Design Week – Ireland 2025

Background & History

Design Week Ireland encompasses two distinct festivals in 2025: Dublin Design Week (19–25 May) and Irish Design Week (17–21 November). Dublin Design Week, launched in 2025 by J&S Media, founded by Jane and Sarah McDonnell, celebrates Dublin’s design community with a focus on architecture, interiors, furniture, and fashion. Held in Dublin’s docklands, it aims to engage local and global audiences.

Irish Design Week, in its fourth year, is convened by the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and spans nationwide, emphasizing sustainability, technology, and storytelling under the 2025 theme “The Ties that Tie, and the Links that Link.” Both festivals highlight Ireland’s design innovation, with Dublin Design Week attracting international attention and Irish Design Week drawing 10,000+ attendees in 2024.

Event Highlights

• Dublin Design Week (19–25 May 2025):
  • LYONSKELLY Design Talk: 21 May, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM, The Marker Suite, Anantara The Marker Dublin, $37.50 USD (adult), $21.43 USD (student).
  • Wine & Design Dinner: 21 May, 7:00 PM, Forbes Street at The Marker, $107.15 USD.
  • Design Talks (Suzie McAdam, Maria McVeigh, Paul McClean): 22 May, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, The Marker Suite, $37.50 USD each.
  • Conversations with Coffee: 20–24 May, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Anantara The Marker Dublin, free or ~$10–$20 USD.
  • DWD Drinks: 23 May, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM, speculative venue (e.g., The Marker Rooftop), free or ~$15–$25 USD.
• Irish Design Week (17–21 November 2025):
  • Keynote Talks: 17–21 November, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM, Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, free or ~$10–$20 USD.
  • Workshops: 17–21 November, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, venues like NCAD, Dublin, ~$15–$30 USD.
  • Exhibitions: 17–21 November, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, nationwide (e.g., Carlow, Cork, Galway), free.
  • Panel Discussions: 18–20 November, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, speculative venues (e.g., DCCI HQs), free or ~$10–$20 USD.

City

• Dublin (Dublin Design Week): Ireland’s capital, known for its Georgian architecture and vibrant docklands, hosts events at Anantara The Marker Dublin.
• Nationwide (Irish Design Week): Events in cities like Dublin, Carlow, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Sligo, and more.

Main Event Address

• Dublin Design Week:
  • Anantara The Marker Dublin: Grand Canal Quay, Dublin, D02 CK38 (main hub).
  • Box Office: The Marker Suite, Anantara The Marker Dublin, D02 CK38.
• Irish Design Week:
  • Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM): 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin, D02 WY89 (flagship events).
  • NCAD (National College of Art and Design): 100 Thomas Street, Dublin, D08 K521 (workshops).
  • Additional Venues: Nationwide (e.g., Carlow Arts Centre, Cork Crawford Art Gallery), TBD October 2025.
• Administrative Contact: J&S Media, 9-10 Fenian Street, Dublin, D02 RX24 (Dublin Design Week); DCCI, Castle Yard, Kilkenny, R95 CAA6 (Irish Design Week).
• Note: Full venue list TBD October 2025 at www.designweekdublin.com and www.dcci.ie.

Date & Duration

• Dublin Design Week:
  • Dates: 19–25 May 2025 (Monday–Sunday).
  • Duration: 7 days.
  • Opening Times: Talks: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM; Evening events: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM (estimated).
• Irish Design Week:
  • Dates: 17–21 November 2025 (Monday–Friday).
  • Duration: 5 days.
  • Opening Times: Exhibitions: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; Talks/Workshops: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM (estimated).
• Note: Times speculative except for confirmed events; full schedules TBD October 2025 at www.designweekdublin.com and www.dcci.ie.

Venue / Location

• Dublin Design Week:
  • Anantara The Marker Dublin: Main hub, accessible, talks and dinners.
  • The Marker Rooftop: Speculative venue for DWD Drinks, accessible.
  • Additional Venues: Speculative (e.g., Smock Alley Theatre, D02 YV58), TBD October 2025.
• Irish Design Week:
  • RIAM: Flagship venue, accessible, keynote talks.
  • NCAD: Workshops, accessible.
  • Nationwide Venues: Carlow Arts Centre (Carlow, R93 A3K1), Crawford Art Gallery (Cork, T12 YN99), Galway Arts Centre (Galway, H91 HY61), speculative.
• Note: Full venue lists TBD October 2025 at www.designweekdublin.com and www.dcci.ie.

Contact Information

• Dublin Design Week:
  • Email: info@designweekdublin.com (general inquiries).
  • Phone: Not provided; use email or website contact form.
  • Website: www.designweekdublin.com
  • Social Media: Follow @DesignWeekDublin on Instagram, X.
• Irish Design Week:
  • Email: info@dcci.ie (general inquiries); eimear.harding@dcci.ie (press, +353 83 023 8743).
  • Phone: +353 56 779 6111 (DCCI office).
  • Website: www.dcci.ie/whats-on/irish-design-week
  • Social Media: Follow @dccireland on Instagram, X.
• Ticketing: Book via www.designweekdublin.com (Dublin, opens April 2025) or www.dcci.ie (Irish, opens October 2025). Contact the respective emails for group bookings or accessibility.

Ticket Information

• How to Book:
  • Dublin Design Week: Purchase via www.designweekdublin.com (opens April 2025) or at Anantara The Marker Dublin box office (cash/card). Cancellations until 1 May 2025 (~$2 USD fee). Contact info@designweekdublin.com for accessibility.
  • Irish Design Week: Book via www.dcci.ie (opens October 2025) or at venue box offices (e.g., RIAM). Cancellations until 1 November 2025 (~$2 USD fee). Contact info@dcci.ie for accessibility.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD as of August 2025):
  • Dublin Design Week:
    • LYONSKELLY Design Talk: $37.50 USD (adult), $21.43 USD (student).
    • Wine & Design Dinner: $107.15 USD.
    • Design Talks (Suzie McAdam, Maria McVeigh, Paul McClean): $37.50 USD each.
    • Conversations with Coffee: Free or ~$10–$20 USD.
    • DWD Drinks: Free or ~$15–$25 USD.
    • Booking Fees: ~$1–$3 USD per ticket.
  • Irish Design Week:
    • Exhibitions: Free (e.g., Carlow, Cork).
    • Keynote Talks: Free or ~$10–$20 USD.
    • Workshops: ~$15–$30 USD.
    • Panel Discussions: Free or ~$10–$20 USD.
    • Booking Fees: ~$1–$3 USD per ticket.
  • Concession/Student: Dublin Design Week offers student discounts (e.g., $21.43 USD for LYONSKELLY). Irish Design Week may offer ~$2–$5 USD discounts for students, under 16s, and over 60s (ID required).
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for exhibitions and select talks with supervision; ticketed events may require adult accompaniment.
• Additional Notes:
  • Dublin Design Week pricing confirmed per provided data. Irish Design Week pricing estimated based on 2024 patterns (e.g.,) and similar festivals (e.g., Open House Dublin).
  • Full pricing TBD April 2025 (Dublin) and October 2025 (Irish) at respective websites.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Celebrates Ireland’s design and craft heritage.
• Events & Festivals: Week-long design celebrations in Dublin and nationwide.
• Education & Learning: Workshops and talks on design innovation.

Cultural Significance

Dublin Design Week, in its inaugural year, positions Dublin as a global design hub, showcasing architects and designers like Bryan O’Sullivan and Róisín Lafferty. Irish Design Week, with its national reach, promotes sustainability and collaboration, featuring international voices like KidSuper in past editions. Both festivals boost Ireland’s creative economy, with Irish Design Week contributing €500,000+ to local businesses in 2024.

Food & Drinks

• Dublin Design Week:
  • Festival Venues: Food/drinks at Anantara The Marker Dublin (e.g., Forbes Street, $15–$50 USD).
  • Nearby Dining:
    • The Harbourmaster: IFSC, Dublin 1 ($15–$25 USD, 5-minute walk).
    • Ely Bar & Grill: CHQ Building, Dublin 1 ($15–$35 USD, 5-minute walk).
    • Urban Brewing: CHQ Building, Dublin 1 ($10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Irish Design Week:
  • Festival Venues: Snacks/drinks at RIAM, NCAD, nationwide venues ($5–$15 USD).
  • Nearby Dining (Dublin):
    • The Green Hen: 33 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 ($15–$30 USD, 5-minute walk from RIAM).
    • The Old Storehouse: 3 Crown Alley, Dublin 2 ($10–$20 USD, 10-minute walk from NCAD).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at select venues; no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Dublin Design Week: Select events (e.g., Conversations with Coffee) suitable for families with supervision; most talks 16+.
  • Irish Design Week: Free exhibitions are family-friendly; workshops may require adult accompaniment.
• Accessibility:
  • Dublin Design Week: Anantara The Marker Dublin is wheelchair-accessible. Contact info@designweekdublin.com for accommodations.
  • Irish Design Week: RIAM, NCAD, and major venues are accessible. Contact info@dcci.ie for ISL or sensory accommodations.
  • Full accessibility details TBD April/October 2025 at respective websites.

Getting There

• By Air: Dublin Airport (DUB, 10 km, 20-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Dublin Bus to O’Connell Street (5-minute walk to Anantara The Marker Dublin).
  • Tram: Luas Red Line to Spencer Dock (5-minute walk to Anantara); Green Line to St Stephen’s Green (10-minute walk to RIAM).
  • Train: Irish Rail to Connolly Station (10-minute walk to Anantara).
• By Car: Paid parking at Q-Park IFSC (~$3 USD/hour, 5-minute walk to Anantara); Kilkenny City Car Park (~$2 USD/hour, 5-minute walk to DCCI HQs).
• Rideshare: Free Now or Uber from DUB (~$15–$25 USD).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Dublin Design Week:
  • Confirmed Events:
    • LYONSKELLY Design Talk: 21 May, 12:00 PM–1:30 PM, The Marker Suite, $37.50 USD (adult), $21.43 USD (student).
    • Wine & Design Dinner: 21 May, 7:00 PM, Forbes Street, $107.15 USD.
    • Design Talks (Suzie McAdam, Maria McVeigh, Paul McClean): 22 May, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, The Marker Suite, $37.50 USD each.
  • Hypothetical Events:
    • Conversations with Coffee: 20–24 May, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Anantara, free or ~$10–$20 USD.
    • DWD Drinks: 23 May, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM, The Marker Rooftop, free or ~$15–$25 USD.
• Irish Design Week:
  • Confirmed Events:
    • Keynote Talks: 17–21 November, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM, RIAM, free or ~$10–$20 USD.
  • Hypothetical Events:
    • Workshops: 17–21 November, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, NCAD, ~$15–$30 USD.
    • Exhibitions: 17–21 November, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, nationwide, free.
    • Panel Discussions: 18–20 November, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, DCCI HQs or similar, free or ~$10–$20 USD.
• Note: Dublin Design Week confirmed events per provided data; Irish Design Week speculative except for dates and theme. Full programmes TBD April/October 2025.

Past Notable Performances

• Dublin Design Week: Inaugural event in 2025; no prior editions.
• Irish Design Week:
  • 2024 Highlights: KidSuper talk with Natalie B. Coleman at RIAM, sustainability workshops in Dingle, and exhibitions in Galway.
  • Past Achievements: Attracted 10,000+ visitors in 2024, with €500,000+ economic impact.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Dublin Design Week: Partners with Range Rover for eco-conscious events; digital programmes encouraged.
• Irish Design Week: Focus on sustainable design (e.g., circular fashion workshops in 2024); recycling bins at venues.
• Note: 2025 sustainability details TBD at respective websites.

Educational Impact

• Dublin Design Week: Talks (e.g., LYONSKELLY, Suzie McAdam) educate on design trends, ~$21.43–$37.50 USD.
• Irish Design Week: Workshops (e.g., NCAD) and talks promote design innovation, free or ~$10–$30 USD.

Cultural Activities

• Dublin Design Week: Talks, dinners, networking events, 19–25 May, free or ~$10–$107.15 USD.
• Irish Design Week: Exhibitions, workshops, talks, 17–21 November, free or ~$10–$30 USD.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Dublin Design Week tickets (April 2025) and Irish Design Week tickets (October 2025) via respective websites; limited spaces for talks and workshops.
• Weather Prep: May (Dublin, 50–60°F) and November (nationwide, 40–50°F) are cool and rainy; pack waterproofs.
• Explore Locally: Dublin: Trinity College ($15 USD); Kilkenny: Kilkenny Castle ($10 USD).
• Public Transport: Leap Card for Dublin Bus/Luas (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.designweekdublin.com and www.dcci.ie (no app).

Local Attractions

• Dublin:
  • Trinity College: College Green, Dublin 2 ($15 USD, 10-minute walk from Anantara).
  • Dublin Castle: Dame Street, Dublin 2 ($10 USD, 15-minute walk).
  • Guinness Storehouse: St James’s Gate, Dublin 8 ($25 USD, 20-minute walk).
• Kilkenny (Irish Design Week):
  • Kilkenny Castle: The Parade, Kilkenny ($10 USD, 5-minute walk from DCCI HQs).
  • Smithwick’s Experience: Parliament Street, Kilkenny ($15 USD, 5-minute walk).

Accommodation Options

• Dublin:
  • Hotels: The Morrison, Ormond Quay ($150–$300 USD/night, 10-minute walk to Anantara); The Shelbourne, St Stephen’s Green ($200–$400 USD/night, 15-minute walk).
  • B&Bs: Harding Hotel, Fishamble Street ($80–$150 USD/night, 15-minute walk).
  • Hostels: Abbey Court Hostel, Bachelors Walk ($20–$50 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
  • Airbnb: Dublin apartments ($50–$150 USD/night).
• Kilkenny:
  • Hotels: Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, Ormonde Street ($100–$200 USD/night, 5-minute walk to DCCI HQs).
  • B&Bs: Butler House, Patrick Street ($70–$150 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for May/November peaks.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at major venues; Dublin: St James’s Hospital (15-minute drive); Kilkenny: St Luke’s Hospital (10-minute drive).
• Security: Volunteer stewards at events; bag checks at Anantara, RIAM.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venues; umbrellas for outdoor exhibitions.