A very special evening celebrating the best of Irish creativity took place at The Leitrim Design House National Design, Craft & Art Awards on Friday 15th August 2025 in The Dock Arts Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon. Designers, makers and artists from across the country travelled to Leitrim for this extra special year as The Leitrim Design House celebrates 25 years of supporting and showcasing Irish craft, art and design. 

These national awards recognise excellence in design and artisanship, providing a vital platform for makers from all over Ireland. The event was made possible with the generous support of Local Enterprise Office Leitrim and Design & Craft Council Ireland, as part of the August Craft Month 2025 programme. 

A shortlist of ten talented makers responding to the theme of sustainability presented their work in The Dock theatre, sharing their inspirations and stories behind their creative practice. The finalists were, Emma Bourke, Fiona Byrne, Frances McGonigle, Jim Fee, Michael Healey, Niamh O'Connell, Pearl Reddington, Richard West, Sam Gleeson and Vicky Crawford. 

Following an evaluation by our independent judging panel, Fashion & Retail Consultant Eddie Shanahan, Mary Palmer Chair of Showcase Ireland, Award winning Designer Úna Burke, Fashion Editor & Author Deirdre McQuillan and Head of Leitrim Enterprise Joe Lowe, the awards were announced! Richard West was awarded first prize of €2,500 and a solo exhibition, for his work titled 'Abyss'. A natural edge form turned out of scorched ash, with an interior gilded copper leaf. Richard describes his winning work: 

This piece was born from the destruction of storm Eowyn from a beautiful ash tree growing halfway up a hill on the shore of Lough Fee. The lough is surrounded by steep mountains all around, but a magical light reflects off the water's surface in the evening and colours the valley with an orange glow that silhouettes the rough edges of the mountains. When the tree was knocked by the storm, the landowner wanted the wood to be used for something more than firewood. I turned this piece on my lathe, orientating it so that the winding natural edge of the log could be seen to the greatest effect. Once hollowed, I scorched the surface to accentuate the rings of timber, making it easier to see the thin ridges of the harder years and the broader ones of the years of plenty. I gave the piece a small foot to emphasise the width of the winding rim, almost like a flower. I gilded the inside with copper leaf so it would glow like the setting sun.  

Vicky Crawford was awarded the specially commended prize of €1,000 for 'Hedgerow Engineers' a collagraph print as described by the artist: 

This piece is an exploration in collagraph printing. I wanted to see how far I could push this plate using the building supplies used by one of our tiniest birds the long-tailed tit. Their nests are made chiefly from moss and lichen stitched together with spiders' webs! This allows the nest to grow with its brood, and I’m fascinated by their ingenuity. My plate is constructed on mount board using moss lichen old wallpaper strips and tapes to help create texture. It is then sealed with leftover household paint and coated with shellac. The birds themselves are separate plates made from tetra packs the inside of oat milk cartons! All is inked using vegetable-based inks chosen for their minimal impact on the environment and printed on the 400-year press in the Manorhamilton print studio.  

The judges and audience were hugely impressed by the passion shown through all ten thought-provoking presentations. Hearing about their research and how their concepts developed, added immensely to the innovative work on display, making this an event and milestone year to remember. 

An exhibition featuring all of the shortlisted and winning work is now on view in The Leitrim Design House at The Dock Arts Centre until Saturday 13th September 2025. Visitors are warmly invited to drop in, enjoy the wide range of materials and techniques that make up these unique pieces of Irish craftsmanship. Many works are for sale, with deposits welcome. Open Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm and Saturdays 10am – 5pm. 

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