23 November 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Gifted Craft and Design Fair Cork is the ultimate destination for anyone interested in craft, design, unique independent brands and artisan food producers at City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1.
Gifted Craft and Design Fair Cork at City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1, includes Art Source Cork, featuring the best of contemporary Irish artists. Pictured here Empty Room by Igor Taritas from the Sol Art Gallery.
Gifted Craft and Design Fair Cork packed with original gifts from food to fashion, jewellery and beyond, at City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1. Pictured here pearls from Ardmore Jewellery.
Gifted Craft and Design Fair Cork packed with original gifts from food to fashion, jewellery and beyond, at City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1. Pictured here pearls from Ardmore Jewellery.
Gifted Craft and Design Fair Cork packed with original gifts from food to fashion, jewellery and beyond, at City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1. Pictured here tapas dishes by ceramicists Aoife Slattery.
And this year sees the launch of Art Source Cork, featuring the best of contemporary Irish artists, which will run alongside Gifted Cork.
Art Source Cork will feature 20 of Ireland’s top artists and galleries showcasing affordable painting, sculpture, photography, illustration and ceramic and textile art.
Formerly known as the City Hall Crafts Fair, Gifted Cork is the traditional start to the Christmas shopping season and is home to over 100 stands packed with original gifts from food to fashion, jewellery and beyond.
“At Gifted Cork we celebrate Christmas giving with thousands of thoughtful and sustainable gifts for your loved ones,” said organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.
“There will be a huge concentration on sustainable gifts, with some of Ireland’s most original sustainable fashion, beauty and homeware brands.
“Many of our exhibitors will have signs at their stands saying, ‘ask me my sustainable story’ so shoppers can find out more about the origins of the gifts they are buying.”
Among the new sustainable exhibitors to the show will be Cork company Green Outlook.
Founded by Fiona Smiddy, their plastic-free alternatives for everyday home and beauty products include reusable cotton and beeswax food wraps and stainless-steel straws.
They will be joined by Clare-based Palm-Free Irish Soap who will be showcasing their new range of vegan deodorants, laundry bars, medicated and babysoft shampoo bars alongside their palm-oil free soaps.
Bantry’s Mrs Mon will be unveiling their range of unique wrap skirts, handmade fabric handbags and shopping bags some of which are made from upholstery fabric and repurposed curtains.
Cork-based maker of Viking Jewellery, Peter Bibliw of Nord Emporium, is another exciting new arrival, as is The Owl Tree whose handmade gifts include Alzheimer-friendly ‘fidget’ blankets and cushions.
Ireland’s only wool duvet makers Baavet will also be showcasing their natural range of sustainable sleep products.
At Art Source Cork, visitors can view the works of leading contemporary, abstract, portrait and landscape artists including visual paper artist Miriam Fitzgerald Juskova, Waterford’s Maria Tanner Cohen whose paintings explore the language of geometry and Kenmare-based oils artist John O’Sullivan.
The fair also features The Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium with over 25 local artisan food producers, tempting visitors with the best of the season’s fare.
Among the delicious treats on offer are the Lismore Food Company’s amazing biscuits from Waterford and superb chocolate courtesy of Bart’s Belgian Chocolates from Kilkenny.
Fairgoers can also meet the fourth generation of beekeepers from Galtee Honey Farm who are part of a growing movement to save the native honey bee from extinction in Ireland.
Gifted Craft and Design Fair Cork takes place at the City Hall Cork from November 29 to December 1. Full details can be found online at giftedcork.ie
