August Craft Month opens in Mayo at FOXFORD Experience

FROM pottery markets, open studios and wood turning exhibitions to craft markets, fairs and festivals, the annual celebration of Irish craft has officially begun.

August Craft Month celebrates the vibrant local craft scene right across the island of Ireland, providing unique opportunities for people to get involved as well as supporting makers by buying products and learning more about their work.

Led by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) in partnership with Craft NI, the month-long celebration, now in its third year, will once again be part of an island-wide summer programme with over 400 eclectic events in all corners of the island.

Dara Calleary, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation, joined Peter Hynes, chair of DCCI, Mary Blanchfield, head of operations at DCCI, Katherine McDonald, director, Craft NI, and Joe Queenan, managing director, FOXFORD, at the FOXFORD Experience in Mayo to mark the official opening of the August Craft Month programme.

The FOXFORD Experience welcomes all to learn from their experienced guides about a century of innovation, forward thinking, manufacturing and craftsmanship.

Founded in 1892 by an Irish nun, Mother Agnes came to the town of Foxford with the hope of bringing ‘brighter homes, better work and greater happiness’ to the locality and her vision of possibility, tenacity and bravery weaves an intriguing tale through the decades that followed.

Celebrating craft in all forms, from traditional to contemporary, August Craft Month is a social and cultural celebration for everyone.

There will be a range of events including traditional crafts like a leather re-purposing course with award-winning artist and designer, and Ireland’s leading leather specialist, Róisín Gartland in Dublin, to more contemporary events like a ceramic open studio day with Ann McBride.

Said Minister Calleary: “The programme marks a vibrant celebration of creativity and craftsmanship as we open August Craft Month in Foxford, Mayo.

“August Craft Month not only showcases the incredible talent and dedication of our local artisans but also highlights the importance of supporting and promoting our craft industry.

It's an honour to witness the passion and innovation that contribute so richly to our cultural heritage and economy in Ireland.”

For the first time ever, you can use the August Craft Month interactive map on the augustcraftmonth.org website to find the closest events happening in your local community.

Share your own craft adventures by tagging @augustcraftmonth24 and use the hashtags #augustcraftmonth2024 #makeseebuy

For more information, and to get a feel for the craft events near you and across Ireland, visit https://augustcraftmonth.org/.