Cork Craft Month 2025 Celebrates 20 Years of Creativity

Cork Craft Month 2025 is set to launch on August 1, 2025, marking two decades of celebrating creativity in the region. This year’s event boasts an impressive lineup of 99 events, including 80 hands-on workshops, reflecting the growing public interest in unique, handcrafted items. The festival, organized by Cork Craft & Design, aims to connect local artists with the community, allowing visitors to engage directly in the craft-making process.

The upcoming festival will feature a significant shift towards experiential learning, with approximately 81% of the events focused on workshops, up from 70% in 2024. This trend underscores a broader movement toward participatory experiences, where attendees can immerse themselves in various crafts. Notable workshops include seaweed pressing with Samuel Arnold Keane on August 23, and basket-making sessions with Sonia Caldwell on August 4 and spoon-carving with Tadhg Breathnach-Peelo on August 17.

Expanding Opportunities for Local Artisans

The festival’s growth mirrors the increasing appeal of careers in the crafts sector. Many artists have transformed their creative hobbies into sustainable professions, especially following the pandemic. In a recent interview, Ava Hayes, director of Cork Craft Month, noted that many makers reassessed their careers during lockdown. “What began as a creative outlet for some has blossomed into full-time practices,” she explained. The festival now supports over 110 members, encompassing a diverse array of craftspeople from potters to textile artists.

Cork Craft Month not only highlights individual creativity but also fosters a sense of community among artisans. Hayes emphasized that being part of a collective like Cork Craft & Design enhances visibility for makers. “Events like Cork Craft Month provide a platform for storytelling and skill-sharing, which is crucial for our members,” she stated. The event serves as a marketplace for artisans to showcase their work, but it also facilitates deeper connections with the public.

The festival’s opening event, Echoes of the Makers, will take place at Fota House on August 1. This special exhibition celebrates the two decades of Cork Craft & Design’s contributions to the arts. Additionally, the Voice of the Craft exhibition will open at St. Peter’s on August 14, showcasing the evolution of craft in the region.

A Bright Future for Craft in Cork

As Cork Craft Month celebrates its 20th anniversary, the landscape of craft and design has shifted significantly. “Craft has moved from the margins to the mainstream,” Hayes noted, highlighting the growing recognition of craftsmanship as both an art form and a viable career. The festival reflects this transition, showcasing the resilience and innovation of local makers.

The enduring popularity of Cork Craft Month can be attributed to its ability to foster connections between the public and artisans. Visitors are not just observers; they are participants eager to learn and create. Each event, whether it involves clay throwing or botanical workshops, transforms into a memorable experience.

To view the complete schedule of events, workshops, and exhibitions, interested parties can visit corkcraftanddesign.ie. Given the limited capacity of some workshops, early booking is highly recommended. As Cork Craft Month approaches, anticipation builds for another year filled with creativity and community engagement.