Earlier today, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) officially launched the Design Ireland pop-up at Arnott's Department Store on Dublin's Henry Street.
With homegrown talent providing screen-printed totes, colourful rugs, eye-catching jewellery, sustainable skincare, and pieces of art inspired by Irish life, the initiative gives shoppers the chance to familiarise themselves with 35 exceptional Irish creatives.
Running until July 2025, the second floor of Arnotts will play host to talent from across the country such as Diem Pottery (Co. Meath); art prints by Stephaine Sloan (Co. Wicklow); Oxmantown Skincare (Co. Dublin), and Hanna Hats of Donegal (Co. Donegal).
"It's fantastic to be in Arnotts today," says Elaine Kellegher, founder of LAINEY K art prints. "It's a real milestone for us, it's a fantastic display of amazing Irish brands."
Set to celebrate 10 years of business in 2026, the illustrator says the space has been a fantastic way to meet both potential customers and fellow makers.
"It's so lovely to be able to network with people and to meet with people because it can be quite isolating working by yourself every day, she explains. "You get such a kick and buzz out of a day like today."
From heritage prints to catchy Irish phrases, many of the designs at the pop-up reflect the country's storied culture and rich iconography, often combining traditional techniques with innovative modern aesthetics.
"With Kneecap and the Irish language being so 'on trend' and popular, I find that with my Irish language prints and cards, they're so popular at the moment," says Elaine.
"There's a great resurgence in Irish art. It's nice to see here that it's so contemporary, you know? I think a lot of people have the idea that Irish design can be all about the traditional shamrocks and that type of thing, but it's lovely to see contemporary Irish design on show."
As well as supporting homegrown talent, the pop-up is an opportunity to invest in ethical and sustainable products that don't carry a heavy carbon footprint.
Many of the designers involved in the pop-up are celebrated for their commitment to ethical production and environmental sustainability, making this initiative not only a celebration of Irish talent but also a step towards a more sustainable future in fashion and design.
One such designer is Sarah Carroll Kelly of Shock of Grey, a bold and beautiful jewellery line that came about during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Shock of Grey is a sustainably hand-crafted jewellery brand, it's been like that from the beginning," Sarah says, listing FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood as one of her most popular materials.
As the company evolved, the founder discovered more and more ways to make her business more eco-friendly, sourcing compostable packaging and swapping oil-based varnishes for low-emission products.
"We're a zero plastic brand, we try to do the best that we can," she adds.
A member of both the Irish Design Institute and Design & Crafts Council Ireland, the Dublin woman says that any opportunity to "shoot the breeze and compare war stories" with other makers is welcome and that seeing the incredible talent on display has been a thrill.
"I think it's in our DNA to be cool," she laughs. "I think there has been a rise, with all the Irish actors getting prominence at the minute, but I think Ireland is known for excellent craft. That kind of heritage aspect is something that we're famous for so I think that's a fantastic playing field to start from.
"The talent is there, the quality is amazing, new levels of design are being added to that heritage and technique."
