Culture in Our Hands: Celebrating Irish Craft and Cultural Heritage
Discover the rich stories of Irish craft, tradition and cultural identity through Culture in Our Hands (Ceardaíocht na hÉireann), a captivating exhibition at the RDS Library during August Craft Month.
Curated by renowned Irish artist Róisín de Buitléar in association with Eleanor Collier, this exhibition showcases the work of eight exceptional craftspeople whose practices are deeply connected to Irish dance, sport, music and storytelling. Through glassmaking, lacemaking, stonemasonry, basketmaking, hurl making, shoemaking and tinsmithing, the exhibition explores how craft continues to shape and sustain Ireland’s living cultural heritage.
Featured makers include Katie Spiers (2021 RDS Craft Award Winner), Fiona Harrington (2021 RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary Recipient), Ed Coveney (2019 RDS Craft Award Winner), Bernard and Dean Farrell, Eamon Fay, James Collins and Hanna Van Aelst.
As Róisín de Buitléar explains, “Craft practice sustains cultural memory and identity by carrying the stories of those practices and place over centuries of making.”
Special Event
Refreshments & Reflections with Curator Róisín de Buitléar Wednesday 12 August 2026 | 11:30am
Enjoy tea and coffee while hearing insights into the exhibition, the featured makers and the enduring importance of Irish craft traditions.
Presented by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and supported through the RDS Arts Awards Programme.
Image Gallery - Click to enlarge
Event Address: RDS, Anglesea Rd Dublin 4 D04 AK83 County Dublin
Suitable For: All Ages
Accessibility Information
RDS Library is wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet facilities available. Seating available within the venue. Please contact the RDS in advance for specific accessibility requirements.
Organiser: : Royal Dublin Society (RDS)
Event Website: : https://www.rds.ie/
Event Memberships
GANS
GANS Membership details
Royal Dublin Society (RDS)
All August Craft Month events are run independently by the event organisers. For questions regarding this event please contact the event organiser directly.