The Irish Design Excellence Award Exhibition

Celebrating the Cultural Significance of Contemporary Irish Design
Discover a curated selection of Ireland’s most significant contemporary design projects, nominated by the nation’s leading design organisations and selected in partnership with the National Museum of Ireland

Presented as part of Irish Design Week 2026, the exhibition showcases outstanding work across design disciplines, highlighting the ideas, innovations, and creative achievements shaping Ireland today.

What is the Irish Design Excellence Award Exhibition?
The Irish Design Excellence Award Exhibition is a new national initiative developed by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and the National Museum of Ireland.

Bringing together projects nominated by Ireland’s leading design organisations, the exhibition celebrates contemporary design that demonstrates exceptional quality, innovation, impact, and Cultural and National Significance.

Rather than presenting design as a collection of disciplines, the exhibition explores design as a cultural force: one that influences how we live, work, communicate, make, create, and imagine the future.

From architecture and product design to craft, fashion, graphics, digital experiences, and service design, the exhibition offers a unique snapshot of contemporary Irish creativity.

Why Does It Matter?
Throughout history, design has shaped the way societies function and express themselves.

The Irish Design Excellence Award Exhibition asks a simple question:
Which contemporary Irish design projects will matter in fifty years?

The projects selected for the exhibition are not only examples of design excellence. They are works that contribute to Ireland’s cultural story, reflect its values, and demonstrate the role design plays in shaping society.

Together, they form a record of contemporary Ireland and provide insight into how creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship continue to influence the nation’s future.

The IDEA Selection
Nominated by Industry. Selected for the Nation.
Each participating design organisation was invited to nominate projects that best represent excellence within its discipline.

Projects are evaluated according to:

Cultural and National Significance
Design Excellence
Innovation
Impact
Contemporary Relevance
The final selection represents a cross-section of Ireland’s contemporary design landscape, showcasing projects that have influenced culture, communities, industry, and public life.