Overseas buyers flocking to Showcase to see very best of Irish design

Carol O’Callaghan checks out a long-running exhibition where Irish design is attracting growing numbers of buyers from overseas and from the home market, too.

Showcase, now in its 41st year, takes place at the RDS from Sunday, January 22, to Wednesday, January 25, with retail buyers from the UK, US, mainland Europe, and the Far East coming to see what Irish designers and makers have to offer in homewares, jewellery, and fashion.

Organised by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and Showcase Ireland Events, it’s an ever-evolving production and one of many events the council organises to promote Irish design internationally, although Showcase is the original of the species and a stalwart of the promotional calendar.