Dalkey Winter Fair Weekend 2011

Dalkey Winter Fair Weekend 2011

Dalkey is preparing to become the centre of attention for design and craft in Dublin, as the annual ‘Winter Fair’ weekend takes over the Castle and Heritage Centre in the village on November 12th and 13th.

Now in its seventh year, the free two-day event attracts thirty seven designers and craftspeople, along with more than 3,000 visitors.

The organisers behind the craft and design fair, the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board, are once again welcoming craftspeople and designers from the worlds of fashion, jewellery, ceramics, giftware, art, photography as well as children’s books and toys.

This year, visitors will be able to browse and buy the work of nine new first-time exhibitors to Winter Fair, including vintage bags from Cathy White, paper lanterns from Fiona Snow, photograph mosaics from Nicky Hill and ceramics from Simon Hoe.Jewellery from members of the DLR Jewellery Designers Network will also be showcased and on sale in Dalkey, including pieces from Dawn Mulholland (Shine) , Rebeka Kahn Artwear, Mary Varilly (True Colours), Aisling Smith (By Aisling), Laragh McMonagle, Melanie Hand, Shanna Steele (Blaze and Sparkle) and Ruzica Ruane (Cadenza Glass Beads).

Officially announcing the details for Winter Fair 2011, Georgina Sweetnam of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board said: “With a good mix of first-time exhibitors and the return of ‘firm favourites’, the Winter Fair weekend has grown to become one of the most established craft and design events in Dublin over the past seven years.”

She added: “Winter Fair gives all these local designers the ideal platform to sell direct, in the run-up to the busy Christmas period. We’re encouraging members of the public to consider locally-made pieces of design and craft, when they’re choosing gifts this year.”

Winter Fair, which is also marking Year of Craft 2011, opens its doors at Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre from 10.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday November 12th and Sunday November 13th. There is pay and display car parking nearby and visitors are encouraged to use the DART or Dublin Bus services where possible. The organisers have set up a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thewinterfair and details are also available at www.dlrceb.ie or by telephoning 087-2676650.

Winter Fair Exhibitors (confirmed, more to be added):

Mary Varilly from Truecolours (Jewellery)
Dawn Mullholland from Shine (Jewellery)
Aisling Smith from By Aisling (Jewellery)
Laragh McMonagle from By Laragh (Jewellery)
Melanie Hand from Melanie Hand Design Jewellery
Agnes Preece from Stained Glass lamps (Glass)
Rebeka Kahn from Rebeka Kahn Artwear (Jewellery)
Ruzica Ruane from Cadenza Glass Beads (Jewellery)
Susannagh Grogan from Susannagh Grogan Designs (Textiles)
Brenda Biggar from Brenda Biggar Porcelain (Ceramics)
Jack Kearney (Wood)
Marianne Flood (Hats)
Fan Regan from The Printing Rooms (Print)
Jenny Toland from Hot Head (Children’s Knitwear)
Christina Sanne from Red Rufus (Collectables)
Liadain De Buitlear from Liadain de Buitlear Knitweat
Benji Bennett from Adams Printing Press (Children’s Books)
Terry McDonagh from Terry McDonagh Photography
David Kelly from Bowl (Wood)
Tara Hammond from Slated (Slate Giftware and Homeware)
Cathy White (Vintage Bags)
Shanna Steele from Blaze and Sparkle (Jewellery)
Heather McKay from Head in the Clouds (Print)
Simon Hoe from Killiney Arts (Ceramics)
Fiona Snow from Snowed.ie (Paper)
Alison Benton from Brooke and Shoals (Candles)
Nicky Hill from Photo Mosaics (Photo Images)
Val Reid from Little Miss Molly (Craft gifts)
Avril Crampton from Avril Crampton (Craft gifts)
Georgina McCarthy from Glenmore Crafts (Textiles)
Maggie Lynch from Soul Food Company (Food and Cookery Classes)
Marcella Kirwan from Naked Heart Design (Craft gifts)
Liam McEvoy from Glenalough Woodcraft
Karen Ebbs (Painting and Ceramics)