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Louth Craftsperson Wins National Craft Award

Press Release - Tuesday, January 26th 2010
LOUTH CRAFTSPERSON WINS NATIONAL CRAFT AWARD

Cathy Prendergast Inti Leathers

Cathy Prendergast from Inti Leather in Dundalk has been presented with a major national award at Showcase in the R.D.S. The handbag and leather goods designer from Knockbridge, two miles outside Dundalk, has been running her own design business for over 20 years and was understandably thrilled with winning the ‘Creative Island’ overall award.

Speaking at the awards ceremony yesterday in the R.D.S, Prendergast said: “After all the years of hard work, I’m delighted to get this recognition from my fellow craftspeople. It gives me great pleasure to see women of all ages and tastes, carrying my leather bags.”

Sarah Daly, the Project Manager with Louth County Enterprise Board, congratulated the Dundalk designer, saying: “Louth County Enterprise Board is delighted with Cathy's achievement - she has always performed well at Showcase, winning new product awards in the past and an Essence of Ireland award in 2009, so to win the overall Creative Island Award in 2010 is very well deserved. “

Daly continued: “It is a fantastic recognition of all the hard work that Cathy undertakes during the year to keep her designs on trend and her product top quality. Her dedication to excellence in craftsmanship is an inspiration to all. “

Meanwhile, other talented craftspeople from Louth are “performing strongly” at an international buyers’ event in Dublin, according to the Louth County Enterprise Board.

Sarah Daly also praised the efforts of Edmund McNulty (knitwear), Garrett Mallon (jewellery), Ann Mullen O’ Brien (prints), Cathy Dodrill (jewellery), Rachel Tinniswood (felted textiles) and Orla O’ Brien (textile dolls) who are all representing Louth at ‘Showcase’ in the R.D.S.

Sarah Daly, Anne Mullen, Rachel Tinniswood, Cathy Dodrill and Orla O'Brien

5,000 buyers from Japan, Norway, America and Europe are getting the opportunity to see the work of the Louth craftspeople at the R.D.S and to meet them face-to-face.

“The County and City Enterprise Boards are supporting craftspeople in a very practical way, including subsidising the cost of exhibition stands and providing marketing literature to help attract the attention of international buyers here at Showcase. The Louth craft sector is leading the way to recovery, identifying new international markets for Irish-made creations,” said Daly.

The network of County and City Enterprise Boards are also sponsoring the seminar programme for exhibitors at Showcase, which include merchandising tips for craftspeople, top trends for 2010 and advice around selling on-line.

Over 450 exhibitors are taking part altogether in Showcase, which runs in the R.D.S until Wednesday. The event is organised on behalf of the Crafts Council of Ireland every year by Expo Events and is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland.

Rachel Tinniswood


CathyDodrill		Anne Mullen		Orla O'Brien

Further information about the supports available to small businesses in Louth is available by visiting the Louth County Enterprise Board website at www.lceb.ie

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Louth County Enterprise Board, Quayside Business Park, Mill Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland. Telephone: +353 42 932 7099 Fax: +353 42 932 7101