Championing Irish!

"I am proud to be a part of the Made Local campaign, which promotes the incredible talent and craftsmanship of Irish designers and makers.”

Those were the words of Paralympian Ellen Keane as she launched this year’s Made Local campaign which has been championing the originality, quality and value of Irish designed and crafted products, and the makers and retailers behind them since 2020.

A Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) campaign, it reminds shoppers that buying locally produced gifts this Christmas is much more meaningful and sustainable.

Ellen added: “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.”

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 the’ve been positively impacted by this campaign.

Look one

Jumper by Miss She’s Got Knits. Dress by Laura Chambers Cashmere. Earrings and Bracelet by Aria V. Rings by Caroline Stokesberry Lee. Basket by Saille Baskets

Look two

Knit dress by Miss She’s Got Knits. Earrings by Capulet and Montague.Rings by Caroline Stokesberry Lee. Blue ceramic by Leslie Kelly

Look three

Knit jumper by Miss She’s Got Knits. Earrings by Capulet and Montague.Rings by Caroline Stokesberry Lee. Balum Skirt by Madigan Cashmere. Shoes are Ellen’s own. Styling was by Brian Conway while makeup and hair were by Sue Brophy.

Photos: Leon Farrell.