Creative Voices: Design, Craft, and Storytelling in Luxury

Creative Voices: Design, Craft, and Storytelling in Luxury

An exhibition and series of panel discussions on the idea of luxury in contemporary Ireland.

By Hawthorn Donegal

Date and time

Thursday, November 14 · 1:30 - 6pm GMT.

Location

Ballyeriston House

Ballyeriston Portnoo Ireland

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

Agenda

1:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Shuttle Bus Starts


A shuttle bus will run throughout the event ferrying guests to and from Ballyeriston house from both the main car park in Ardara town, and from Portnoo Beach carpark.

1:45 PM

Exhibition Doors Open


Front Doors and Event registration open for guests.

2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

A conversation with Peter Boardman, Master Violin Luthier


A conversation with Master Violin Luthier, Peter Boardman, and a demonstration of the instruments he has crafted.

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Panel Discussion 1: High Jewellery and Bespoke Silversmithing


Cara Murphy, Silversmith; and Tim Holloway; Creative Director, Something About Rocks Magazine, discuss high jewellery and luxury metallurgy, sustainability, marketing, and bespoke best practices.

3:55 PM - 4:25 PM

Panel Discussion 2


Cathal Loughnane, Michael McNeill, Kieran Molloy, and Pepe Montiel. Designing Innovations into traditionally handcrafted objects. Luxury leather goods, Textiles, and Furniture.

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Sunset Break


Exhibition break to enjoy sunset (weather dependent) and enjoy further conversations amongst visitors and exhibition panelists.

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM

Final Panel Discussion


Opening Violin performance. A discussion bringing together each panelist to share their approach to design, examine how their stories give meaning to their practice, and inform their creation of luxu...

5:45 PM - 6:00 PM

Closing Remarks


Closing remarks and contributions from the floor.

6:15 PM

Final Shuttle Bus

About this event

  • Event lasts 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Free venue parking

Story is an integral part of Irish Culture. Design and craft are the foundations on which stories are told by luxury artisans, designers, and makers. Meet and hear from the people telling those stories first hand, against the backdrop of Donegal’s breathtaking landscape.

Throughout Irish history imagination, and storytelling in particular, have become instrumental tools that we use to make our ideas a reality. Our imagination contributes tangible value to the future we wish to create, and every day we lean on it in ways that we may not even recognise.

When committing to good design our fundamental responsibility is that we understand the stories we tell through our process. Beyond the necessity of ‘quality’, each touch point within exceptional luxury design has an impact that shapes how people use luxury items, adding depth and surprise to our projects in often unexpected ways.

Welcoming a unique group of makers, designers, and creators to Ballyeriston House, a four-hundred-year-old estate in South Donegal, and home to Irish luxury leather goods house Hawthorn Donegal, Creative Voices is an interactive exhibition of contemporary Irish Design and industry voices. This will culminate in a series of panel discussions bringing together Irish and International luxury design and craft perspectives across marketing, fashion, textiles, jewellery, furniture, and music.


The Panel: The Best Conversations at Parties Always Happen in the Kitchen

What does quality actually mean to the end user? What goes into making an aesthetically beautiful yet functional luxury item? How do outstanding designs stand the test of time and become true heirlooms? How does sustainability impact luxury design?


Through a series of panel discussions, taking place in the main ‘Kitchen / Living Area’ of Ballyeriston House, we will attempt to decode the situations in which imagination and storytelling meet superior craftsmanship and innovation to become ‘Luxury’, and ask how we grow this space in the wider Irish economy.

Panel subjects are yet to be finalised, but visiting panellists confirmed include:


  • Tim Holloway: Creative Director, Something About Rocks Magazine; Founder / Owner, Holloway Studio; LGA Management; Former Creative Director, Graff Diamonds.
  • Cathal Loughnane: Chief Creative Officer PA Consulting / Design Partners; Co-Designer, The History Chair.
  • Pepe Montiel: CEO, BeTangible Leather Goods; President of ASOPIEL, Association of Leather Goods Companies of Ubrique.
  • Michael & Anna McNeill: Hawthorn Donegal, Brand Director & Creative Lead.
  • Kieran Molloy; MD/ Creative Director / Weaver, Molloy & Sons.
  • Cara Murphy: Silversmith, DCCI Irish Craft Portfolio, Critical Selection.
  • Peter Boardman: Boardman Violins, Master Violin Luthier.


PARKING

There is limited disabled parking available at the event. For all others a shuttlebus has been arranged from Portnoo Beach Car Park and Ardara car park at 13:30. The final shuttlebus return will be at 6pm with buses running throughout the day.

Organized by