Cork Crafts - Wexford Milliner

A Wexford milliner who has designed a hat that stays on your head in the windiest of weather, will showcase her designs at the 25th City Hall Crafts and Design Fair in Cork from November 24-27.

This year’s 25th Anniversary Fair promises to be a bumper celebration of an event that traditionally heralds the start of the Christmas season in Cork.

 

Mad4Hats by Patsy Flood O’Connor are all handmade in her workshop in New Ross with locally sourced materials, including felts that are knitted and dyed by hand.

 

Patsy’s designs are heavily influenced by her surroundings, drawing on inspiration from stone walls, mosses, leaves, seashells and flowers.

 

“A hat will change your whole appearance.  It gives you a sense of confidence and elegance and if you’re having a bad hair day, it will help cover it up,” says Patsy who trained as a milliner in London.

 

Patsy is confident that she has designed a hat that will stay on your head in the windiest of weather because she has extensively road-tested it on the windy beaches of the county.

 

Over €150,000 per day will be spent at the biggest crafts fair outside Dublin, which will feature over 60 of the best contemporary crafts and artisan food producers from all over Ireland.

 

Fairgoers in search of an original Christmas idea can be guaranteed a haven of quality wares both for gifts and the home this festival season.

 

“The City Hall Crafts and Design Fair gives a vital economic stimulus to the crafts and design industry in the Munster region with an estimated spend in excess of €150,000 per day,” said Festival organiser Patrick O’Sullivan.

 

“Shoppers will find a wide range of crafts, artisan-made goods, food and drink, designer handcrafted outfits and accessories at the Fair.

 

“This year we have a lot of new content with many first-time exhibitors showcasing the best of new crafts and food from around the country.”

 

Among the range of exhibitors showcasing individual and original pieces this year will be Cobh artist and jeweller Barbara Hall, Wexford’s bespoke hardwood furniture designers Bevel Furniture and award-winning jewellery creator Blaithin Ennis, Tipperary artisan food producer Florrie Purcell, and West Cork artist Annabel Langrish.

 

Julie and Owen McLoughlin of Jando Design have created a range of prints specially for the City Hall Crafts Fair which will feature some favourite local landmarks such as Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, The Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse and Cork City Gaol.

 

The 25th City Hall Crafts and Design Fair takes place at the City Hall, Cork from November 24-27. Full details and booking can be found at www.cityhallcraftsfair.ie.

 

For media information contact Darren Hughes, MediaConsult, darren@mediaconsult.ie, 086 293 7037.