Design & Crafts Council Ireland commences jewellery and goldsmith degree programme in Thomastown in partnership with ATU

This week the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) in partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) officially commenced the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jewellery and Goldsmithing at the DCCI Academy of Jewellery & Goldsmithing in Sessions House, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny This is the first full time three-year programme of its kind in Ireland and welcomes 16 students with different backgrounds, skill levels and a passion for design and craft. 

Today (11 September 2024), these students received a glimpse into their exciting future as Irish jewellers. This programme will bring forward new talent and enhance the pool of thriving designers, craftspeople and makers in Ireland today. Students will embark on a journey of refining, discovering and enhancing their skills with a range of modules including Advanced Applied Goldsmithing, Design Communication and Gemstone setting. The programme also provides students with the opportunity to practise in a real-life setting with work placement included. 

This DCCI Academy of Jewellery & Goldsmithing in Sessions House was established with the help of the Kilkenny County Council; Kilkenny LEADER Partnership and the Department for Rural and Community Development. This new investment will create a stimulating environment in Thomastown where innovation and excellence are encouraged. Students will have the guidance and support to develop their interests and distinctive creative voices within a structured academic framework. 

Interim CEO of Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), Mary Blanchfield commented: “Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is very proud to commence this programme after significant investment into the future makers of Ireland. The new DCCI Academy Jewellery & Goldsmithing will host a range of talented individuals bringing a vibrant contribution to Thomastown. DCCI looks forward to welcoming the community in Thomastown to a thriving hub of success and creativity for years to come and building on its success with the upcoming opening if the ceramics school next year.” 

Paul Leamy, Head of Department of Furniture Design & Technology, School of Design & Creative Arts, Atlantic Technological University, said: “We are delighted to partner with the DCCI on the Jewellery & Goldsmithing programme. The programme builds on our experience and commitment to excellence in education in Design & Making. The partnership has been a wonderful journey to date, and I wish to thank my colleagues in the School of Design & Creative Arts and the team at DCCI for all their work in developing, validating, and preparing for the commencement of delivery of the programme.”

For more information visit: https://www.dcci.ie/jewellery-goldsmithing/jewellery-gold-smithing/

About Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for craft and design in Ireland, we support designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of craft and design. DCCI's activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 64 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
www.dcci.ie @dccireland

About ATU and the School of Design and Creative Arts
The ATU School of Design and Creative Arts is based on ATU Galway City campus, Wellpark Road, and on ATU Connemara campus. The school currently has three departments:

• Department of Creative Arts & Media
• Department of Creative Education
• National Centre of Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology

The creative industries are among the world's most rapidly growing economic sectors. The suite of academic programmes provide a broad range of creative career options. Graduates work at all levels in Film, TV, Animation, Games, Broadcasting, Publishing, Advertising, Digital Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Web Design, Creative Media, Fashion and Textiles, Product Design, Interiors, Furniture Design, Wood & Furniture Manufacturing, Architectural Woodworking, Fine Art, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture, Ceramics, and as Post Primary Teachers in Construction, Design Graphics and Art. See: https://www.gmit.ie/schools-campuses/school-of-design-creative-arts

ATU, a multi campus university, was established on 1 April 2022 with the merger of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Institute of Technology, Sligo (IT Sligo), and Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT). In November 2023, St Angela’s College, Sligo, joined ATU. 

ATU is now the third largest multi-campus University in the Republic of Ireland, with nine campuses across Donegal, Galway, Mayo, and Sligo.
ATU’s current student population is 25,000. The university offers over 600 programmes from pre-degree to doctoral level. Over 2,300 staff are employed across all campuses.
Visit www.atu.ie for more information.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Eimear Harding, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, DCCI, 083 023 8743 or email eimearharding@dcci.ie or Regina Daly, ATU Communications, ATU Galway, 0879618355 or email regina.daly@atu.ie

For further press information please contact Elevate PR, 01 662 5652 or email dcci@elevate.ie / claire@elevate.ie / laura@elevate.ie / miriam@elevate.ie