Press release:

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This autumn, the picturesque town of Kenmare will host the inaugural Design Kenmare, a new festival celebrating creativity and design across disciplines — from architecture and interiors to fashion, graphics, photography, and product design. Uniquely, however, the focus will be on understanding and experiencing design differently from other events.

 

Taking place over three days, from November 14th – 16th, as an official curtain raiser to Irish Design Week, the festival will feature a world-class line-up of Irish and international designers, architects, photographers and creative thinkers in an intimate programme of talks, panels and special events.

 

Speakers include: Maser, Annie Atkins, Amanda Bone, Linda Brownlee, Rich Gilligan, Darrell Kavanagh, Bryan O’Sullivan, Jenny Huston, Marc Fish, Fingal Ferguson, Paul Galvin, James O’Neill, Gráinne Kavanagh, Mark Joyce, Dermot Bannon, Deridra McBeth, Róisin Buckley, Steve Doogan, the Irish Design Shop, Róisín Lafferty and Simon Ronan.

 

A Global Conversation in an Intimate Setting

 

Design Kenmare brings together leading voices from the global design community alongside Ireland’s most accomplished practitioners.

 

Across 12 keynote panels and discussions, speakers will explore themes such as:

• The harmony of form and function in contemporary design

• Storytelling and narrative in visual practice

• Sustainable design and the circular economy

• Cultural heritage and what makes design timeless

• Collaboration, retail experience, and the evolving marketplace

 

The tone throughout the weekend will be insightful, conversational, and cross disciplinary — encouraging genuine dialogue between creators, thinkers, and audiences. Each session will conclude with Q&A opportunities and informal discussion, reflecting the festival’s ethos of openness and exchange.

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From Local Collaboration to International Stage Design Kenmare grew organically from the town’s thriving creative design and maker community. In 2024, furniture maker Adrian Duyn and graphic designer Eamonn O’Sullivan brought together 28 local makers, designers, photographers, and publishers for the Le Chéile Showcase Exhibition at Kenmare Butter Market. Its success — and the sold-out evening talks that accompanied it — sparked the idea of creating a festival that would place Kenmare on the map as a centre for creative excellence.

 

Duyn and O’Sullivan joined forces with photographer Norman McCloskey, hotelier Patrick Hanley and Naoise Nunn of cultural festival specialists Schweppe Curtis Nunn to develop the concept with the support of Kerry County Council. Working with the wider Le Chéile network, they curated an exceptional international line-up — a roster of speakers rarely seen together at one Irish event.

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Kenmare: Design in Its DNA

 

With its Georgian-era planned layout, strong artisan heritage, and vibrant cultural scene, Kenmare provides an ideal setting for a design festival of this scale. All talks will take place within walking distance of one another, allowing attendees to engage with speakers and fellow creatives throughout the weekend. As with the best festivals, some of the most exciting interactions happen between the events.

 

Beyond the core programme, visitors can enjoy book signings, fringe events and exploring all that Kenmare and County Kerry have to offer, creating a weekend that blends inspiration, networking and creative exchange in equal measure.

 

Tickets and Information

Tickets for Design Kenmare 2025 are now on sale at  www.designkenmare.com

For updates, speaker profiles, and programme details, follow @designkenmare on Instagram.

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​Experience Design Differently.

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