The app has been developed for use during and beyond the Irish Design 2015 programme, a year long initiative backed by the Irish government promoting and celebrating Irish design in Ireland and internationally in order to drive job creation, grow exports and increase competitiveness.

Creation of the new app has been led by a team at IBM's recently launched IBM Studios|Dublin which is being expanded at the IBM Technology Campus in Damastown for creative collaboration by designers, developers and product managers and is part of the worldwide IBM Studio network of cross-discipline spaces.

Minister Bruton said: "The aim of ID2015 is to promote the wealth of design talent we have here in Ireland both at home and on the international stage. This is a great new app which makes it easy for visitors to experience the best of Irish design. Design has made a major impact on our economy and our culture, and this collaborative project between IBM and ID2015 helps to bring that to life for users."

Design Island features content from respresentatives of the design community across Ireland who were invited to nominate their top design destinations around the country. Well-known contributors on the app include fashion journalist Deirdre McQuillan, president of the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) Marc O'Riain, Westport based design studio Superfolk, Jonathan Legge of Makers & Brothers and broadcaster Dylan Haskins.

Design Island shares the best design experiences in Ireland, divided into five categories for ease of navigation: Stay, Eat and Drink, See, Shop and Events. Highlights of the many recommendations featured on the app include:

• Stay: Number 31 in Dublin is a boutique hotel designed by one of Ireland's great modernist architects, Sam Stephenson. Nominated by Barry Sheehan, Head of Design, Dublin Institute of Technology.
• Eat and Drink: Ard Bia at Nimmos in Galway places a strong emphasis on fresh local produce and is renowned as a hub for local creative types. Nominated by Dylan Haskins, Broadcaster.
• See: Kilcullen's Seaweed Baths in Enniscrone, County Sligo are housed in an Edwardian bath house and have been in operation for over a hundred years. Nominated by Superfolk.
• Shop: Irish Design Shop on Drury Street in Dublin was one of the first independent stores to champion Irish design and craft in the city. It is a first port of call for homeware, illustrations and textiles by Irish designer-makers from all over Ireland. Nominated by Nathalie Marquez Courtney, Editor, IMAGE Interiors and Living Magazine.

Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of Irish Design 2015 says that the app will be instrumental in promoting design experiences throughout Ireland. “The Design Island app offers a unique opportunity to experience design throughout the island of Ireland. Together with our extensive calendar of events and activities this year as part of the Irish Design 2015 programme, the app celebrates and promotes Irish design and the talented people working in the sector. I would like to thank everyone on the development team for all their hard work in bringing this exciting project to fruition. We look forward to seeing the app evolving in the coming months, acting as a lasting legacy of Irish Design 2015 and a valuable resource for both visitors to Ireland and Irish people exploring design experiences on their doorstep,” said Ms. Hennessy.

Commenting on the launch of the app, Fred Raguillat, Head of IBM Studios|Dublin said: “IBM is delighted to be the official technology partner for Irish Design 2015 and to be involved in a number of collaborative projects as part of the year long programme. Central to the development of the Design Island app was showcasing Irish design through an intuitive, user friendly and engaging experience. Leading skill sets here at the IBM Studios include visual design, design research, user experience design and design development, including mobile developers and industrial designers. We look forward to expanding our presence in Dublin as we recruit design experts and engage with leading design colleges in Ireland to bring designers on board.”

The Design Island app was designed and developed by IBM Studios|Dublin working in conjunction with Irish Design 2015 and Dublin design studios Atelier David Smith and Conor & David. Design Island is now available for download from the App Store and Google Play.

About the Design Island app
Design Island was developed as source of peer-to-peer recommendations to help users navigate the design experiences which Ireland has to offer and see the island of Ireland through the eyes of design experts. ID2015 invited members of the design community across a broad range of disciplines to nominate their top design destinations around the country. Locations are divided into five categories for ease of navigation: Stay, Eat and Drink, See, Shop and Events. Some well-known contributors on the app include fashion journalist Deirdre McQuillan, president of the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) Marc O'Riain, Westport based design studio Superfolk, Jonathan Legge of Makers & Brothers and broadcaster Dylan Haskins. The app, which was produced by Irish Design 2015 (ID2015) in collaboration with IBM Studios|Dublin, Atelier David Smith and Conor & David, is available to download from the App Store or Google Play.

About Irish Design 2015
Irish Design 2015 (ID2015) is a year-long initiative backed by the Irish government exploring, promoting and celebrating Irish design throughout Ireland and internationally in order to drive job creation, grow exports and increase competitiveness. The initiative has been included in the Action Plan for Jobs. The programme for the year includes presenting the work of Irish designers at high profile events in design capitals including London, Paris, Eindhoven, Milan, New York, Chicago and Hong Kong/Shenzhen. ID2015 is being convened by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCoI), in collaboration with partner organisations, on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Enterprise Ireland. ID2015 partners include Founding Partners - MCO Projects; Accommodation Partners - The Doyle Collection; Venue Partners - OPW; Exhibition Partners - DAA; Technology Partners - IBM; Transport Partners - Bus Éireann Expressway; Construction Partners - SISK and Media Partners - RTÉ. www.irishdesign2015.ie