European creatives to be welcomed to Irish Design Week

'Fáilte Future Europe' theme for EU Presidency

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced details of Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI)'s fifth annual Irish Design Week (IDW 2026), from Saturday 7th to Saturday 14th November. This weeklong, nationwide programme celebrates design in all its iterations ranging from fashion to architecture, and from craft to graphic design.

This year, as Ireland is hosting the EU Presidency from July to December, IDW 2026 arrives at a strategically significant moment and will highlight design’s capacity to address and progress complex societal, cultural, and economic challenges.

DCCI has partnered with the Federation of European Creative Industries to host the prestigious European Creative Industries Summit, the flagship event for the week. Framed around the theme Fáilte Future Europe, IDW 2026 is an opportunity for Ireland to project its creative strengths and leadership on a global scale. Pairing the traditional Irish concept of fáilte, the warmth and hospitality of Ireland with a forward-looking European agenda, this year’s festival celebrates Irish heritage and design through a global lens.

The week is organised into four distinct event strands. Beyond the flagship category, DCCI is overseeing commissioned events, which are curated by established organisations with creative input and financial backing from the council. The framework also incorporates smaller third-party events funded through a competitive callout, alongside independently funded third-party events that are integrated directly into the official programme listed on irishdesignweek.ie.

"As Ireland holds the European Presidency this year, Irish Design Week 2026 is a timely opportunity to showcase the creativity, innovation and talent that define Ireland's design sector," the Taoiseach commented at the launch at Government Buildings.

"Under the theme Fáilte Future Europe, it reflects Ireland's commitment to collaboration, ambition and creative leadership at home as well as across Europe. Irish Design Week celebrates the vital contribution that design makes to our culture, our economy and our communities, while showcasing Ireland's creative strengths to audiences at home and around the world."

Mary Blanchfield, CEO at Design & Crafts Council Ireland, added: “ This is our most ambitious programme yet. IDW 2026 is an invitation for everyone to experience the power of design to inspire, solve problems and bring people together. Through a large number of events taking place across the country, we'll celebrate the work of Ireland's designers and makers while creating opportunities for new ideas and collaborations. As we welcome creative leaders from across Europe to Ireland, we look forward to showcasing the richness of Irish design, craft, heritage and innovation. We hope Irish Design Week 2026 will leave a lasting legacy by strengthening connections, championing creative excellence and demonstrating the positive impact design can have on society."

The Irish Design Week (IDW 2026) Schedule

Saturday 7th November

Standing Ground exhibition in Collins Barracks (Partner: National Museum of Ireland). A highlight of this year's programme is the unveiling of the Standing Ground exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland, a collaborative showcase of Irish fashion couture featuring designer Michael Stewart, designer-educator Natalie B. Coleman, and Monaghan-based Carrickmacross Lace artisans.

Monday 9th November to Wednesday 11th November inclusive

Flagship partnership events:

Design and Craft Conference at NCAD (Monday, 9th November), IADT Ireland’s Design History from Arts and Craft to AI (Tuesday, 10th November) and TU Dublin (Wednesday, 11th November) conferences.

Tuesday 10th November

Flagship partnership event:

IDEA exhibition in DCCI National Design & Craft Gallery, Kilkenny – opening

Wednesday 11th November

Flagship event: Official opening of European Creative Industries Summit and Keynote address

Thursday 12th November

Flagship event: Full day programme at RIAM, Westland Row

Friday 13th November

Flagship event:

Series of commissioned third-party regional events attended by delegates from the previous day’s summit - immersion in heritage craft and landscape followed by design led discussion and reflection featuring icons such as Donegal Tweed, Connemara Marble and Waterford Crystal plus a trip to the Kenmare Design Festival

Saturday 14th November

Design Kenmare – the Regional Wrap Up