5 Ways to Support Small Irish Art, Design & Craft Businesses

Ireland is home to an incredible community of artists, designers, and makers. From handcrafted ceramics to beautifully designed prints, the work of small Irish businesses reflects skill, passion, and heritage. However, these businesses rely on the support of people like you to continue creating.

If you love Irish creativity, here are five meaningful ways you can support small Irish artists, designers, and crafters today.

1. Buy from Local Makers

One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to support small Irish businesses is to shop directly from them. Whether at craft markets and fairs, independent shops, or online stores, your purchase makes a real difference. Without customers, these businesses simply can’t survive. Every sale helps keep their passion and livelihood alive.

2. Spread the Word

Many small businesses don’t have big marketing budgets—in fact, most rely on word of mouth and social media to reach new customers. That’s where you come in! Share their work, tell your friends, and leave positive reviews. Your recommendation can introduce an artist or maker to someone who will love their work just as much as you do.

3. Choose Handmade Over Mass-Produced

Handmade Irish products are created with care, attention to detail, and a personal touch that mass-produced alternatives simply can’t match. Whatever the product, buying from a small business means investing in quality and authenticity. Plus, your purchase supports real people, not just big corporations. Spending within Ireland means your money stays here, and what goes around comes around.

4. Engage & Interact

In today’s digital world, engagement is everything. When you like, comment, save, or share an artist’s post, you help boost their visibility online, making it easier for others to discover their work. Saves and shares are especially powerful for social media algorithms, but even a quick comment or like can go a long way in showing support.

5. Invest in Irish Creativity

Every purchase, shoutout, and show of support helps sustain Ireland’s creative community. By supporting creatives, you’re not just buying a product—you’re helping to keep traditional skills alive, fuel new ideas, and ensure that Ireland’s artistic and craft heritage continues to thrive. 

What Can You Do Right Now?

Supporting small businesses doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive — simple actions make a big impact! Here’s what you can do today:

1. Have a look at your favourite products and see can you buy them from an Irish store.

2. Follow your favourite creatives online and start engaging with their content.

3. Visit the online stores of Irish creatives or see if you can attend a local market or fair soon.

4. Start to think about where your money is ending up. If you purchase from a big online retailer, how much of that spend is staying in the country? How much of those products will you still have in a year? "Buy cheap, buy twice", as they say. So how about "buy Irish, buy quality"!

Together, we can help Irish creativity alive!