‘Irish Hands’ to
launch in Buncrana
03.06.24
THE ii (inishowen
innovation) digital hub in Buncrana is delighted to
announce a launch event for “Irish Hands”, a
groundbreaking new e-commerce platform dedicated to
selling unique handmade arts, crafts, clothing and
homeware from Inishowen and the North West.
The launch event, which takes place from 2pm to 4pm on
Friday the 7th of June 2024, is a call to all creatives
from Inishowen (artists, artisans, designers & makers)
to discover how the new platform
www.irishhands.com offers each of them a free,
customised, online store designed to showcase and sell
their unique products locally, nationally and
internationally.
Attendees will learn about the platform’s key features,
including how Irish Hands will harness videos and social
media channels like Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok &
YouTube to showcase local makers and their unique
creations globally. They’ll also learn about
“Inishowen’s sacred ancient triangle” – a term coined by
Irish Hands founder Shane Kirby, consisting of a 6,000-
year-old Neolithic settlement at Thornhill, prehistoric
rock art sites, and the ancient ringfort Grianán of
Aileach – and his claim that the peninsula and wider
North West is the ancestral home of Irish arts, crafts
and creative making. |
The launch event for
“Irish Hands” is part of an open day at the ii in
support of “I Love Inishowen Day” – with multiple other
events taking place across the peninsula on the
following day (Saturday, 8th June 2024) in conjunction
with Go Visit Inishowen.
Anne Marie McLaughlin, Innovation Manager at the ii,
said: “We’re delighted to host the launch event for
‘Irish Hands’. This unique e-commerce platform is a
fantastic opportunity for local creatives to share their
incredible creations – and the history, beauty and
culture of Inishowen - with a global audience. I urge
all makers throughout Inishowen and the wider North West
region to attend and hear more about this exciting new
venture."
Lisa McLaughlin, Programme Manager at Go Visit Inishowen
added: "I’ve met Shane Kirby on a number of occasions
and have always been blown away by his passion and
enthusiasm for the new “Irish Hands” project.
Importantly, the platform will shine a light on our
stunning peninsula and wider North West, which couldn’t
help but inspire local artisans and makers to create
wonderfully unique pieces of art, crafts, clothing and
homeware - each imbued with the beauty of its
surroundings and exclusive to our small part of the
world."
Shane Kirby, founder of the new e-commerce platform
“Irish Hands” said: "Irish Hands is all about supporting
local makers from Inishowen and the North West – with a
focus on selling high quality products and promoting
creative makers who are “bridging ancient traditions
with contemporary flair!”
“With a PhD in PR and over 20 years’ experience, my past
clients include the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish
Tourist Board, as well as having the privilege of
working with SDLP leader Mark Durkan as his Senior
Communications Officer, and the late Pat and John Hume
on an ‘Ireland’s Greatest’ media campaign / RTÉ public
poll that he won back in 2010. Over the years I’ve also
helped to promote almost one hundred local artists,
artisans, designers and makers whilst working in the
Press & Communications Office of Derry City & Strabane
District Council in the past or in more recent years
with Artlink Fort Dunree. Indeed, I will use this wealth
of experience to promote members of the Irish Hands
community and their craft locally, nationally and
internationally.
Alongside my “other half” Eileen Doherty, (a
long-standing defective concrete campaigner and
co-founder of Men’s Shed Carn), who brings her
‘Business, Marketing and Digital Transformation’ advice
and expertise to the new project, we’re committed to
nurturing the creative spirit of our community and
sharing its brilliance with the world.
The launch event at the ii will provide an in-depth look
at how Irish Hands will operate, the features and
benefits for local creatives, and how it will also be “a
treasure trove of history and heritage.” Indeed, I’m not
only on a mission to highlight the beauty and brilliance
of contemporary craftmanship, i.e., the “Best from the
North West”, but also to be an advocate for the
preservation of age-old techniques and traditions honed
and passed down through generations of our local makers.
I’d therefore like to take this opportunity to encourage
as many makers and creatives as possible to come along
to the launch event at the ii– and hopefully consider
becoming part of the “Irish Hands” family in the
future.”
Event details:
Date: 7th June 2024
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: Inishowen Innovation (ii), St. Oran’s Road,
Buncrana
Event highlights:
• Introduction to the new Irish Hands e-commerce
platform –
www.irishhands.com
• Insight into the platform’s focus on Inishowen and the
North West’s artistic and cultural history and heritage
• Overview of promotional strategies through social
media channels and in traditional / online media
• Networking opportunities with other local makers
RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by emailing
AnneMarie.McLaughlin@theii.com or calling 00353
874586097. |
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