About Us

MADE in Kilkenny Craft Trail

‘MADE in Kilkenny’ was formed in early 2009, and was set up to foster excellence in crafts in County Kilkenny, to encourage the growth of the professional craft industry and to promote the county as a shopping destination for authentic, handmade craft in Ireland.

Kilkenny, has long had the reputation for being a hub of creativity, and ‘MADE in Kilkenny’ contributes to this. In this brochure and on our website you will find a guide to various Designer-Makers, and a map to help you find them.

All the craftspeople in ‘MADE in Kilkenny’ make their own work using both traditional and modern techniques, from the white-hot furnace of the glass-blower to the throwing wheel of the potter. From the practiced hammering and manipulation of precious metals, the careful sawing, turning and chiseling of wood and stone, to the tasteful stitching of textiles and leather, all these craftspeople are contributing to Irelands heritage. They are preserving and developing ancient techniques, and presenting you with beautiful pieces to drink and to eat from, to carry and to store things in, to sit on, to admire, and to adorn the body with!

It is intended that you use this brochure as a shopping guide, for a pleasant day out visiting the various craft shops amongst Kilkenny’s scenic countryside and historical city. Or, to get that perfect present for yourself or someone else, use the information and map provided to visit and meet a specific crafts person.

If you are staying in Kilkenny on a holiday, please use this guide and others in the range of Trail Kilkenny leisure guides to make your stay as interesting and pleasant as possible.

To Commission that Special Piece

All the members of ‘MADE in Kilkenny’ are full time professional Crafts People who will also make one-off pieces for your specific needs or desires. Using their technical and design skills, they can create work for you by commission. Should you need special corporate presentations our members are experienced in providing well-packaged gifts. Feel free to contact any of the Designer-Makers of “MADE in Kilkenny” to discuss your specific requirements.

Criteria to join
If you would like to become a members of MADE in Kilkenny and you are
 
*A fulltime, professional designer/maker of your own product
*Based in Kilkenny
*Have been in business for 4 years or more
*Proposed and seconded by existing members of MADE
*A completed application form and a sample of your work will be assessed by an application panel.
*Next round of applications will be accepted in early 2011