Jordi Berrio introduces us to the experience of Ireland, a small country which, over the last few years with its joining the European Union and the aid it has received, has seen a veritable revolution in its production structure. Industry and services have become the main components of this country's gross domestic product and its primary sector, as in all developed countries, has gone to 3rd position both in terms of employed workforce and wealth created. Within this context, and basically focusing on industrial design, the article outlines a model of possible policies to promote design, in which its importance in developing production is repeatedly demonstrated. The article also highlights the little interest and even mistrust which, to date, has been shown by Irish companies to design and the professionals working in this area. This fact is explained by the low turnover achieved by companies in this country. This article therefore shows us how a country that is starting its industrial adventure very late in the day in comparison with most of the countries in the European Union can arrive, per se, at the same conclusions with respect to design as the countries that started their industrialisation much earlier.