Made Local 2024 launched with Paralympian Ellen Keane

The annual Made Local campaign from the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) focusing on the gifting season, was launched recently with brand ambassador, Paralympian, Ellen Keane. This Christmas, as shoppers search for gifts for loved ones, DCCI is urging them to shop for quality and locally made products.

The Made Local campaign has been championing the originality, quality and value of Irish designed and crafted products, and the makers and retailers behind them since 2020. At a time when shoppers are looking for value and the cost of living is high on the agenda, Made Local reminds shoppers that buying locally produced gifts this Christmas is much more meaningful and sustainable.

1,402 DCCI designers and makers and 361 retailers took part in Made Local in the last year. Of those who took part, 84 percent said that they have been positively impacted by this campaign.

Christmas is an important time of year to remind consumers that buying locally produced, well-crafted products is much more impactful, not just to small businesses, but to the Irish economy. This year DCCI reminds customers to consider their purchases carefully and focus on high quality, sustainable products from designers and craft makers in Ireland.

At the launch, Paralympian and Made Local, Made to Last ambassador, Ellen Keane, said: “I am proud to be a part of the Made Local campaign, which promotes the incredible talent and craftsmanship of Irish designers and makers. This Christmas let’s support them by choosing top-quality, locally crafted gifts for our friends and family. As a Paralympian who has represented Ireland, and has been supported on my journey, it is very important to me to champion Irish designers.”

For a full list of Irish craft and design makers and retailers participating in Made Local 2024, visit DCCI’s online directory at www.madelocal.ie where consumers can search for makers and the products they want, by location.