Kildare's Craft Network: Original Kildare

Kildare Local Enterprise Office Supporting the Best in Craft & Design

Kildare Local Enterprise Office works closely with the craft and design sector in county Kildare, providing practical business support to new and existing makers, creators and artists.

Most recently, Kildare Local Enterprise Office provided a unique training programme to develop a craft network in county Kildare. The programme enabled local craft entrepreneurs to learn the skills needed to establish and operate a craft network. 

Supported by County Kildare LEADER Partnership and Kildare Local Enterprise Office, the aim of the craft network is to bring exciting opportunities to the many talented craft entrepreneurs in county Kildare, and to develop Kildare as an internationally recognised home for the best in Craft & Design. 

Following the delivery of the programme, Original Kildare was established in 2020. 

The members of the group are keen to emphasise their individual craft roots.

The Craft Businesses of Kildare - Meet Ruth Cahill

Ruth is an Illustrator based in Maynooth. She created Duck Blue in 2009 having previously worked in one of Ireland's leading design agencies. She creates daily drawings which in turn become cards and collections as well as prints and these are sold via her website and in various retail outlets the length of the country. 

Ruth's company, Duck Blue is an illustration and card business that creates greeting cards, prints and original illustrations. All cards and illustrations are designed, printed and packaged by Ruth at her studio in Maynooth, Kildare.

“My daily drawings inspire my card collection. My ethos is that I create ‘cards you want to keep’”

About Original Kildare Network

"I love being part of Original Kildare, as many of us work alone it is lovely to work closely with and bounce ideas off the group. I have made some great friends and done some exciting collaborations with members of the group. I would recommend committed full-time artists to join our group when applications are open for membership"

Support from Kildare Local Enterprise Office

"Kildare LEO have helped me with training and mentoring over the years. They were also instrumental in getting Original Kildare off the ground. I used the online trading voucher to get professional photographs taken of me in my studio for my website. It has been so helpful to have these shots as people love to engage with who the artist is and where they work.

My business has grown massively in the past few years in particular since I launched my website in May 2020".

More from Ruth Cahill

Ruth's products are available on her website at www.duckblue.ie

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