Nordic Inspiration → Irish Design
2023 marked 60 years since the establishment of the Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDWs). Celebrations marked the design connections between Ireland and Denmark.
Three Danish designers from the Royal Academy in Copenhagen were influential authors of a report that caused controversy and helped to shake up Irish design thinking in the 1960s.
Re-imaging design education
The report published in 1962 named 'Design in Ireland', (otherwise known as the Scandinavian Report) called for a total re-imagining of design education in Ireland. 'Design in Ireland' was a key input into the creation of the Kilkenny Design Workshops.
Kilkenny Design Workshops
In 2023, we celebrated 60 years since the establishment of the Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDWs).
>> Read about the establishment of the KDWs Designing For Ireland
Erik Herløw, Gunnar Biilmann Petersen and Erik Christian Sørensen were the Danish authors. After the report's publication, they would go on to advise and work with Irish state bodies in developing designs and exhibitions in the years following the establishment of the workshops.
Danish and Irish design
Today exchanges between Danish and Irish design institutions and designers continue. The Embassy of Ireland is proud to celebrate our shared passion for design and we are always happy to hear of ideas to further our connections.
Danish at Irish Design Week
In 2023, we were especially happy with the strong Danish presence at Irish Design Week. CEO of the Danish Design Centre Christian Bason was an honoured guest and speaker for the launch of Irish Design Week. Danish designer Holger Strøm launched an exhibition of his IQ light™ system that was developed at the Kilkenny Design Workshops 50 years ago.