“Crafting the Future: Third International Économusée Conference Unites Artisans andStakeholders in the Causeway Coast and Glens”
This week over 50 renowned artisans gathered together in Ballycastle for the 3 rd International
Reunion of the Économusée network. The artisans came from Canada, Norway, The Faroe Islands,
and both parts of Ireland.
Previous reunions had been held in Quebec City in Canada and Bergen in Norway. Ballycastle was
chosen as the venue for the 3 rd gathering as it is central to the greatest local concentration of
Économusée workshops anywhere.
The Économusée network was established in Quebec over 30 years ago. Its purpose is to help
artisans learn from each other, to demonstrate their skills and to promote their businesses by adding
a tourism element. Visitors can watch artisans at work in situ and participate in workshops.
Carl Éric Guertin, Executive Director of the Économusée Network Society commented:
“We are delighted to bring together our members from four countries for this 3rd
International Conference of the ÉCONOMUSÉE® Network Society in Northern Ireland. After a
long period without in-person meetings, with the last international gathering held in 2017,
this conference offers a unique opportunity to strengthen our ties, share our experiences,
and build strong business collaborations for the future. The cultural and artisanal diversity
that defines us is our strength, and it is through collaboration that we will continue to
promote and preserve this expertise for future generations.”
Graham Thompson, Director of Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust commented:
“It is wonderful to see so many skilled artisans coming here to share their own experiences
and learn from our own very skilled operators. The artisans have had the chance to meet
with or visit all our 11 workshops as well as experience much of our local culture.
We hope that this visit can act as a springboard to increase knowledge about this important
network, here in the Causeway Coast and Glens and further afield. We also hope that this
can act as a catalyst to expand the network here in the coming years supporting more of our
skilled operators and building on an important element of our tourist offer.”
Over the 4-day visit the Artisans experienced a walking tour in Belfast, visited the Giant’s Causeway
and Dark Hedges and enjoyed performances by The Causeway Shantymen and Storyteller Janice
Weatherspoon.
They met with and visited every member of the network in Northern Ireland: Audrey Kyle
Watercolours and Gobbins Crafts on Island Magee; Steensons Jewellers in Glenarm; Hot Milk Forge
in Martinstown; Ursa Minor, Broughgammon Farm and the North Coast Smokehouse around
Ballycastle, Fidela Coffee Roasters in Coleraine; The Chocolate Manor and Broighter Gold in the
Binevenagh area and The Creamery Can, Glarryford.
