FAQs for Manufacturing Day Ireland

Manufacturing Day Ireland is an Ibec initiative and a nationwide campaign that invites businesses across the country to open their doors to the public. It is an opportunity for businesses to showcase modern industrial innovation, celebrate the incredible work happening across Ireland's manufacturing sector, and raise the industries’ profile. Ultimately, the day serves as a national celebration designed to positively shift public perceptions and inspire the next generation of industry talent.

Manufacturing Day Ireland takes place annually on the first Friday of each October. This year it will take place on Friday, 2 October 2026. 

Manufacturing Day Ireland belongs to everyone who believes in the future of Irish manufacturing—from the companies driving modern innovation to the schools, jobseekers, and families who support them. Any manufacturing business can take part, big or small, and Ibec membership is not required for participation.

While events are welcome year-round, many hosts choose to align their celebrations with the day itself to raise awareness collectively as an industry. By coming together on this dedicated day, we amplify our shared voice, creating a far greater national impact in elevating the profile of the sector.

Every company can play a part in changing perceptions, regardless of size or sector. Like last year, there are two primary ways to participate: 

• Become an Event Host: Open your doors to students, educators, jobseekers, and your local community. Host a site tour, run a hands-on technology demonstration, or organise a career panel featuring your team.
• Become a Campaign Supporter: If hosting a site visit is not feasible, you can still champion the industry. Use the day to celebrate your staff internally, share your team’s success stories on social media using the official campaign assets, or partner virtually with local schools.

It is entirely up to the host and their available resources. Participating sites across the country can tailor their engagement to suit their operations. This is a unique opportunity to open minds as well as doors.

Key activities include:

• Career talks and panels tailored for those looking to enter the sector.
• Interactive demonstrations featuring cutting-edge, hands-on technology.
• Factory and site tours showcasing advanced automation and world-class products.
• Real stories shared directly by Ireland’s makers, innovators, and sustainability champions.
• Recognising and celebrating the creativity and collaboration of the current workforce.

No, Ibec membership is not required to participate in Manufacturing Day Ireland. Ibec calls on manufacturers across Ireland to open their doors. The campaign encourages sector-wide participation.

We encourage Event Hosts to engage with local schools or education providers as early as possible. This gives teachers and administrators ample time to organise travel, permissions, and class schedules.

Hosts are encouraged to reach out directly to local education providers and advertise within their community.

To help you plan a successful event, Ibec provides a comprehensive suite of resources and promotional materials to support event hosts. Check out our resources hub, which includes a host toolkit, downloadable templates, and social media assets to help you promote your event.

Access these templates and planning guides on our resource hub here: Manufacturing Day Ireland Resource Hub

There is no fixed duration or format. Host organisations can structure their participation to suit operational workflows, ranging from brief site tours and careers talks to all-day family open days, product expos, or virtual sessions.

Yes. While the flagship national campaign day is Friday, 2 October 2026, businesses are invited to host events on or near the day if another date better accommodates local academic calendars or facility operations. If you do choose to host your event on an alternative date, we highly encourage you to still share your highlights, photos, and stories on Friday, 2 October.

Companies can promote their activities across social channels, particularly on LinkedIn where they can publish company updates before and, on the day, using the hashtag #MDayIreland and utilise Ibec promotional graphics and toolkits. Ibec further amplifies registered events through national media engagement plans, storytelling partnerships, and social media promotion.

You can still register as a Campaign Supporter and be added to map. Events such as virtual webinars are also alternatives to hosting in person events.

Businesses are encouraged to register early on the national interactive map to profile their company, career pathways, and planned community outreach, even before finalising exact event schedules. For direct queries or assistance, campaign leads can contact manufacturingday@ibec.ie