Made in Ireland | 10 Artisans to Elevate your Luxury Wedding and Celebrations
From heritage workshops to contemporary studios, these artisans embody the spirit, skill, and soul of Irish design.
At Olivia Buckley International, we are endlessly inspired by the depth of Irish creativity. Across the island, extraordinary artisans continue age-old traditions while redefining them for a modern world; weaving, sculpting, forging and designing pieces that carry a sense of place and purpose.
We take great pride in introducing these makers to our clients, whose destination weddings and celebrations in Ireland offer the perfect opportunity to showcase this craftsmanship. From textiles and tailoring to glass, leather and fine jewellery, there is remarkable variety in how Irish talent can be woven into a celebration, each detail reflecting authenticity and artistry in equal measure.
There are hundreds of exceptional artisans across Ireland, each with their own story and skill. For now, here are ten we feel capture the spirit of Irish design and could bring something truly special to your celebration.
DE BRUIR | First Comes Love, Then Comes Luggage
When planning a destination wedding or celebration, first comes love, then comes luggage. For Olivia Buckley International, the journey is as much a part of the experience as the event itself, and few things capture that spirit better than DE BRUIR, Ireland’s renowned leather atelier.
Based in Kildare, DE BRUIR creates handcrafted travel pieces and accessories known for their clean lines, sculptural form and quiet endurance. Each item is made from rich, full-grain leather that develops character over time, carrying the story of every journey. DE BRUIR’s designs are wonderful for couples arriving in Ireland for their celebration, or as meaningful gifts for groomsmen, bridal party or family.
For destination weddings, these pieces are more than travel companions; they become part of the narrative. They speak to craftsmanship, to heritage, and to the idea that luxury is found not in excess, but in the lasting beauty of something made by hand.
Grá Chocolates: A Boutique Welcome
There is something instinctive about offering chocolate as a welcome. It soothes, comforts and delights in equal measure. For guests arriving from across the world to a destination wedding in Ireland, an immersive chocolate boutique becomes more than a culinary indulgence. It is hospitality made tangible. The fragrance of cocoa draws them in, the artistry of each piece catches the eye, and the first taste offers both familiarity and surprise. Grá Chocolates capture the essence of Ireland, crafted in Galway with local cream, butter (and pure imagination), transforming a universal pleasure into a moment of cultural connection.
By presenting these creations in a patisserie-style installation, the experience feels theatrical yet intimate. Guests move through the boutique, discovering chocolates designed like works of art, tasting flavours that reflect Ireland’s landscape and produce.
Ground Wellbeing: The Calm Before the Celebration
At Olivia Buckley International, we believe the welcome is the first act of care. Many of the clients we work with invite guests from all over the world to join them in Ireland, often after long journeys across time zones. Those first hours on arrival are an opportunity to help guests pause, centre, and begin to feel part of the place they have travelled so far to celebrate.
We often recommend a welcome gift as a way to create a moment of calm for guests arriving after long international journeys. Ground Wellbeing, an Irish wellness brand inspired by the healing power of nature, is one of the beautiful options we suggest. Their essential oils, balms, and pillow mists are crafted to restore balance. Small, sensory gestures that help guests unwind and settle into their surroundings. Whether placed within suites or presented on arrival, these gifts invite rest and stillness before the celebrations begin.
For us, this is hospitality in its truest form: intentional, restorative, and quietly luxurious. It allows international guests to arrive fully, both in body and in spirit, setting the tone for a weekend that unfolds with comfort and care.
Aoife McNamara: Wardrobe Beyond the Wedding Day
Because destination weddings are more than one day, the wardrobe becomes a narrative told across each gathering. Aoife McNamara offers designs that are perfect for those select moments beyond the ceremony itself. The welcome dinner, the ladies’ luncheon or the post-wedding brunch. Each look carries its own tone yet ties seamlessly into the wider story of the celebration.
Aoife’s collections are rooted in the Irish landscape, with fabrics that feel organic, silhouettes that flow with quiet elegance and details that speak of craft rather than ornament. Choosing Aoife for these occasions allows a bride or bridal party to embody a sense of Ireland that is contemporary, sustainable and refined.
Colin Burke: Threads of Modern Heritage
The art of a destination wedding lies not only in the wedding day itself but in the moments that surround it. Colin Burke’s hand-crafted knitwear brings a sense of quiet beauty to those occasions.
His pieces are sculptural yet delicate, merging traditional Irish craftsmanship with a modern sensibility. Worn by brides for pre-wedding gatherings or post-wedding brunches, each garment feels deeply personal, made by hand with a precision that honours both heritage and individuality.
Waterford Crystal: The Weight of Refinement
The distinction between a well-designed table and one that truly feels considered often comes down to balance. How texture, weight and form work together. Waterford Crystal achieves that balance beautifully. Its clean lines and cool precision sit effortlessly beside soft fabrics and organic florals, bringing a quiet sense of order to the setting.
There is substance in every piece: the reassuring weight of a glass, the clarity of the cut, the way it feels in the hand. Guests notice these things instinctively. They lend rhythm and refinement to the dining experience without ever competing for attention.
Using Waterford within a tablescape also introduces a subtle connection to Ireland’s heritage of craftsmanship. It is a thoughtful choice, one that speaks to authenticity and restraint, qualities that underpin our approach to modern destination weddings.
Foxford Woollen Mills: Comfort in the Details
True luxury is found in how guests are cared for, the small gestures that feel instinctive rather than staged. Foxford Woollen Mills embodies that approach through texture and warmth, adding quiet refinement to outdoor gatherings.
At many of our events, throws are arranged across chairs or neatly stacked beside firepits, their soft folds inviting touch. As evening falls, our Guest Relations Team is always close by with extras in hand, ready to offer one before a cold shiver sets in. It is a simple act of attentiveness, but one that leaves a lasting impression. Guests feel seen, comfortable and utterly at ease.
Woven in County Mayo, Foxford’s pieces blend fine wool and cashmere in tones that harmonise effortlessly with Ireland’s natural palette. Their presence adds both texture and meaning to the celebration, a subtle nod to Irish craftsmanship and to our belief that true hospitality is always felt before it is seen.
Wicklow Willow: Craft Rooted in the Land
There is something profoundly Irish about willow. It bends, never breaks and carries the rhythm of the landscape in its lines. Wicklow Willow brings this ancient craft into modern celebration design, creating sculptural pieces that feel both organic and architectural.
We have collaborated with Wicklow Willow to design bespoke installations for weddings and private events across Ireland; structures that frame entrances, shape pathways or serve as striking centrepieces within our event spaces. Each piece is handwoven from locally sourced willow, its texture and form echoing the surrounding landscape. The result is an atmosphere that feels alive and grounded, where natural materials tell the story of place without ever overpowering the design.
This is Irish craft at its most authentic, indigenous, sustainable and deeply expressive. For destination weddings, we often turn to Wicklow Willow to bring the outdoors into the celebration with honesty and grace. Their craftsmanship adds both presence and poetry.
Nigel O’Reilly: Jewellery with a Sense of Place
Nigel O’Reilly, one of Ireland’s most accomplished goldsmiths, creates sculptural pieces that go far beyond the traditional engagement ring. His bespoke earrings, cuffs and hairpieces are designed to echo the tone and setting of a celebration, often taking inspiration from the landscape surrounding the venue. Whether a ceremony unfolds on the west coast or within a historic manor, his craftsmanship draws a quiet dialogue between the piece and its place.
We often encourage our clients to explore this level of artistry, not only for their own attire but also as a meaningful way to honour family. A bespoke jewel created for a mother, sister, or loved one becomes a timeless gesture; something intimate, lasting and deeply personal. Clients may arrange a private consultation with Nigel to commission a piece during their time in Ireland, turning the creation itself into part of the destination experience. It is an opportunity to engage with fine Irish craftsmanship at its highest level, and to leave with something that endures long after the celebration.
Magee 1866: Dressing for the Irish Welcome
An Irish welcome party sets the tone. A gathering where guests meet, mingle and start to feel a sense of place. When clients wish to capture a sense of Irish style, Magee 1866 offers the perfect inspiration.
Renowned for their Donegal tweeds and refined tailoring, Magee’s pieces blend comfort with quiet sophistication. A tailored jacket, soft wool waistcoat or classic flat cap allows guests to step naturally into the atmosphere of an Irish celebration. It is a thoughtful way to connect fashion with place: timeless, tactile and unmistakably Irish.
Encouraging a dress code for an Irish Opening Ceremony can create a sense of harmony and ease across the event. These details help every guest feel part of the story.
ARTISAN HIGHLIGHTS
Every celebration tells a story. In Ireland, that story is enriched by the people who shape it: designers, craftspeople and visionaries who transform material into meaning. Partnering with artisans like these allows our clients to connect with Ireland in a way that feels deeply personal, celebrating not just a moment, but a place.
At Olivia Buckley International, our role as wedding planners and event designers is to curate experiences that reflect individuality, heritage, and emotion. Whether it is a destination wedding, a private party, or a weekend of celebrations across Ireland, we believe true luxury lies in the details in the thought, craft, and care that bring people together beautifully.
Bring Ireland’s Craftsmanship into Your Celebration
Our expert team at Olivia Buckley International curates the country’s most inspiring artisans to design events that feel authentic, luxurious and deeply personal.
