Showcase returns to Dublin’s RDS in just 11 days time bringing together hundreds of Ireland’s leading designers, makers and creative brands under one roof. Buyers from Ireland and across the globe are once again expected to attend the country’s largest annual trade event for Irish craft, design and creativity.

Pictured at the launch of Showcase 2026 are Karen Conroy, Senior Development Adviser, Consumer and International Education, Enterprise Ireland; Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland; Mary Palmer, Chair, Showcase Ireland; Emma Dowling, Head of Commercial, Design & Crafts Council Ireland; Pamela Kerr, Head of Craft and Design, Local Enterprise Offices.

This year’s show theme is ‘Making Irish Stories’ - in celebration of the depth, diversity and cultural power of Irish craft and design. The theme highlights the narratives behind the work of makers from every corner of the island and their stories shaped by landscapes, communities, heritage and innovation that makes the products found at Showcase so beautiful and unique.

This year 105 brands will exhibit for the first time while 280 brands including names such as Aran Woollen Mills, Tipperary Crystal, Solvar, Bonner of Ireland, Brooke & Shoals, Irish Handmade Soap Co., Saol Knitwear, Agency International, Shandon of Ireland, Royal Tara and Newgrange Living will return to the show to sell to over 3,350 buyers from across the globe. 

Model wears Patchwork Tweed Flat Cap (Hanna Hats Stand C88), Three-Piece Linen Suit (Celtic Tweed Stand E90), Linen shirt (Linen Shirt Company C99), Silk Floral Twilly Scarf (Caroline Duffy Designs (Stand C78). 

The fair is an international launch pad for the Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople who unveil their new season collections across fashion, health and wellbeing, jewellery and home and giftware at the annual event each year. Analysis from Showcase 2025 estimates that the value of orders placed at the show or planned as a result of the show, exceeded €32m. This independent research also shows that the orders generated by buyers to the event since 2015 have grown at an average rate of 18% year on year. These figures further indicate the increase in the quality of buyer now regularly attending the event. 

Showcase is an important revenue generator for the almost 400 exhibitors that attend the event each year, as well as significantly contributing to the national economy and Ireland’s export market. The Irish design and craft sector directly employs over 73,000 people, mostly outside of Dublin, which highlights the sector’s importance in regional employment and economic development.

Model wears Hat (Wendy Louise Designs Stand C67), Claddagh earrings (Don’t Kill My Vibe Stand L57), Bright Pink Knit Jumper (Rossan Knitwear Stand E60), 
Silk scarf and Hand-Painted Full Skirt (Caroline Duffy Designs Stand C78). 

Design & Crafts Council Ireland, in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, EU Commission DG-Grow and EUIPO is organising an international conference during Showcase on Monday, 19th January. The conference will promote the new EU Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications scheme, (CIGI) for the protection of craft and industrial products. The programme is part of the EU’s CIGI Capital Tours initiative with the objective of raising awareness with CIGI stakeholders in member states about the new scheme which came into force in December 2025 providing producers of traditional craft and industrial products with intellectual property protection similar to Agri-Food products. The institution of this event underscores the strength of Ireland’s craft and design sector and recognises its reputation on an international scale.

Showcase is the largest inter-agency tradeshow of the year for the craft and design sector, and a unique and ‘must attend’ show in buyers’ diaries. Showcase is led by Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide. Winners of the annual Showcase Awards at Showcase - Ireland’s Creative Expo®, will be announced on Sunday 18th January.

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