Kilkenny crafts showcase at Bord Bia Bloom

The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) Irish Craft Village returned to Bord Bia Bloom, this year, and among the stunning crafts on display were two makers from Kilkenny.

The Irish Craft Village, situated in the heart of Bloom, hosted 42 Irish craft retail stands, from textiles and printing to woodturning and glass blowing.

Last year, 33% of visitors to Bord Bia’s Bloom festival went specifically to visit the DCCI Craft Village. This year, Kilkenny’s Jerpoint Glass and Baurnafea Studio were featured.

Rory Leadbetter of Jerpoint Glass is a master glassblower at the workshop. He’s the son of company founders Kevin and Kathleen, who set up Jerpoint Glass in 1979. Rory and Kathleen were in attendance at Bloom, one of their favourite events of the year.

This year, they took the opportunity to launch their new Pastel Garden Spirals and Garden Orbs. These spirals will bring charm and interest to gardens of all sizes, and they hope people will enjoy them year-round.
Jerpoint Glass, Oldtown, Stoneyford, is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays 12pm to 5pm.

Baurnafea Studio, in Castlewarren, is operated by Klaus Hartmann and Heike Kahle who andcraft ceramics and basketwork.

Their garden range includes terracotta birdfeeders as little houses, sombreros and bells and make beautiful bird tables in vibrant colours; 6 ft. tall willow and bamboo obelisks for climbers like sweet peas or beans; terracotta cane coronets, cane toppers and plant stakes with metal rods are all available too.
Find them at the Kilkenny Farmers Market, on the Parade, every Thursday and Saturday.

ABOVE: Klaus Hartmann, Baurnafea Studios

“Bord Bia Bloom is a key event for Design & Crafts Council Ireland and its members. It forms part of our national programme of events to make Irish design and craft accessible to existing and to new and diverse audiences,” said Rosemary Steen, CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland.

“One of the key pillars in DCCI’s strategic five-year plan is to target capacity for growth and drive commercial success for the sector. Approximately €180,000 in sales took place at the DCCI Irish Craft Village at Bloom last year.

“This year, we are delighted to have been able to acquire more space from our wonderful hosts – Bord Bia – and to nearly double the number of makers we are supporting, to 42. All 42 craftspeople are also part of our Made Local campaign which places a focus on the importance of local made products.”