The inaugural “Crafts from the Wild Atlantic Way” exhibition opened today at Cork Airport. The exhibition by Cork Craft & Design, which showcases the best of locally produced craft, was opened by the Mayor of County Cork Cllr. Alan Coleman and will run for two weeks until October 28.


Cork Craft & Design is a social enterprise supporting over 120 craftspeople living and working in Cork city and county. Its members draw inspiration from nature along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, informing the selection of works for this very special multi-disciplinary exhibition.

Passengers travelling through Cork Airport along with their friends and family have the opportunity to meet with the craftspeople and talk about their work and inspiration noon until 6pm each day.

Exhibitors include basketry pieces from Anne Harrington-Rees entitled ‘Sea Vessels’, combining the kelp from the sea and the waxed linen thread from the land; both natural materials, one processed, one not.  The materials remain the same but each finished piece is unique.

Pottery is represented by two local ceramicists with very different styles; Sara Roberts from Nohoval and Kildinan resident Siobhain Steele will both be exhibiting fine examples of their work alongside a trio of Furniture makers in the guise of Pádraig Hyde, Victoria Breathnach   and Fergal O’Leary.

Textiles is a hugely popular craft and features strongly in this show with pieces from five local textile artists including work from Fiona Harrington and Mary Palmer. Both women were prize winners in the prestigious RDS Craft Awards earlier in 2014.

The skills and craftsmanship of some of Cork’s jewellers will delight visitors, including the first viewing of Colin Johnson’s new range entitled ‘The Lough Hyne Collection’. The more weighty crafts of stone sculpture and carving are represented by the talents of Crawford College of Art graduate Christine Byrne and Innishannon resident Tom Little. A selection of work by fine artist Valerie Walsh Jolley from her popular Douglas Gallery will also be on display.

Exhibiting his fine woodturning skills, Cork Craft & Designs Chairman, Tony Farrell said: “We are simply delighted to have been given this opportunity to exhibit here at Cork Airport, one of Cork’s most iconic buildings. Over one hundred thousand visitors will pass through the airport over the next two weeks and we are thrilled that many of them will have a chance to see the high level of craft being produced right here in the Cork region and all along Ireland Wild Atlantic Way’.”

Kevin Cullinane, Head of Communications at Cork Airport commented: “We’re really excited to be hosting the first Cork Craft & Design exhibition in the terminal, especially given the inspiration for all the pieces on display is the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s a great opportunity to showcase some of the fine work by local craftspeople to our passengers from home and aboard".

“The Wild Atlantic Way, which officially starts right here on our doorstep at Cork Airport, provides a wealth of inspiration. The route around West Cork has some of the most breath-taking scenery anywhere in the world so it’s easy to see how its beauty inspired so much creativity,” he added.

For more information on Cork Craft & Design, visit www.corkcraftdesign.com.  

Cork Airport is the international gateway to the south of Ireland. Welcoming over 6,000 passengers a day, and more than 11,000 passengers a day in peak season, it is the country’s second busiest airport after Dublin. More than 2.2 million passengers travel through the airport each year, flying to over 50 destinations across the UK and throughout continental Europe. Cork Airport was voted best in the world for passenger satisfaction in the ACI Regional Airport Survey in Summer 2013.