Table Of Content
Our range includes everything from Jellycat cuddly toys to bronze ornaments and picture frames. So browse our full gifts range online and remember that we offer nationwide delivery on all items. Our gift hamper selection is packed with gourmet treats, fine wines and delicious goodies that make these hampers the perfect gift for any occasion. Celebrate a wedding engagement with one of our engagement gifts from brands like Newbridge Silverware and Waterford Crystal. We have a wide selection of engagement gifts to commemorate the big occasion including candle sets, picture frames, wine glasses and more. We have a lovely range of jewellery and picture frames to wish that special person a long and happy retirement.
Garret Mallon Jewellery

It was created to inspire, support and demonstrate to industry how design could be the key factor in change and lead to economic success. This was a new departure, up to this point no model had existed anywhere in the world for this type of practice. Teamwork is common today in design practices but this method was new for its time.
Family home with fantastic interior design features for sale in Kilkenny - Kilkenny Live
Family home with fantastic interior design features for sale in Kilkenny.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Galway Crystal Renmore Wooden Boxed Whiskey Gift Set
Design advocacy included seminars and exhibitions, the education of the designers in the workshops led to the potential for good design to spread out of the Kilkenny Graduate Programmes which refined the skills of young designers. Many of those who partook in programmes ran by KDW went on to establish their own creative enterprises or teach in design departments at second and third level in Ireland. The Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW) were a government-funded research and development centre of excellence for design (and design advocacy, research and promotion) which was established in Ireland in 1963.
Do you want to change store location?
KDW demonstrated the importance of design for efficient manufacturing processes and well designed marketing material to communicate the quality of products, it also endorsed the creation of beautiful products that could be both functional and visually appealing. Working with precious metals, ceramics, weaving, textiles and more, a successful sustainable design scheme was born. The workshop scheme was revolutionary for its era and put a spotlight on growing traditional Irish crafts using indigenous materials including bog, oak, clay, marble and more. Steps had been taken to ensure that the design situation in Ireland was carefully assessed. A group of selected Scandinavian designers were commissioned to compile the Design in Ireland report (also known as The Scandinavian Report), auditing the standards of design in Ireland. William H. Walsh spearheaded the establishment of Kilkenny Design Workshops, itself a revolutionary move as this was to be the first state agency established outside Dublin.
Today, Champion Green continues to encourage shopping local and provide supports for SMEs to ensure our towns and communities remain vibrant for future generations. As well as providing an impressive showcase for high quality Irish and contemporary gifts and crafts, Kilkenny Design Centre is also home to an award winning food hall and restaurant which serves delicious homemade fare daily. Although Kilkenny Design Workshops ceased operation in 1988[1] their output had transformed the visual culture of Ireland.

Whether you're celebrating a special moment or simply want to show your appreciation, our diverse range of unique and high-quality Irish gifts caters to all. Immerse yourself in a world of creativity as you explore our store, featuring the exceptional work of Kilkenny Makers like Castle Arch Pottery, the exquisite jewellery from K Kajoux Jewellery and the artistic pottery of Nicholas Mosse, to name but a few. After a day of shopping, enjoy a delightful meal upstairs at our restaurant, making your visit a complete experience in the heart of Kilkenny City.
Jewellery
Retail was seen as an opportunity from the early days of KDW and the KDW shop was used to sell prototypes, promote design and provide manufacturers with a working example of the business opportunities around well designed and promoted Irish products. KDW opened a shop in Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco and participated in in-store promotions in Altman's in New York, Heal's in London and Neiman Marcus in Dallas. The early workshops in Kilkenny were Ceramics, Candle making, Precious Metals and Metalwork Woodturning and Textiles; which comprised weaving and printed textile departments. Industrial Design and Design Consultancy services were offered to clients as the shift moved from traditional industry to engineering based production industries. Champion Green is supported by Visa, in association with Retail Excellence, the Small Firms Association, Chambers Ireland, AIB Merchant Services and Maxol. An Post and Aviva are also long-standing supporters of the initiative through various campaigns and pop up shop opportunities.
IrelandsEye
Today, Kilkenny Design is a family-run business with 18 stores nationwide including two Christy’s Gift Stores and a global ecommerce store with a thriving international customer base. You’ll also find us at Shanagarry, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Cork City and more locations around the country. Our seasonal pop up store ‘Christmas By Kilkenny Design’ is open at Kilkdare Village from September 2023 to January 2024.
Leading the next generation of Irish design is the foundation of our being at Kilkenny Design. Since our inception, our purpose and mission has been tightly interwoven with supporting, promoting, and elevating Irish makers & designers. Here, you'll embark on a journey of discovery as you explore the creations of local Irish Makers, including the artistic wonders of Badly Made Books and the captivating works of Belinda Northcote.
Kilkenny Design Centre is also renowned for showcasing emerging Irish craftspeople and their unique work, respected and sought after all over the world. As part of ID2015, Dublin was designated World Design Hub 2015 by the International Association of Designers, providing Ireland with a platform to promote the skills and talents of Irish designers to a worldwide audience. William H. Walsh was the founder of KDW and Chief Executive of Córas Tráchtála Teoranta (CTT) or Irish Export Board. He had a vision for improving standards of design in industry to encourage commerce, trade and export.
Our iconic flags outside the doors proudly mark it as the ultimate destination for gifting in Dublin. Step inside and discover a world of local Dublin Makers, including JANDO, Jennifer Pierce, Alan Ardiff, and more. Kilkenny Design Centre offers an unrivalled selection of Irish handcrafted gifts. While it has many imitators, the Centre remains Ireland’s most prestigious source of Irish gifts of exceptional quality, all chosen with a discerning eye for quality, uniqueness and style. Kilkenny Design Craft Centre offers an unrivalled selection of Irish handcrafted gifts.
Walsh also realised the importance of design for the Irish market and how the existing situation in Ireland in the early 1960s (including protective tariffs) meant that a strategy would be required to encourage appreciation and promotion of good design. Kilkenny Design was established in 1963 by the Irish government at Kilkenny Design Centre in the heartland of Ireland, Kilkenny City. Craftspeople were invited from around the world to Kilkenny Design Centre to share their skills and work collaboratively with the community to help develop novice Irish crafters into self-sufficient entrepreneurs. Our Kilkenny Design Cafés in collaboration with the Wrights Group are located in our Kilkenny Design Nassau St, Kilkenny Design Centre, Shanagarry and Cobh store locations.
KDW operated from the converted Ormonde Stables in Kilkenny City from its official opening in 1965 until its closure in 1988. The local crafts and gifts on display were hugely popular with visitors which in turn inspired the government to open the first Kilkenny Design store in Kilkenny City in 1965. A second store followed on Nassau St, Dublin in 1976 which remains our flagship store today. Workshops were staffed with teams of creatives; artists designers, craftspeople, apprentices, graduates and students, including technicians and chemists to assist with research and development. The management team also consisted of a creative and active board that included artists Louis le Brocquy, Pat Scott and Sir Basil Goulding. Browse our range of Irish gifts online with gifts for every occasion including gift sets, hampers, gifts for him and gifts for her.
The Centre’s unequalled supplier list, drawn from Ireland’s most eminent craftspeople and designers, gives visitors a uniquely special shopping experience, allowing them to purchase the best of Irish crafts and design under one roof. To commemorate this event, the Global Irish Economic Forum in 2013 conceived of ID2015, a year-long programme celebrating the history of Irish design. ID2015 was a major government backed initiative that explored, promoted and celebrated Irish design through events and activities on the island of Ireland and in renowned international capitals of design and commerce. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marian O’Gorman and Kilkenny Design founded Champion Green, a national movement supported by government, industry and the public to encourage people to shop, support and do business locally. The campaign launched at a time when business closures and challenging times hit communities across Ireland. The initiative connected with consumers across the country and developed into the biggest support local movement of a generation.
Originally from Blarney in Cork, her father, the late Christy Kelleher, was the Founder of Blarney Woollen Mills. Marian credits her success and business acumen in retail to working alongside her father from the age of 16 and leading the team at Blarney Woollen Mills for over 28 years before making the move to Kilkenny Design. In 2021, Evelyn Moynihan was appointed CEO of Kilkenny Design with Marian remaining in the business as Chairperson and advisory. The Kilkenny Design Centre Store & Restaurant, located across from the historic castle, is your gateway to the very best of Irish artistry.
Kilkenny Design Centre’s unequalled supplier list, drawn from Ireland’s most eminent craftspeople and designers, gives visitors a uniquely special shopping experience, allowing them to purchase the best of Irish crafts and design under one roof. Visitors from outside of the EU can avail of highly attractive tax free shopping. Wedding gifts are an essential part of celebrating the lifelong union of friends and our website has a great selection of presents suitable for the occasion. From traditional Irish designs to modern glasses sets, our collection caters for all tastes. Our Christening gifts selection blends traditional Irish craftsmanship with contemporary styles with some lovely designs from brands like Genesis.