Sense of Place
Irish design, creativity and craftsmanship
In association with
Aer Rianta International brand The Loop’s new Design Ireland store at Dublin Airport showcases a specially selected collection of work by 24 Irish design and craft brands, and adds to the strong Sense of Place in the retail offer.
Dublin Airport has become a “true flagship for Irish design” after Aer Rianta International company The Loop opened a new travel retail format showcasing the best of Ireland’s design and crafts.
The new Design Ireland store in Terminal 2 features a specially selected collection of work by brands from across the country. A range of crafted products designed and made in Ireland are offered across categories such as jewellery, ceramics, gifts, wellness, accessories and clothing.
“Through this initiative Dublin Airport will become a true flagship for Irish design,” says Design & Crafts Council Ireland
According to Aer Rianta International Deputy Chief Executive Anthony Kenny, the store is a “perfect fit” for Dublin Airport’s Sense of Place project. Its aim is to celebrate different aspects of Irish heritage at the airport to provide overseas passengers with a positive lasting impression of Ireland.
In this case, that international audience is likely to be wowed by the creativity, heritage, and craftsmanship that Ireland is known for. Many areas of the country are represented in the store, including jewellery designers Chupi from Dublin, ENIBAS from Cork and Martina Hamilton from Sligo; and fashion items from Hanna Hats of Donegal, Emblem Weavers in Wexford and Mourne Textiles in Co Down.
Aer Rianta International Deputy Chief Executive Anthony Kenny with multi-award winning Irish jewellery designer Chupi Sweetman. Her designs are inspired by the natural beauty of twigs, leaves and feathers, complemented by diamonds and gemstones.
Other products featured in the store include candles made from all-natural ingredients from the world’s oldest candle company Rathbornes Candles, which was established in Dublin in 1488. There are also skincare and wellness products from Modern Botany, which is based in Schull in Cork, and textile artist Martina Scott from Louth offers her limited-edition Irish linen prints.
Design Ireland is presented by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), a consumer-facing collective of more than 190 individual brands selected by an independent jury for their high standards of both design and manufacture. The Loop chose 24 of these brands to feature in the new store.
“Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Dublin Airport have a very strong connection as both organisations contribute significantly to Ireland’s economic and cultural development, providing vital jobs across the country,” said Kenny.
“Dublin Airport is Ireland’s gateway to the world with tens of thousands of passengers travelling through Terminal 2 every day and the Design Ireland brands will have great exposure to a wide variety of different audiences every day.”
Design & Crafts Council Ireland Market Development Director Brian McGee commented: “Through this initiative Dublin Airport will become a true flagship for Irish design. Ireland’s design is recognised the world over for creativity, heritage, and craftsmanship. The talented designers that have been selected for this innovative store are living across the land, sustaining their communities and keeping our traditions alive.
“The Design Ireland programme provides support to some of the best Irish designers and makers, helping them to enhance their capabilities and opening-up commercial opportunities to help them grow sales and employment.”
From Cork to Sligo: The featured brands and products come from many areas of Ireland
The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 273 | 12 December 2019
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 20 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (Moodie International Ltd).
© All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the Publisher.
To find out more visit www.moodiedavittreport.com and to subscribe, please e-mail sinead@moodiedavittreport.com