The Final Draft > Where to Discover Kilkenny’s Best Arts and Crafts
Where to Discover Kilkenny’s Best Arts and Crafts
Kilkenny is a city brimming with inspiration and creativity. True to its roots, the medieval city has plenty of design and craft ware on display. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a hands-on workshop, or to purchase some beautiful designs, Kilkenny will leave you spoilt for choice. We’ve hand-picked the best places to find some of the most interesting arts and crafts around the county.
Kilkenny Design Centre
Located in the former stables of Kilkenny Castle, the Kilkenny Design Centre is a hub for some of the best crafts in the country. Visitors will be delighted by the range of jewellery, knitwear, pottery, and glassware, among many more intricate designs waiting to be discovered. The centre showcases work from some of Ireland’s most renowned designers in addition to showcasing local, emerging talent. This space makes choosing a gift for any occasion not just a breeze, but an art form in and of itself.
The National Design and Craft Gallery
Situated across from the Kilkenny Design Centre in Castle Yard, the National Design and Craft Gallery was founded by the Crafts Council of Ireland in 2000. As the country’s leading craft centre, it is one of the most exciting exhibition spaces for contemporary design and innovation. The centre also focuses on events and education programmes that are sure to ignite your imagination. The Gallery is a hub for innovation, conversation, and inspiration. This is an ideal place to elevate your design experience and gain an appreciation for the intricate processes behind the creation of the bespoke pieces on display.
Castle Arch Pottery
Castle Arch Pottery is another resident of Castle Yard in Kilkenny Castle. Once you’re finished exploring the Kilkenny Design Centre and the National Design and Craft Gallery, stop in and discover how traditional Irish pottery is created. This studio specialises in bold, unique designs and patterns that take inspiration from Newgrange symbols and Celtic motifs. Gift yourself the rare opportunity to see how these handcrafted pieces are made, glazed, and come to life before your eyes.
Jerpoint Glass Studio
This family business was set up in 1979 and is one of the last remaining glass-blowing studios in Ireland. Specialising in timeless designs and elegance, each piece of glassware is made on site using traditional glass-blowing techniques. Step into the viewing studio, and you can watch as skilled practitioners showcase their skills, resulting in a fusion of ornate design and functional timelessness. These mesmerising pieces are a worthy addition to any home as well as a distinctive gift.
Cushendale Woollen Mills
The origins of wool production in this mill date back to 1204, when Cistercian monks founded a mill on this site. Cushendale Woollen Mills itself has been creating sustainable woollen products here for over 200 years, where every stage of production, from crafting fleece into fabric, is completed onsite. Their products are designed to last a lifetime and made from the finest lambswool and mohair. Located in the village of Graiguenamanagh, it’s only thirty minutes by car from Kilkenny city and well worth a visit for both the quality fabrics and picturesque scenery in the surrounding area.