going to China later this month with the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins. She says that crafts will always be popular because people like to own something unique and special.
Maureen Lynch, a Dublin based gold and silversmith, has been working in the craft industry for the last 24 years. She says she contributes to the economy both directly and indirectly - directly she pays tax and insurance, and indirectly she employs the likes of stone masons, photographers and accountants. She says the craft industry and skills like engraving, is part of our Irish heritage.
