Enterprise Ireland has opened a permanent showroom in Atlanta called "Design Gallery Ireland".

Eleven Irish giftware companies are represented in the 2,000 sq ft store located in the city's "AmericasMart" which provides more than 4 million sq ft of home interior products, linens, rugs, fashion accessories, jewellery and gift products.

The companies participating are: Blarney Stone Enterprises, Nicholas Mosse Pottery, Stephen Pearce Pottery, Newbridge Silver, Philip Gray, Forde Crafts, Wild Goose Studios, Galway Crystal, Tipperary Crystal, Solvar Jewellery and Donegal Parian China.

Ms Marina Donohoe, director Enterprise Ireland in America, said "AmericasMart" was identified as the best location to maximise potential sales and "Enterprise Ireland expects short-term sales by these companies of $600,000 in the US market and $3 million annually thereafter.

Participating companies are co-funding the showroom with Enterprise Ireland.