Carlow's "Craft Hub" named as National Winner for European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2023

“Craft Hub” is a European project co-ordinated by Carlow County Council and is supported by Creative Europe & Creative Ireland.

The project is focused on Craft in the context of cultural heritage and its continuing relevance in contemporary practice. 

Earlier this year as part of the Craft Hub Exhibition, we saw Borris Lace workshops garner huge success in Matera, Italy where Irish craftswomen exchanged lace techniques with local Italian participants. 

Craft Hub has been announced as a National Winner in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2023 and will go forward to the European Final with winners being announced in Spain in November 2023.

Introduced in 2006, the European Enterprise Promotion Awards reward outstanding achievements in promoting SMEs and entrepreneurship at a national, regional and local level. The projects are evaluated based on: originality and feasibility, the impact they have on the local economy, improvement of local stakeholder relations and transferability of the project to other regions in Europe.

Welcoming the news, Cllr. Andrea Dalton, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said, “I am delighted that the work of Carlow County Council is being recognized at European Level and I’d congratulate our Team in the Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Libraries & Finance for their work on Craft Hub”.

Cllr. Andrea Dalton

Speaking about the nomination, Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development & Enterprise said “The European Enterprise Promotion Awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who are committed to promoting entrepreneurship and small business in Europe and for a project led by Carlow County Council is a great honour”.

Kieran Comerford

Carlow will host the Craft Hub International Exhibition later in August.