Downpatrick business Love Irish Crafts located in St Patrick Square has created an exciting new range of ceramic products aimed at both domestic and export markets.
[caption id="attachment_53736" align="alignleft" width="390"]
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie, Cllr Terry Andrews, Stephen Hanna, owner of I Love Irish Crafts, Austyn Finnegan, ceramacist, Down Council Chaiman Cllr Billy Walker, and James Savage from Killyleagh at the launch of the new ceramic product range at I Love Irish Crafts in Downpatrick.[/caption]
Owner Stephen Hanna was joined by Margaret Ritchie MP and Councillor Billy Walker, Â Chairman of Down District Council, who unveiled the first new products in the range this week.
The range of Irish-inspired ceramic wall hangings will be available to retailers from January and Love Irish Crafts will be featuring at the Showcase Ireland trade fair in January in Dublin.
Stephen explained: “We have had considerable help in developing and launching our products from Invest NI and SERC in Downpatrick and we are really grateful for all their support in getting this new range designed and ready for production.
“We are delighted to work with the local college who have provided a business unit for us to work in within the campus. Past SERC student Austyn Finnegan from Ardglass has joined Love Irish Crafts as our head designer. Making these products in Ireland and particularly in my home town of Downpatrick is extremely important to our business as all to often the easy option is to get it mass produced overseas.
“Our products, materials and skilled craftspeople are second to none and this can be seen in the finished quality of our work. We use the finest quality porcelain and traditional techniques to make our products which makes them unique. We want to keep these skills alive and create local job opportunities as we grow our business.
[caption id="attachment_53779" align="alignright" width="340"]
Austyn Finnegan, ceramacist with Love Irish Crafts in Downpatrick.[/caption]
“It is tremendous to have Austyn working with us. He graduated last year at Edinburgh University with a BA degree in ceramics and his enthusiasm and expertise  is very welcome.”
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said at the launch of the new product range by Love Irish Crafts: “I am delighted to launch the new range of craft products. This is a product range unique to the Love Irish Crafts and the local area, and has been produced in collaboration with the local South Eastern Regional College.
“I was very happy to assist Stephen in obtaining the Invest NI Innovation Voucher that helped in the design and production of this new craft range and I look forward to the interest this will bring in the local craft market from visitors and local shoppers.
“It is vital that we take every opportunity to develop our tourism produce in St Patrick’s Country and throughout South Down. Stephen and his team have developed a unique craft product that will complement the local visitor attractions and our early Christina heritage offering to the tourism market.”
Down District Council Chairman Cllr Billy Walker also added: “Council is delighted to see this business moving ahead with a new line of locally produced ceramic products. They have been innovative and and it is good to see them working in partnership with SERC.
“As we come out of the recession, local small businesses must forge ahead and find new markets with new products and I Love Irish Crafts is certainly making the right efforts. They are well located in the centre of Downpatrick next to the St Patrick Centre, Downpatrick railway, Down Counry Museum and the grave of St Patrick at Down Cathedral.”
www.loveirishcrafts.com]]>
