RDS Craft FairWithout doubt the best place to go for Irish-made crafts this Christmas, the RDS craft fair has up to 300 exhibitors. Here you can source everything from wooden toys to hand-painted ceramics, hand-blown glass, metalwork, furniture and jewellery. The craft fair is held in the Main Hall of the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin from December 13th to 17th. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission: £5. (01 6702186)
Tower Design Christmas Craft FairSome 20 external exhibitors will join the 15 resident craft workers at the Tower Design Centre, off Pearse St (next to the Grand Canal basin) in this annual show of Irish-made crafts and designer items. Exhibitors include jeweller Alan Ardiff, Bradley Rocking Horses, The Holden Leather Company, Loreto Reilly Ceramics and Tunde Toth Papers. Opening hours: December 1st/2nd/8th/9th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and December 3rd/10th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission free.
West Cork Craft FairOver 80 artists including Sherkin Island craft-workers Cillian Gibbons, Courtmacsherry Ceramics and Rossmore Pottery will take part in the West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co Cork. Everything from jewellery, glassware and toys to furniture and wrought-iron ware will be for sale. Opening tonight at 8 p.m. and running until 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 23rd.
