It's been a brilliant week for Claddagh Design. If you follow us on on social media, you will have read about the amazing week we had exhibiting at Showcase Ireland. The annual Irish trade show takes place in the RDS in Dublin and brings together around 450 Irish designers and makers. The show runs over four days and attracts around 5,000 Irish and international buyers all of whom are looking for handmade Irish products.
We exhibited there for the first time last year and loved the show. It's a great opportunity to meet new stockists and catch up with existing customers. Every year Showcase presents an award to the best product in the show as well as the best product in a range of categories; jewellery, fashion, home and giftware. I knew I had been short-listed for the jewellery section as I had to send my entry (our contemporary Claddagh ring) to Dublin to be judged.
With the rush of getting to Dublin for the show and setting up my stand, I didn't give the awards a second thought until Sunday morning. When I arrived to the show I couldn't believe it when I saw my Claddagh ring in the winners exhibit! Not only had we won best jewellery product but we also won best product in the ENTIRE SHOW! The next few days were spent meeting buyers, posing for photos and receiving congratulations from all the lovely well wishers who called by my stand to say hello. I am delighted to share the winning design is now available to order online through the Claddagh Design Collection. Here are some of many photos taken at the show. I mentioned I had to pose for lots of photos so I've got plenty to share :)
Me and the trophy I received, this is a handmade solid silver piece made by silversmith Cara Murphy. I love her work so I am delighted to have a piece of hers in my house...even if it is only for a year!
Here's me with Karen Hennessy CEO of the Crafts Council of Ireland at my stand. Explore the CLADDAGH DESIGN COLLECTION
The winning design on display in Showcase Ireland.
Minister Bruton, me and Sean O' Sulllivan from the South Cork Enterprise Board. The enterprise board have been hugely supportive since I started in business so it was lovely to meet Sean again at Showcase.
The star of the show, our award winning Claddagh ring!
Eileen's Contemporary Claddagh Rings for women and men are now available to order through the Claddagh Design online store.