Conor Farrell Design Award

Award concept

Conceived by Farrell in 2019, the Conor Farrell Award for Excellence in Design remembers a loved one and gives back to the new designers that are coming into the industry. The award was initiated in the memory of Conor Farrell and his love of design and work in the furniture industry.

Honing students' skills

The annual award, open to students of GMIT Letterfrack, is aimed at challenging students’ creativity, honing their skills while contributing to the body of design work throughout their academic year.

Trophy design

The award trophy was designed and made by Jeremy Madden, lecturer at GMIT, who explains the concept – “It is set in a windswept hillside with a lone tree battling against the elements. The tree is a beacon of brilliance, simple and delicate as it manages to survive. The solid sterling silver enforces this jewel with strength as it battles with adversity tortured by the wind. The tree overcomes adversity in the open as it is on a tapered side and an undulating fall to the front. The branches are swept by the winds with exposure to the elements but it survives and we capture a moment on this landscape. The sandblasted textures of the oak match this original feel of the hillside.”

Previous winners

Previous winners of the award include:

2023: Neil O’Donoghue
2022: Sean Brennan
2021: Sean Brennan
2020: Gerry Murray