What Irish Craft Events Are Near You?
There is something very satisfying about watching a skilled maker at work as a lump of clay becomes a bowl, a bundle of willow takes the shape of a basket, and a piece of timber that might otherwise have been overlooked is turned into something beautiful. During August Craft Month 2026, those processes come out from behind studio doors and into galleries, workshops, markets and community spaces across Ireland.
August Craft Month is an all-island celebration presented by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI. Now in its fifth year, the 2026 programme includes around 450 events involving more than 2,500 makers. There are free exhibitions to wander into, practical workshops for complete beginners, open studios, craft trails, demonstrations, markets and opportunities to meet the people who make the work.
What is there to do during August Craft Month?
August Craft Month is a chance to explore Irish craft in the most enjoyable way possible, up close, and to see a ceramic pot, woven textile, piece of jewellery or carved wooden vessel being made. There are also lots of opportunities to have a go yourself.
The programme covers contemporary and traditional craft, including ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, woodwork, basketry, leather, printing, bookmaking, lacemaking and musical instrument making. There are free exhibitions, and markets and makers’ studios to visit.
Craft exhibitions, open studios and trails across Ireland
A wide range of exhibitions can be found around the country. In Cork, Irish Design Works 2026 brings furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass, willow and sculptural work to Ballymaloe Grainstore from 24 July to 16 August. You can also discover contemporary stained glass at the Gaby Aubin Stained Glass Craft Exhibition.
In Leitrim, the Richard West Exhibition presents sculptural work made from found and unseasoned wood at The Leitrim Design House. Donegal Designer Makers’ free Land, Sea & Sky exhibition celebrates the memory and work of batik artist Fiona Higgins, while the Kevin Callaghan Pottery Shop and Open Studio offers a chance to see colourful slipware being made in Donegal Town throughout August.
There are plenty of stories told through thread and cloth too. Offaly’s Timelines, Growth and Catastrophe tapestry exhibition forms part of Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival. In Monaghan, Stitched Together: The Community Story Shawl Exhibition brings a shared textile story into Monaghan County Museum and Monaghan Town Library. In Tyrone, August Craft Month at Strule Arts Centre with Sharyn Kelly showcases felt work, while Belfast’s free Seasonings exhibition features textile work by Anne Ringland and Rosie Moore.
Open studios and craft trails are particularly lovely because they let you see where ideas become finished pieces. The County Antrim craft trail from Cushendall to Islandmagee connects visitors with makers across the county, while the Islandmagee Art and Craft Trail combines open studios, exhibitions, demonstrations and opportunities to meet local artists. In Derry, Adam Frew Ceramics’ open studio also welcomes guest blacksmith Ian Moran, bringing two very different materials and processes together.
Workshops where you can make something yourself
One of the best things about August Craft Month is the variety of ways to take part. You could explore the connection between food, fire and ceramics at Fire & Feast in Ardmore, County Waterford, or make your own ceramic piece at a Tile Making workshop in Dublin. In Derry, the Coastal Glass Collection workshop guides adults through creating a layered glass scene inspired by the coast.
If paper and design are more your thing, Creative Peninsula’s Make a Pair of Paper Birds workshop takes place at Ards Arts Centre in County Down. Galway offers something rooted firmly in Irish music tradition through Bodhrán Making with Malachy Kearns, while Drogheda’s The Sound of Clay explores ceramics and musical instrument making through workshops, an exhibition, talks and demonstrations.
Craft is less about arriving with a brilliant idea and more about slowing down. Trying something for the first time, following a process and seeing what your hands can do with unfamiliar materials holds a great deal of satisfaction. The slightly wonky first attempt is part of the fun.
Meet Irish makers and enjoy family craft events
Craft Month is also a good excuse to make a day of it. Meath Made Creates at the Swift Cultural Centre in Trim brings together a craft fair, demonstrations, workshops, music and meet-the-maker opportunities. In Wexford, Meet a Maker Each Day in August gives visitors repeated opportunities to discover different disciplines throughout the month.
Dublin’s free Fingal Woodturners Exhibition offers a closer look at turned wood, and Meet the Makers at Painted Earth in County Down introduces visitors to makers working across several craft forms.
For an absorbing look at craft as part of Ireland’s living heritage, Culture in Our Hands at the RDS Library in Dublin explores glassmaking, lacemaking, stonemasonry, basketmaking, hurl making, shoemaking and tinsmithing through the work of eight craftspeople.
How to find August Craft Month events in your county
The official all-Ireland events programme has an Event location filter covering every county and city area represented in the programme. Choose your location there to find what is happening near you.
You can also browse the dedicated Republic of Ireland programme or Northern Ireland programme. This central search is more useful than separate county pages because events can be added or updated, while some activities take place online or across several locations.
Make August the month you will try something new
To make the most of August Craft Month, do a bit of everything. Go to an exhibition, talk to a maker, visit a market or book the workshop you have been curious about. You may come home with a handmade object, or be inspired to take up a new hobby.
The programme is extensive and details can change, so check dates, prices, accessibility information and booking requirements before travelling.
August Craft Month 2026 programme
