This weekend on Newstalk, we've teamed up with Design & Crafts Council Ireland to bring you an exclusive peek into the exciting line-up of events for Irish Design Week 2023.

From the 13th to the 17th of November, Ireland will come alive with creativity and inspiration as DCCI presents a series of events under the theme, "Is Folklore the Future?"

To celebrate, we have a lovely prize to give away. You could win a 2-night stay, with dinner on one evening in the Croke Park Hotel. Not only that, you will also bag yourself a pair of tickets to Design & Crafts Council Ireland's 'Back to the Future of the GAA' event, taking place at GAA Museum, Cusack Stand in Croke Park.

 

 

DCCI Irish Design Week is returning with a packed schedule of events right across the country.

Running all next week, this year’s programme is focused on Ireland’s rich heritage of folklore and storytelling – both of which are currently hot topics in international design circles.

The programme features legendary designers Christian Bason and Holger Strøm as well as the stars of Netflix's hit show Blown Away.

With special events featuring the stars of the GAA, Cartoon Saloon and some of the biggest designers the country has to offer this year’s Irish Design Week is all about championing design across Ireland.

DCCI Irish Design Week 2023 has something for everyone – and the majority of the events are free.

Monday, November 13th

DCCI Irish Design Week is opening with a special event at Cork City Hall.

• Official Opening of Irish Design Week | Cork City Hall | 10am – 1pm

The event will be moderated by Fiona Kearney, Director of The Glucksman, UCC and will feature an in-depth discussion on Ireland’s plan for a new National Design Centre.

The discussion will feature Design Museum London CEO Tim Marlow, Danish Design Centre CEO Christian Bason, Gerry Farrell of Tilbradden Craft Farm and UCC Lecturer Fiona Chambers.

Find out more on Monday's events here.

 

Tuesday, November 14th

Tuesday sees DCCI's Irish Design Week moving to Dublin, with discussions on the role of design in the GAA and agriculture, as well as a one-on-one conversation with design-driven innovation visionary Christian Bason.

• ‘Back to the Future of the GAA – by Design’ | GAA Museum, Croke Park | 9am

This conversation at the GAA Museum at Croke Park will examine the role of design in the GAA’s ‘past, present and in the future’.

The conversation will feature well-known GAA and design names such as Paul Galvin, Dermot O’Shea, Eamonn O’Sullivan, Sean Torpey, Jim Dunne and Siobhan Doyle.

• Stretching the Future by Design: Christian Bason | Tangent, Trinity College | 12:30pm

Christian Bason, the visionary leader at the forefront of design-driven innovation, brings his wealth of experience and expertise to this special conversation with Laura Magahy.

Under his leadership, the Danish Design Centre has become a global hub for design excellence. In this intimate event, Christian will share his insights into the transformative power of design thinking.

• Irish Design Week vision quest with Climate KIC | Tangent, Trinity College | 2:30pm

This event at Tangent in Trinity College aims to find a creative solution to the agricultural sector’s commitments and carbon targets.

The event features a panel discussion followed by breakout groups working on a creative challenge set by Climate

 

Find out more on Tuesday's events here.

 

Wednesday, November 15th

Wednesday features a debate on the role of design in diversity and inclusion featuring writer and broadcaster Sinéad Burke.

• Co-Designing Equitable Opportunities with Sinéad Burke | Tangent, Trinity College | 2:30pm

Sinéad will be joined by Public Appointments Service Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Siobhan McKenna and Senator Tom Clonan for this discussion on how employers, businesses and public bodies can make small but meaningful changes to allow people with disabilities enjoy equal opportunities.

Find out more on Wednesday's events here.

 

Thursday, November 16th

Thursday sees the return of the NeoMateria talks – an international series promoting innovation, sustainability and creativity through materials.

• The Intersection of Craft & Commerce | East Quad, TU Dublin, Grangegorman | 4pm

The Intersection of Craft and Commerce in association with TU Dublin will host a panel to ask: Do we design because we have a drive to create or are we driven to design by commercial concerns? Join Megan Nolan Walsh, graduate of NACD who has quickly become a rising star in the Irish fashion world, Chaïm Factor & Sean Tuomey as they discuss.

• NeoMateria Exhibition and Panel Discussion | NCAD | 5pm

Since 2019, the series has nurtured a rich exchange among creators, including artisans, makers, and designers from various countries.

This DCCI Irish Design Week talk will delve into the perspectives of the event's promoters and curators with discussions around the themes of 'BioMaterials to Wear?' and 'Rethinking human hair'.

The talk will be led by Materfad Scientific Director Robert D. Thompson.

Find out more on Thursday's events here.

 

Friday, November 17th

Friday will see DCCI Irish Design Week reaching a crescendo, with a raft of different events around the country.

• Design Kilkenny 2023 | Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle | 9am

Design Kilkenny 2023 will build on the momentum of last year’s event and will explore the legacy of the Kilkenny Design Workshop on business and the wider community.

• Blown Away Public Demonstrations| Jerpoint Glass, Oldtown, Stoneyford, Kilkenny | 11am

John Sleepy Moran and contestant MiNHi England from Netflix’s smash hit series “Blown Away” join Jerpoint Glass owner Rory Leadbetter for an intimate demonstration.

• Holger Strøm – IQ Light 50th Anniversary Exhibition | National Craft Gallery 1, Kilkenny | 2pm

This exhibition celebrates the invention of the IQ Light self-assembly lighting system by Holger Strøm while he was working at Kilkenny Design Workshops in 1970's.

• Cartoon Saloon – The Irish Folklore Trilogy | National Craft Gallery 2, Kilkenny | 2pm

This exhibition celebrates Kilkenny-based, Cartoon Saloon and its commitment to Irish folklore.

The exhibition will examine the studio's most successful productions - The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers – with a special focus on the design process, story arcs and original drawings.

• Hail Thee – We Come in Reveries of Change | Irish Georgian Society | 6pm

This fascinating presentation will see Connemara designer Alison Conneely discussing her acclaimed project in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund.

The cross-cultural and multidisciplinary project features nine artists and highlights global campaigns for reproductive rights, justice, and equality for women.

• Blown Away | Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle | 7pm

Following their residency and series of public demonstrations in Jerpoint Glass for Irish Design Week, Netflix's "Blown Away" contestants John Sleepy Moran and MiNHi England join Jerpoint Glass owner, Rory Leadbetter for an intimate chat about all things glass.

Find out more on Friday's events here.