Members News

Seamus Cassidy wins prestigious awards

Seamus Cassidy one of Meath's gifted craftsmen  has won 1st Prize in Woodturning category and Irish Woodturners Guild Award - €500 at the RDS National Crafts Competition 2008. The piece was made from a fusion of Ash, Burr elm, ebony and glass.

                                               Image Courtesy of  Barry Mc Call, RDS

The RDS National Crafts Competition in its present form has been held annually since 1968 to promote Irish craft and design. Growing in stature each year, it is the major Irish crafts industry competition, allowing both professional and amateur craft designers to exhibit and promote their work.

The RDS is delighted to announce that this year the RDS National Crafts Competition is organised in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland, who have come on board as key partner and sponsor.

There are 21 categories and over 40 prizes awarded in the Competition ranging from ceramics and jewellery to felting and woodwork. The prize fund is one of the largest in Europe, with a total fund in 2008 of €31,050. The competition is open to craft workers living in Ireland and Irish designers based abroad.

RDS Travelling Student Art & Craft Exhibitions
An exhibition of winning entries and works of excellence from the RDS National Crafts Competition and the RDS Student Art Awards travels to a number of venues around Ireland from August to December each year in order to promote the artists and designers to a wider audience.

2008 Exhibition Dates:

RDS Craft and Student Art Opening Exhibition:
Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, August 6 - 10, 2008, RDS Concert Hall
The Exhibition will continue for four days after the Horse Show concludes.

RDS Student Art Awards Exhibition  
Alley Arts Centre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone:September 1 - 26, 2008  
Damer House, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary:October 7 - 27, 2008 

RDS National Crafts Competition Winners Exhibition         
Foxford Woollen Mills, Foxford, Co. Mayo:September 2 - 25, 2008 
National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny:October 4 - 27, 2008 
Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone:November 7 - 25, 2008 
National Crafts & Design Fair, RDS, Dublin  December 3 - 7, 2008 

For more information on Seamus Cassidy click here