A lambswool throw from Foxford Woollen Mills.

The best of Ireland's design and craft on a global online platform

THE Design & Crafts Council of Ireland has launched DesignIreland.ie, a new web platform dedicated to showcasing the work of Ireland’s leading designers and craftspeople, including Foxford Woollen Mills in Mayo.

DesignIreland.ie aims to provide consumers the world over with inspiration, images and stories about talented Irish designers and their work.

Visitors to the site can browse Irish products across three categories - Home & Gift, Fashion & Accessories, and Jewellery – and then link directly to purchase from maker websites or approved stockists such as Arnotts, the Kilkenny Group, Brown Thomas, Irish Design Shop, Makers & Brothers, and Stonechat, as well as international retailers, including Heal’s, The New Craftsmen and Wolf & Badger in the UK, The Citizenry in the US and Stór in Tokyo. The site also lists where purchases can be made in-store.

Highlighting beautiful work by talented Irish makers, from jewellers and fashion designers to ceramicists and furniture makers, DesignIreland.ie shares the breadth and quality of Irish design and will continually evolve as further designers and their work are showcased.

The site features curated collections to assist consumers in finding unique gifts for the festive season and throughout the year, providing ideas and information on the makers, their inspiration and their work.

Commenting on the launch of DesignIreland.ie, Karen Hennessy, chief executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), said: “This new site forms part of our strategic goal to increase awareness of Irish design and craft at home and abroad, capitalising on the growing international reputation of the sector in recent years.

“Design Ireland has been developed as a premium brand to celebrate and champion the wonderful contemporary work being produced all over the island of Ireland. We hope consumers will be inspired to seek out and purchase unique Irish designed and made work throughout the year, but particularly over the coming weeks as they shop for gifts this Christmas.”

The full selection of gift ideas and featured makers can be viewed at DesignIreland.ie.