RDS Craft Competition Winners Exhibition

This exhibition is a major event in the Irish Craft industry calendar, being a unique opportunity for craft professionals to compete for prestigious awards and display their skill and workmanship. This exhibition also presents the second opportunity for Draíocht to show high quality craft, the first being the Interiors Exhibition in March 2001.

The RDS competition has 19 categories and covers a wide spectrum of craft specialities, including rarely seen practices such as lace-making, blacksmithing, felting, and embroidery, along with the more traditionally known crafts of ceramics, jewellery, furniture making, and glass-making amongst others.

The major award of €6,500 was won by John Piekaar from Co Down, for his Black American Walnut barrel cabinet, John is a furniture maker studying in Buckinghamshire College. Second prize went to NCAD graduate Clare Grennan from Ballinteer in Dublin for her aeroplane jewellery.

The competition, with one of the largest prize funds of €24,000 in Europe, is a major event in the Irish Crafts industry calendar, allowing professional and amateur craft designers to compete together for prestigious awards.

Up to 60 pieces of craft work from all categories will be on display at Draíocht.

Opened by Mr Michael Jacob, President of the Royal Dublin Society.