Donegal crafts celebrated in online expo today

Some of Donegal’s craftspeople, both established and up and coming, will top the bill in an online Expo today to celebrate 40 years of Irish and Gaeltacht crafts.

The Gaeltacht Craft Expo 2020 is being held as a one-day online event on Wednesday July 29^th 2020 across – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter

The event is taking place on social media, showcasing some of the outstanding crafts that are produced and developed in Ireland’s Gaeltacht Areas.  

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Is iomaí teach sa tír a bhfuil earraí nó táirgí Gaeltachta le fáil iontu. Tá an-tóir ar earraí ceardaíochta Gaeltachta ní amháin de bharr chaighdeán na déantúsaíochta ach go dtugann siad cuimhní ar ais do laethanta saoire nó am sa mbaile tráth. Beidh scoth na gceardaithe le feiceáil ar Instagram @udarasnag inniu mar chuid dár gceiliúradh dhá scór bliain i mbliana agus muid ag déanamh ceiliúradh ar ré na ceardaíochta sa nGaeltacht agus stair na heagraíochta ag tacú leis an earnáil sin. #expoceardaíochta20 Many homes in the country will house some sort of item made in the Gaeltacht. These items are very popular not only for the quality of the craftsmanship but also for the memories they evoke of holidays or times at home. On @udarasnag Instagram today we will showcase the best of craftspeople as we celebrate our 40th anniversary and as we celebrate this era of craftsmanship in the Gaeltacht and the organisation’s support for that sector. #GaeltachtCraftExpo2020

A post shared by Údarás na Gaeltachta (@udarasnag) on Jul 28, 2020 at 11:40pm PDT

For many years Gaeltacht crafts have been much sought after the world over from Donegal Tweed, to Connemara Knitwear to Kerry workmanship to Waterford Crystal. The legacy of the Gaeltacht’s craft heritage is such that it continues to produce unique and outstanding products from world renowned craft creators such as Brian de Staic, Louis Mulcahy (Kerry), Studio Donegal, Fisherman Out of Ireland (Donegal), Criostal na Rinne (Waterford) and Cniotáil Inis Meáin (Galway).

The Gaeltacht Craft Expo 2020 will give a flavour of both established and budding talent and will reflect the distinctive landscape, traditions, culture and heritage of Gaeltacht areas which is often the source of inspiration for the craft creators.

The celebration of Gaeltacht crafts is one of a range of events being organised to mark the 40 year anniversary of Údarás na Gaeltachta. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus not only the need to celebrate all things Irish but also the significant role carried by the creative sector in Irish society and the need to support Irish and Gaeltacht Craftspeople, many of whom have worked tirelessly for decades on their skills while using locally sourced materials and contributing to local and rural economies.

The Gaeltacht Craft Expo 2020 takes place online due to COVID-19 restrictions, but this is seen as an exciting opportunity for the community at large to connect directly with the makers of some of the world’s finest crafts.

Údarás na Gaeltachta’s social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter will host the Expo, featuring up to 40 Gaeltacht craft companies from Donegal to Kerry and from Galway to Waterford to celebrate 40 years of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s support of the craft sector.