Tánaiste Opens Kilkenny Crafts Council Offices

Tánaiste Mary Harney today (Monday, 5th October, 1998) officially opened the offices of the Crafts Council of Ireland at their new location in Kilkenny, following their relocation from Dublin.

Speaking at the opening the Tánaiste said "The Crafts Council of Ireland carries out an important role in supporting micro-enterprises in the crafts sector. I am pleased to be able, through my Department and Enterprise Ireland, to allocate £550,000 in funding to the Council this year."

"The relocation of the Craft Council's HQ to Kilkenny is, I think, fitting," the Tánaiste said. "County Kilkenny," she continued, "has two and a half times more craft enterprises per head of population than any other County in Ireland. Indeed it is often cited as a model in the development plans of towns wishing to emulate its success. The Crafts Council could not have picked a better location when selecting a regional base for its operations. The new offices add to the Council's already extensive and very successful training activities in Kilkenny town and County, which have been based here since 1989".

The Tánaiste said that the Crafts Council is clearly committed to the realisation of a genuine regional focus in delivering its services. By working closely with sixteen of the County Enterprise Boards, the Crafts Council has been able to offer business, product, and market development training for craft entrepreneurs from West Cork to Sligo, from Louth to Wexford, and in many counties between. This "Outreach Programme" is ongoing with yet more Enterprise Boards seeking specialist support for their local craft companies in 1999.

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