The best of Irish design at Side by Side exhibition in Kilkenny

EVERY two years the Design and Craft Council of Ireland, in consultation with an advisory panel drawn from the design world, compiles a publication called PORTFOLIO: Critical Selection in which they feature Irish designers and craft makers they deem to have made the most significant impact internationally in the previous 24 months.

Sat, 11 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

An exhibition shows the standard of design and craft output that Ireland has to offer is incredibly high, writes Carol O’Callaghan

Primarily, it’s an awareness-raising exercise aimed at collectors, gallerists, and commissioning bodies, and this year details the leading designers and makers in the disciplines of ceramics, glass, metals, paper, textiles, fashion, calligraphy, furniture, woodturning, stone, and basketry.

But what is more interesting for the general public and anyone with a love of beautifully- designed and Irish products is an exhibition based on its selection.