Where to shop for Irish-made: Green Dot, Cork

Located in the bustling town of Clonakilty in West Cork, Green Dot — Irish Design Makers is devoted to showcasing Irish design

On your next trip to West Cork, make time to visit this gem in Clonakilty. Green Dot — Irish Design Makers stocks over 40 Irish-based designers and makers in the store. The shop is owned by Lisa Tonge, and she also has an in-house craft studio for her brand, Little Green Dot, a line of baby gifts.

Lisa chooses brands that are beautiful and ethically made, and also works with other makers to collaborate on pieces. Lisa juggles all this with her own work designing and creating for Little Green Dot, as well as being a mum-of-two.

“I firmly believe that craft and makers/designers have a huge role and massive potential in the sustainability of our communities, especially in rural Ireland — I am from a community development background myself,” Lisa says.

“The demand is huge for ethically-made, preferably local, products and tied in with this is a desire to actually see things being made and skilled people working. People can view us working in our studio, everything in the shop is designed and made in Ireland and our building is also home to other creatives — an upholsterer, two photographers and a weaver.”