Ireland hosts first EU CIGI Conference
Ireland hosts inaugural EU CIGI conference at RDS alongside Showcase Ireland 2026 to raise awareness of new scheme
Print16 January 2026
The first ever conference in Ireland on craft and industrial geographical indication (EU CIGI) protection scheme will be held at the RDS on Monday 19 January 2026, and will be opened by Minister Peter Burke, TD Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
The conference is part of EU’s CIGI Capital Tours initiative with the objective of raising awareness about the new scheme, which came into force in December 2025.
It conveniently coincides with Showcase Ireland, the long established domestic and international craft and design tradeshow that takes place in the RDS from 18-21 January.
RDS Dublin
Design & Crafts Council Ireland in conjunction with Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, EU Commission DG-Grow and EUIPO, is hosting the international conference in the RDS Dublin on Monday, 19 January.
It aims to raise awareness of the new CIGI scheme, and to provide practical information and insights into the scheme with craft sector stakeholders in Ireland and other member states via live webinar link.
Ireland does not have specific legal framework providing GI protection for craft and industrial products.
The new CIGI scheme, which came into force in December 2025, will provide protection for craft and industrial products highlighting their quality, reputation, and tradition linked to a specific geographic region.
It will also provide producers with IP protection against counterfeiting and imitation and give consumers assurance about authenticity origin and quality.
It also marks an opportunity for regions to boost local economies, especially in rural areas; preserve traditional skills and cultural heritage; and put places on the map – like Limoges or Venice.
In Ireland the sectors likely to qualify initially for CIGI registration include Donegal Tweed, Connemara Marble, crystal from Waterford, and lace from Carrickmacross and Borris, with whom DCCI has been working with for the past few years in preparation for the potential registration in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Intellectual Property Office (IPOI) Kilkenny, the National Competent Authority in Ireland for CIGI Implementation.
MC for the conference is MEP Cynthia Ní Murchú and it will be opened by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD. Speakers include:
- Mary Blanchfield – CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI).
- Nathalie Berger –director for Competitiveness Coordination, directorate-general for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs (GROW) on-line.
- Edyta Demby-Siwek – deputy executive director and Dr. Thorsten Ickenroth – team leader, GI Division – European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
- Anne von Zukowski, Intellectual Property Unit, directorate-general for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission.
- James Kelly, controller IPOI Ireland.
- Valerie Marie d’Avigneau – deputy head of Intangible Economy Directorate General for Internal Market Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs EU on-line
- Audrey Aubard – general secretary of the French Federation of industrial and craft GIs (FFIGIA).
- Dr. Andrea Zappalaglio – associate professor in Intellectual Property Law, School of Law, University of Leeds.
- Joe Burke, senior manager for Meat & Livestock, Bord Bia and Eoin Ó Catháin – director of the Irish Whiskey Association.
- Bernard O’Connor – BL Brussels based Senior Council and expert litigator on Geographical Indications.
- Kieran Molloy – Molloy & Sons: Donegal Tweed Weavers Assoc
- Stephen Walsh Connemara Marble Association & quarry owner.
- Tony Hayes – Irish Handmade Glass Company in Waterford
Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland commented: “This will be the 51st year of Showcase, where we present Ireland’s finest craft makers to international audiences.
“Every year, the line up of makers is an impressive demonstration of the talent and skills of our artisan producers.
“The introduction of the Geographical Indication award is a much-needed protection for these small, sustainable producers.
“It safeguards the authenticity of the products they have made using specialist skills that have been taught through generations.
“The CIGI protection will create a demand for authentic products that have cultural significance.
“We are delighted to host the first EU Capitals CIGI conference for 2026 and welcome all our island’s small producers to register to attend online on in person for a lively, informative and educational conference.”
Hosted in the Minerva Suite in the RDS, Dublin 4, the EU Capitals CIGI Tour takes place on Monday, 19 January 2026 and starts at 9:00am until 1:00pm.
Attendees can visit Showcase Ireland 2026 Trade Show at 14:00pm.
This event will take place in-person and online.
For further details on the event or to pre-register to attend online, visit https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0w3qz0uifoj66
Read more: Bord Bia Irish Food Awards take place in Dublin
© 2026, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
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