Cork Craft Month has launched its most ambitious programme yet – featuring 99 events, including 80 hands-on workshops – as Cork Craft & Design marks 20 years as one of Ireland’s leading craft organisations. The full schedule is now available to book at corkcraftanddesign.ie
Organised by Cork Craft & Design, a social enterprise representing over 110 professional makers and artists, this milestone year sees the festival expand in both scale and ambition. Cork Craft Month, in association with the all-island August Cork Craft, kicks off on 1st August at Fota House with ‘Echoes of the Makers’, a special members showcase exhibition celebrating two decades of Cork Craft & Design. For the first time, key exhibitions will run in both the city and county as the ‘Voice of the Craft’ opens 14 August at St. Peter’s, North Main Street.
Also returning is the EMERGE New Makers Exhibition at The Gallery at No. 46, Grand Parade (31 July – 21 August), spotlighting the creativity of Ireland’s newest generation of makers.
Craft events will run across 12 venues throughout Cork city and county, including Blackwater Valley Makers (Fermoy), Greywood Arts (Killeagh), Kilcoe Studios (Ballydehob) and Benchspace (Cork city).
WORKSHOPS
This year, 81% of the programme is workshop-based – an 11% rise on 2024 – signalling a clear shift toward hands-on, participatory experiences that connect the public directly with the making process. For teenagers, there is a make-your-own wooden toy session and a hand-building clay workshop for children.
“Cork Craft Month is about visibility, opportunity, and celebration,” Michael Whyte, Chair of the Cork Craft & Design Board said. “We’re proud to showcase the work of both emerging and established makers in some of Cork’s most beautiful spaces – from Fota House to St. Peter’s and No. 46 Grand Parade. Supporting our maker community is at the core of everything we do, and this year’s programme delivers that with real impact. We’re deeply grateful to our customers, partners, and supporters whose continued commitment helps sustain and grow this vibrant creative network.”
Visit corkcraftanddesign.ie or follow Cork Craft & Design online.
