Founded in 1968, with a prize fund in excess of €28,000 spread over 20 categories, the RDS National Crafts Competition is one of Europe’s leading independently adjudicated craft competitions. Since 2008, the Competition has been organised in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland.

The RDS National Crafts Competition aims to promote the practise of craft in Ireland and to encourage the highest standards of design and technique in both traditional and contemporary craft disciplines. The call for entries goes out early in the year and applications are received online.

With categories such as ceramics, glass, furniture and textiles, the Competition is a unique opportunity for craft workers and designers to have their work appraised by an independent jury of experts and to compete for prestigious awards and prizes.

Each year, the winning and commended entries are showcased at the RDS National Crafts Competition & Student Art Awards Exhibition during the Dublin Horse Show and for a further four days after the Horse Show concludes. To see images by previous winners please visit our photo gallery.

To broaden exposure for the prize-winners, the RDS organises the annual RDS National Crafts Competition Prize Winners Travelling Exhibition which sees the works tour to regional venues throughout the country. Previous venues have included the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork and the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

The 2010 winners have now been announced.

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