Celebrating National Heritage Week with the Design & Crafts Council Ireland

The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) will join in the National Heritage Week 2020 celebrations with the Heritage Week x Get Ireland Making video series.

The series forms part of the Get Ireland Making initiative, led by Design & Crafts Council Ireland as part of a Government-led interagency campaign to support Ireland’s cultural and creative practitioners.

DCCI has commissioned four makers to share their knowledge of materials and process through engaging videos during Heritage Week 2020. These videos showcase makers in their studios, and give a glimpse into the skill and dedication needed for each craft.

The videos will be shared on the Design and Crafts Council Ireland’s social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, throughout Heritage Week.

The first video features Hanna Van Aelst, a basketmaker in Tipperary who is a member of the Irish Basketmakers Association. Here she demonstrates making a small skib, a traditional Irish potato basket, from willow she grows herself.


To find more showcases of traditional crafts use the hashtag #getirelandmaking.

DCCI will also be hosting the following webinars, which can be accessed via Zoom.

Design Education Kilkenny 1960s – 1980s

Friday 21st August, 12 noon

The National Design & Craft Gallery invite you learn about the heritage of design education in Kilkenny. Panellists will reflect on their immersive educational experience in the Butler House Scholarship programme and at the Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW). Education in a broad selection of design disciplines, from craft to visual communications and industrial design, will be discussed. Find out more…

Irish botanical mythology

Friday 21st August, 12 noon

The National Design & Craft Gallery invite you learn about the heritage of design education in Kilkenny. Panellists will reflect on their immersive educational experience in the Butler House Scholarship programme and at the Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW). Education in a broad selection of design disciplines, from craft to visual communications and industrial design, will be discussed. Find out more…

Tools of the trade

Thursday, 20th August, 3pm

Join the National Design & Craft Gallery (NDCG), with visual artist Caroline Schofield and special guests, for an informal panel discussion focusing on heritage crafts. This webinar will highlight a selection of stories gathered as part of the NDCG’s Narrative Tools Project. Panel participants and audience members will be encouraged to consider how we can preserve and instil the value of Irish craft knowledge and skills for future generations. Find out more…

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