Author: Feltmakers Ireland

Recap: Opening of ‘Water and Flow’ Exhibition – Phoenix Park Visitor Centre

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A man with glasses and a mustache presenting at a wooden podium in front of blue artworks on a stone wall.
Conor O’Brien launched our exhibition

Feltmakers Irelandโ€™s ‘Water and Flow’ exhibition was officially launched on Saturday, 4th April at 3 PM in the beautiful gallery of the OPWโ€™s Phoenix Park Visitor Centre. The event was opened by knitwear designer Conor Oโ€™Brien, who shared insights into his creative journey, from studying at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) to discovering Aran knitting through a college assignment, with guidance from his grandmother. He also spoke about his strong support for using Irish-raised wool in his work, highlighting the importance of local materials and heritage in contemporary design. Learn more about Conor from his website- https://conorobrienstudio.com/

The exhibition features 67 striking pieces of felted artwork, showcasing the breadth and creativity of contemporary feltmaking. The opening was very well attended, with approximately 140 people present to celebrate the occasion. Since the launch, several works have been purchased by visitors.

‘Water and Flow‘ will continue to run until Sunday, 26th April, offering further opportunities to experience this vibrant and engaging exhibition.

Some Photos of the Launch

Photos courtesy of Tom Macagno, Loli Cox, and members’ contributions.

A group of ten people posing together in front of artwork in a gallery, with a mix of smiling expressions and vibrant clothing.
Conor O’Brien and some of the committee saying, ‘Wool’
An art gallery setting with two individuals; a woman speaking at a podium with a floral accessory, and a man casually dressed, standing nearby. Various artworks are displayed on the stone walls.
Loli Cox introducing Conor O’Brien
A man and a woman pose together in an art gallery, smiling. The man has short, curly hair and a moustache, wearing a black shirt. The woman has long, brown hair and is dressed in a patterned top featuring blue flowers. The background displays several pieces of art on stone walls.
Conor and Loli Cox
Two women standing in front of framed textile art pieces in a gallery setting. The woman on the left is wearing a knitted shawl and smiling, while the woman on the right is dressed in a coat and hat, with a neutral expression. Various artworks, including a floral piece and a vibrant sunset, are displayed on the wall behind them.
Founder Elizabeth Bonnar and Juliane Gorman
Two women smiling at a table filled with various pastries, biscuits, and cheeses in an art gallery setting, with artworks displayed on the walls.
Siobhรกn Healy Ryan and Elizabeth Redding setting up the refreshments
A man and a woman standing in an art gallery, smiling at the camera. The man wears an orange fleece top and jeans, while the woman has short, grey hair and is dressed in a colourful, felt vest with a decorative bag. Various artworks are displayed on the stone wall behind them.
Claire Merry and her husband Phil
A crowded gallery space filled with people attending an art exhibition. Artwork is displayed on the stone walls, and a table with refreshments is in the foreground.
The gallery was full of visitors
An art exhibition featuring a speaker in front of a gathered audience, with artworks displayed on the stone wall behind.
Conor O’Brien speaking
A crowded art gallery event with attendees socialising and viewing artwork on display. The venue features stone walls and various paintings hanging. Some people are holding drinks and engaged in conversation.
People chatting
A crowd of people viewed an art exhibition, standing in a gallery with stone walls. Various artworks are displayed on the walls and the audience appears engaged.
Visitors listening
A group of visitors exploring an art gallery featuring various artworks on display. The gallery has a stone wall and wooden flooring, with attendees engaged in conversation and admiring the art.
More people at the launch
A group of people chatting at an art exhibition, surrounded by colourful artworks on the walls and in a gallery with stone and brick architecture.
The only photo of Sam Fagan, our Treasurer, wearing her Foxford Blanket Jacket

The Gallery

A collection of various artworks displayed on a stone wall, featuring a sheep portrait, abstract and landscape pieces, and a felt art piece depicting a glass of water with animals, accompanied by information plaques.
A felted sculpture depicting a small house with the word 'Cafรฉ' on it, surrounded by stones. In the foreground, a miniature figure is pulling a yellow inflatable raft with a small dog inside. In the background, there are artworks displayed on stone walls, including a black cat sculpture.
A felted portrait of a woman with long hair, exhibiting expressive features and a contemplative gaze. The artwork is framed and displayed on a brick wall, accompanied by a label detailing the artist.
Art exhibition featuring three framed artworks displayed on a brick wall. The top piece depicts a bird in flight against a cloudy sky, the left artwork features a vibrant landscape with trees, and the right piece presents a textured design with seashells and flowing blue colours. Accompanying labels provide information about the artists.
An art gallery display featuring three framed artworks hanging on a textured stone wall. The left artwork depicts a vibrant landscape with a river, the centre artwork shows a waterfall, and the right piece features abstract stone formations. Accompanied by descriptions on the wall.
An art installation featuring three pieces of felt artwork against a stone wall. The top left piece displays a white water lily on a dark background, the middle piece is a blue abstract design, and the right piece depicts vibrant elephants against a sunset scene. Artist information is displayed below each artwork.
Two decorative table lamps with unique felt shades displayed on a clear surface. The lamp on the left features a white shade with blue wave patterns, while the lamp on the right has a beige shade with blue fish designs.
A textured artwork framed in white, depicting a vertical arrangement of stones and organic shapes, set against a backdrop resembling earthy waves, displayed on a stone wall.
An art display featuring four framed artworks on a stone wall. The pieces include an abstract blue swirl, a stylized portrait with blonde hair, and a vibrant blue piece with black elements, alongside a textured blue fabric artwork. Each artwork has a descriptive plaque beneath it.
A gallery wall featuring various artworks framed and hung against a stone background. The pieces include abstract paintings in shades of blue, a portrait, and a textured textile art piece, each accompanied by informational plaques.
A gallery display featuring three artworks on a stone wall. On the left, a framed blue textile piece with abstract designs. The centre piece depicts a white bird surrounded by colourful foliage. On the right, a vibrant textile artwork showing a boat with characters sailing on a blue sea under a rainbow.
A hand-felted vase in shades of blue and teal on the left, alongside a felted landscape sculpture featuring a waterfall and greenery on the right. Both pieces are displayed in an art gallery setting with stone walls.
A wooden display stand holding a textured blue wool sculpture resembling waves, with a information card beside it.
A felted vest displayed on a mannequin, featuring a wave-inspired design in shades of blue and white, set against a stone wall in an art exhibition.
A gallery wall featuring various artworks, including a vibrant felted creature on the left, a textile piece depicting a surfer on a wave, a hanging fabric artwork with blue motifs, and a framed piece resembling a swirling vortex.
A handmade felt figurine with a serene expression, featuring brightly coloured hair and clothing, adorned with jewellery and holding a feather.
A handcrafted black cat figure made of felt, featuring bright yellow eyes and a pink nose, posed on a wooden base next to two small felt fish.
A gallery wall displaying various pieces of artwork, including felt creations and paintings, accompanied by artist descriptions. The artworks feature diverse themes such as nature, underwater scenes, and abstract designs against a stone wall backdrop.
An art display featuring various framed paintings and textile artworks on a stone wall, showcasing oceanic themes and landscapes.
An art exhibition featuring four framed artworks displayed on a stone wall, with information plaques below each piece.
A collection of four artworks displayed on a stone wall, featuring a felted piece with a swimmer, a textured vertical artwork, a circular stone sculpture, and a framed painting.
Three blue felted vases displayed on a white surface, featuring a whimsical figure dressed in blue sitting atop the largest vase. The background shows an art gallery with artworks on stone walls.
A handcrafted felt mermaid figure sitting on a display, wearing a pink hat with flowers and a textured tail.
A blue artistic shawl displayed on a stand, featuring textured floral designs and fringes, situated in an exhibition space with a stone wall background.
An art display featuring three pieces on a white wall. On the left, a floral textured painting in vibrant colours. In the centre, a blue crafted wall piece with rounded shapes. To the right, a hanging textile artwork depicting flowers and foliage, with a blue fabric flowing downwards.
An art exhibition featuring four textile artworks. On the left, a colourful tapestry of a waterfall and trees; next to it, a felted piece depicting flowing water; above, a textured artwork with leaves; and below, two smaller felted pieces in shades of blue and grey, all displayed on a white wall with accompanying artist information.

Artists with their Artwork

Last year, in the blog post about our ‘Common Threads’ exhibition at the National Design and Craft Gallery in Kilkenny, we included a section featuring members alongside their pieces. As it is an engaging feature, we hope to get a photo of each member who is in the show.

If we overlooked you at the opening, or you have yet to visit, can you please take a photo of yourself next to your piece and email it to the following address: feltmakerIE@gmail.com

A woman with long blonde hair wearing glasses and a red scarf, standing in front of vivid artwork in an art gallery. The artworks include a framed piece depicting a bird flying in a blue sky and another abstract piece with soft blue and white colours.
Adrienne Dempsey
A smiling woman with long blonde hair stands beside a handcrafted puppet on a table, set against a backdrop of colourful artwork displayed on a stone wall.
Alison Duffy
A woman with grey hair wearing a black top and a green scarf stands next to a framed textile artwork of a figure surrounded by blue and green colours, displayed on a stone wall.
Anne Heavey
A woman with short purple hair stands in front of an abstract blue painting with yellow accents, hanging on a stone wall. She wears a patterned top and a green scarf, and a decorative necklace.
Annika Berglund
A woman in a light pink blazer stands smiling in front of a wall displaying vibrant felt art, including a white lily and a colourful abstract piece.
Audrey Murray
A smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a blue top and a yellow scarf, stands in front of an artwork display featuring a sculpted face on a blue textile background. The walls are made of stone and there are more artworks visible nearby.
Belinda Reid
A woman with curly hair stands in front of a framed artistic portrait of a woman with blonde hair and red lips, displayed on a stone wall. She is wearing a floral patterned top and an olive green coat.
Caitrรญona Nolan
An elderly woman stands smiling beside two vibrant textile artworks depicting a waterfall and nature scenes, in an art gallery setting.
Claire Merry
A woman stands smiling in front of a stone wall, displaying a felt art piece featuring a glass of water, animals, and raindrops, alongside several artworks and descriptions.
Corina Hogan
A woman with shoulder-length hair wearing a teal jacket stands smiling in front of a framed artwork depicting a portrait of a girl with long hair and a pensive expression. The background features exposed brick and a visitor information board.
Deirdre Crofts
A woman with curly hair smiles while standing next to a colourful abstract artwork in an art gallery, with exposed stone walls in the background.
Elaine Peden
A smiling woman with long hair, wearing a black jacket and a red top, stands in front of art displayed on a stone wall. The artwork includes a colourful textile piece with the word 'PHOENIX' and another depicting a figure fishing by a river.
Elizabeth Redding
A smiling woman wearing a grey beret and round glasses holds a needle-felted black cat sculpture on a wooden base, surrounded by artwork displayed on a stone wall.
Eva Salamon
A woman smiling in front of a framed artwork depicting an underwater scene, surrounded by colourful felted pieces on a stone wall in an exhibition.
Hedi Gotthalmseder
A woman with glasses smiles confidently while standing beside a framed artwork of leaves with water droplets. The background features various textile art pieces.
Hรฉlรจne Dooley
A woman smiling in front of a handcrafted textile hanging against a stone wall, featuring blue designs on a white background, showcasing her artwork.
Jacqueline Atkinson
A woman and a young girl, both smiling, pose together in front of framed artworks in a gallery. The woman wears a dark coat and a beige beanie, while the girl is in a patterned coat and a multicoloured hat holding a cup of strawberries.
Joanne Foley
A woman with grey hair wearing a light blue and black garment stands alongside textile artworks in a gallery. She is smiling and appears to be engaged with the exhibit, which includes felted pieces and a vibrant landscape scene.
Juliane Gorman
A woman stands beside an artistic display in a gallery, showcasing blue-textured textile art on a mannequin and a wooden crate. She wears a dark coat, blue scarf, and holds a matching bag.
Katarina Hruskova
A woman in a patterned yellow dress stands in front of a stone wall displaying colourful felt artwork, which includes depictions of a building and a landscape with a waterfall.
Linda Costello
A woman standing next to a piece of textile art in an exhibition, wearing a patterned sleeveless top with a blue flower brooch and black trousers.
Loli Cox
A smiling woman with glasses and long, blonde hair stands in front of an art exhibition, wearing a black coat and blue beaded necklaces. Behind her are colourful textile artworks displayed on a stone wall.
Lorna Cady
A woman stands beside a framed piece of textured artwork depicting a landscape with a river, featuring various colours and materials. The artwork is displayed in an art gallery with brick and stone walls.
Lucia Errity
A woman standing in an art gallery, smiling and wearing a black cardigan. Behind her is a colourful abstract artwork made of various materials, displayed on a stone wall.
Margaret Corroon
A woman stands beside a colourful abstract artwork featuring jellyfish-like forms, set against a textured background of blues and greens, in an art gallery.
Marie Dunne
A woman stands next to a sculpture of a cottage made from felt, featuring a scene with figures in a kayak. The background displays various artworks on a stone wall.
Marie Hopkins
A woman with glasses stands beside three pieces of felted artwork displayed on a gallery wall. Two artworks are hung above her, featuring natural elements, with vibrant colours and textures.
Marika Miklosi-Manning
A woman with wavy blonde hair and glasses stands beside a framed piece of artwork featuring a textured design of pebbles and earthy tones, with a stone wall and a window in the background.
Neasa Ryan
A woman stands in front of a wall displaying various artworks, including a circular blue piece. She is wearing a patterned blue and white blouse and blue jeans, smiling at the camera.
Patricia Conroy
A woman with long, silver hair and glasses stands smiling in front of framed artwork on a stone wall. The artwork includes a colourful landscape and other pieces, while she wears a denim jacket.
Sandra Chase
A smiling woman stands beside a framed artwork featuring a blue spiral design on a textured background, displayed on a stone wall.
Siobhรกn Healy Ryan

Online Catalogue

Here’s a link to Feltmakers Irelandโ€™s online catalogue of โ€˜Water and Flowโ€™

There is also a PDF version of the catalogue.

Two women smiling in an art gallery featuring various artworks on the walls, standing close together.
Annika and Fiona after all of their hard work

Appreciation

Thank you to everyone who helped make this exhibition such a success.

Many thanks to Conor Oโ€™Brien for launching the exhibition with his interesting talk, to our members for contributing their fantastic artwork, and to Annika Berglund and Fiona Leech for displaying everything so beautifully. Additionally, we would like to thank Loli Cox for introducing our guest speaker. Weโ€™re also very grateful to the committee members for organising and setting up the lovely refreshments. Finally, we want to thank the OPW Phoenix Park Visitor Centre for again inviting us to use their stunning gallery for our annual exhibition.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us:ย If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions:ย For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Sunday Session

Sunday Session: Felt & Fabric Design Transfer Workshop – with Adrienne Dempsey

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A felt bowl featuring an embroidered bee design, promoting an April workshop for felt and fabric design transfer.

For our April Sunday Session, we will learn how to transfer designs onto felt fabrics using soluble fabric and heat-transfer techniques with committee member Adrienne Dempsey.

In this workshop, weโ€™ll explore different methods for transferring designs and bring them to life through needle felting.

Youโ€™ll create a motif that you can use in your own artwork or transform into a decorative piece, such as a brooch.

Hand-stitched felted bee design on a natural fabric backdrop within an embroidery hoop.
Close-up of a handmade felt brooch featuring a black and yellow bee design on a circular beige background.

Materials we will use:

โ€ขLinen and silk canvas fabric
โ€ขHeat transfer materials, fabric pens
โ€ขSoluble fabric
โ€ขVilene, cotton batting, calico, and Pellon
โ€ขParchment paper
โ€ขNeedle felting wool (black & white and a selection of colours)
โ€ขFelting needles
โ€ขIron
โ€ขEmbroidery threads & beads (optional)

What to bring:

Bring both your Needle and Wet Felting Kits

  • Felting wool and felting needles
  • Felting pad
  • Towel
  • Bowl for water
  • Soap
  • Bubble wrap
  • Small scissors
  • Embroidery hoop (6 inch, optional)

The Details:

When: Sunday, theย 12th of April, 2026, 10:30 AM โ€“ 12:30 PM.

Where:ย CIE Sports Hall, Library Square, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Dublin, D8

Additionalย Information:

If you can, please bring a home-baked good to share and a travel mug (so we can reduce our use of disposable cups).

And, as this is the season of coughs and sneezes, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell.

NO Zoom Access to this Sunday Session:

Unfortunately, we willย NOT be able to provide Zoomย access for this Sunday’s session, as our tech support (Juliane) cannot attend. Thank you for your understanding.


Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: More Sneak Peeks from Water and Flow

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Close-up view of textured fabric featuring blue and white patterns with several circular holes.
Jacqueline Atkinson
A close-up of a felted green fish with decorative beads, surrounded by colourful felted stones and seaweed against a blue background.
Eglฤ— Silenaite-Enyed
Close-up of a textured fabric featuring a swirl pattern in cream and dark grey.
Yamila Fournier

Sneak Peeks

To whet your appetite for the artwork that will be shown, please enjoy a series of ‘sneak peeks’ of details of some of the work.

Jacqueline Atkinson:

The wet winter of 2025/2026 was the inspiration for Jacqueline’s interpretation of the theme ‘water and flow’ when the battering, pounding, and sudden downpours of rain often made craters in her land. Hence the Irish title ‘Batar Fearthainne’ which she thinks adequately captures the sentiment she was hoping to portray.

Eglฤ— Silenaite-Enyed:

ย The flow in my art symbolises not only the flow of water but also the flow of time. Little pebbles with ancient symbols are sunken below. The flow of water is hiding the secrets of the past. Those times are gone, the time flows…

Yamila Fournier:

After 16 years inland, I moved to coastal Dublin, where the smell of the sea and the pull of the tides reminded me of the rhythm that had been a part of me since the day I was born, since before I was born.

The shore is filled with exciting opposites: gritty sand and wave-smoothed rocks, welcoming water and unknowable depths, chaos of crashing waves reshaping the shore daily and the reliable regularity of the tides. In the face of the vastness of the water, I look to the tiniest bits, portable microscope in hand…

Feltmakers Ireland’s exhibition ‘Water and Flow’ will be available to view from Thursday, the 2nd, to Sunday, the 26th of April. The Centre is open every day, from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.

Our official launch is THIS Saturday at 3 PM. Knitwear designer Conor O’Brien will open our show.

Please note: We have learned that the gallery will be closed at 1: 30 PM on the afternoon of Monday, the 6th of April, due to an event being held at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us:ย If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions:ย For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: Water and Flow – More Sneak Peeks

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Close-up of a textile featuring blue embroidery of birds, flowers, and a bridge, with a square patch illustrating white figures on a blue background.
Karen McSweeney
A vibrant depiction of a waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by lush greenery and colourful flowers.
Claire Merry
Close-up of a textured fabric featuring shades of blue and purple, with metallic threads interwoven, set against a gold patterned background.
Breda Fay

Sneak Peeks

To whet your appetite for the artwork that will be shown, please enjoy a series of ‘sneak peeks’ of details of some of the work.

Karen McSweeney:

As a nautical artist I was inspired to use pieces of sea pottery, which were washed up on the Burrow Beach Dublin. The design is a nod to the willow pattern on the pottery.

Claire Merry:

 Water falls are mesmerising and breathtaking. The falling water contrasts with the surrounding lush vegetation providing both a visual and aural experience, which brings solace to the mind and soul. 

My piece tries to capture the moment of walking into a glade and seeing the water fall for the first time.

Breda Fay:

This piece of work is based on the 1832 poem “The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred Tennyson, illustrating the “stream that runneth ever”. Situated on an island in the middle of the stream, was a tower where the Lady of Shallott lived. Cursed to never look outside except through a mirror she spent all her time happily weaving a “charmed web”. Then one day, in her mirror, she saw a handsome knight and decided she could no longer live that life of shadows. She ran to the window and watched the knight ride down to Camelot. Once she left her loom, “out flew the web and floated wild” and the lady died.

Feltmakers Ireland’s exhibition ‘Water and Flow’ will be available to view from Thursday, the 2nd, to Sunday, the 26th of April. The Centre is open every day, from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.

Our official launch is THIS Saturday at 3 PM. Knitwear designer Conor O’Brien will open our show.

Please note: We have learned that the gallery will be closed at 1: 30 PM on the afternoon of Monday, the 6th of April, due to an event being held at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Exhibition: THIS Saturday ‘Water and Flow’ Launches

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A close-up view of a textured fabric artwork featuring waves of colour, including greens, whites, and blues, with circular felted shapes resembling shells or flowers.
Tamzen Lundy
Close-up of several white felted wool rings arranged on a textured surface, with small brown beads in the background.
Sandra Reynolds
A close-up image of a colourful felted fish design, featuring vibrant hues of blue, orange, and yellow on a textured white background.
Corina Hogan

Feltmakers Ireland’s exhibition ‘Water and Flow’ will be available to view from Thursday, the 2nd, to Sunday, the 26th of April. The Centre is open every day, from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.

Our official launch is THIS Saturday at 3 PM. Knitwear designer Conor O’Brien will open our show.

Please note: We have learned that the gallery will be closed on the afternoon of Monday, the 6th of April, due to an event being held at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.

Sneak Peeks

To whet your appetite for the stimulating artwork that will be shown, please enjoy a series of ‘sneak peeks’ of details of some of the work.

Tamzen Lundy:

Inspired by the meeting place of land and sea, The Convergence evokes the rhythmic flow of water against the shoreline โ€” a threshold where elements collide and merge. This liminal space, poised between solidity and movement, suggests a point of quiet transformation: a place where boundaries dissolve and something magical may occur.

Sandra Reynolds:

The theme of ‘Water and Flow’ really resonates with me. I’ve been lucky enough to always live near the sea and enjoy my daily beach walks there. My work for this particular piece with wool reflects the shapes and colours of marine life both above and below Water.

Corina Hogan:

My interpretation is based on the realisation that all Humans, Animal Kingdom and Plants require water to survive and flourish. A basic need for all and so important.

Their Instagram: @tamzenlundydesigns @sandysosew @corina.lewis.hogan

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us:ย If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions:ย For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland at The European Wool Experience

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Two women and a child engaging in a crafting activity, using their hands to felt materials on a table covered with bubble wrap.
A group of people engaged in a crafting activity at a workshop, with several participants seated at a table working with materials, and others standing around observing and interacting.

On Saturday, the 28th of March, lots of lovely volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland travelled down to Tralee to the European Wool Experience, to share our love of feltmaking with visitors from all over Ireland and Europe.

We demonstrated wet felting using Irish-raised wool.

And our hands-on feltmaking workshops were very, very popular! As we were super busy, we didn’t take as many photographs as we might have done. (All around us were amazing displays that featured Irish Wool. To see some of these, look at the Instagram accounts of Sharon Wells and the Meadowlands Hotel:

Felted Artworks

In addtion to sharing feltmaking, we shared our artwork with a joint exhibition with the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers, who kindly brought some of our work to Tralee on our behalf.

Here’s a brief video of our exhibition:

Appreciation to Everyone

A group of four individuals, two women speaking into a microphone while two others listen, at an event featuring artworks displayed on blue boards in the background.

HUGE thanks to the European Wool Exchange, Catherine Phibbs of the Irish Grown Wool Council, and most of all to Sharon Wells for inviting us to be part of the European Wool Experience. It was inspiring to be part of your vision and help to make it a reality!

(In the photo, from left to right are the organisers: Sharon Wells, Dรณra Jamniczky-Kaszรกs of the European Wool Exchange (EWE), Catherine Phibbs of the Irish Grown Wool Council, and Alberto Costa of EWE.

Especially warm thanks to ALL of the members who helped us with this event. Huge appreciation to our members who embraced working with Irish wool and trusted us with their artwork. Lastly, thank you to the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, which, through their GANS Network Support Scheme, helped fund the Irish-raised wool we purchased from ร‰riu and Woolstore Ireland and distributed to our members.

Bit by bit, we are trying through our feltmaking to increase the use of locally grown, Irish wool!

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us:ย If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions:ย For content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Awards: Open Call to the RDS Craft Awards โ€“ 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Image promoting an open call for Craft Awards, featuring the RDS logo on a dark blue background.

Applications are open for theย RDS Craft Awardsย 2026. It is a competition open to all craft makers living on the island of Ireland and Irish-born craft makers working overseas.โ€ฏย The work of emerging and established makers is judged separately, with specific prizes to support emerging craftspeople.

The Awards will be made from a total prize fund of โ‚ฌ62,000.

The Emerging Maker category is open to individuals who arenโ€™t necessarily recent graduates, and there is no age limit. Instead, there are these requirements:

  • Focus on heritage, skills, and sustainable practices.
  • Practice commencedย within the past 10 years, with the determination to grow their craft at home and abroad.
  • Work must be made and sourced in Ireland.

Emerging Makers

โ€ข Exhibit at the National Museum of Ireland
โ€ข Showcase your work at the Gifted Contemporary Craft Fair
โ€ข Receive dedicated mentorship to grow your practice

Established Makers

โ€ข A major opportunity to exhibit at the National Museum of Ireland

There is also a Bursary for Lace.

The deadline for applying is theย 13th of April. There is no fee to enter.

For more information and to apply, visit their website โ€“ https://www.rds.ie/rds-foundation/arts/craft-awards

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For questions about the content, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Education: Wet Cyanotype Printing Online Class – Ashleigh Ellis – Natural Dyers Academy

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A woman holding printed cyanotype artwork, showcasing blue and white leaf designs, while smiling and gesturing. In the background, there is a sign that reads 'Clothes Swap'.

A four-week course is open to both beginners and experienced creatives who want to explore richly detailed textures and natural colours with Wet Cyanotype Printing on Paper and Textiles.

Guided by Ashleigh Ellis, students will learn to work with botanicals, wet ingredients, and natural dyes to create unique, environmentally conscious works of art.

Start Date: Thursday, the 7th of May 2026
Duration: 4 weeks
Format: Online – Live Zoom teaching, recordings of Lives, and downloadable PDFs

For more information, visit the Natural Dyers’ Academy website – https://appleoakfibreworks.com/collections/academy-short-courses/products/wet-cyanotype-printing-on-paper-7th-of-may-2026

Their Instagram: @naturaldyersacademy @ashleighellis_natureartist

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

News: Guild Member Dr Niki Collier Solo Exhibition – National Museum of Ethnography, Bulgaria

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A woman in a grey dress and hat sits in front of a large decorative backdrop featuring colourful, oversized butterfly wings. Behind her, a performer with wings in pink and white poses gracefully.

Recently, the artwork of Feltmakers Ireland guild member Dr Niki Collier has been featured in a solo show, ‘Symbols of Mobility’ in Bulgaria. It has ten installations, including the following: The Phoenix, Children of Lir, The Black Swan, and the newest bird joining the flock- the Flamingo. This travelling exhibition was launched at the National Museum of Ethnography in Sofia on Brigid’s Day, on the 2nd of February, by the Irish ambassador in Bulgaria, Her Excellency Catherine Bannon.

The exhibition has been visited by a record-breaking number of visitors, and there has been coverage on all major television stations: BTV, Nova, BNT, along with many radio stations: Horizon, Focus, BTA, and others.

Dr Collier also held a seminar at Shumen University on Brigid, alongside an exhibition of photographs of her installations. In addition, she led a few workshops at the National School of Applied Art, at the museum, and had an installation at a yarn shop.

There is a video of the exhibition launch on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1163154259226409

More information about the exhibition can be found on the Museum’s website – https://www.bas.bg/?p=62183&lang=en

Here’s a link about the exhibition on the artist’s website – https://www.nikicollier.com/solo-exhibition-ethnography-museum-of-bulgaria/

Her Instagram: @nikicollierfelt

Disclaimer for Feltmakers Ireland Blog

Feltmakers Ireland aims to share information about awards, education, events, exhibitions, and opportunities that you will find interesting. Our sharing is neither paid for by nor an endorsement of these individuals or organisations.

Contact Us: If you have any concerns about content, please email us at feltmakersie@gmail.com.

Questions: For content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Exhibition: Feltmakers Ireland Presents โ€˜Water and Flowโ€™ Exhibition โ€“ Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Gallery โ€“ Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
'Water and Flow' Feltmakers Ireland Group Exhibition poster, featuring felt artwork by Joanne Turner. Details about the exhibition location at Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, dates from 2nd to 26th April, and opening hours. Announcement of a launch event with knitwear designer Conor O'Brien on the 4th.

Feltmakers Ireland is delighted to present โ€˜Water and Flowโ€™, a vibrant group exhibition featuring the contemporary artwork of 68 members. This showcase explores the many interpretations of water through the rich and versatile medium of felt.

From gentle streams to powerful oceans, โ€˜Water and Flowโ€˜ explores the many moods of water: its energy and stillness, its capacity for renewal, and its connection to human emotion, from sorrow to joy.

Using fibres ranging from imported Merino wool to locally sourced Irish fleece, members have created a diverse body of work that highlights both traditional and contemporary felting practices. Featuring an array of textile techniques, including wet felting and needle felting, guild members have created three-dimensional sculptures, wall art, and wearable pieces, each offering a unique perspective on the theme, reflecting the creativity and individuality of the artists involved.

The Opening

The exhibition will be officially launched by knitwear designer Conor Oโ€™Brien on Saturday, 4 April at 3 PM.

Where and When

The exhibition is at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Gallery and runs from Thursday, the 2nd of April, to Sunday, the 26th of April. The hours are 9:30 AM to 5 PM, daily, with the exhibition closing on its final day at 3 PM.

The gallery is conveniently accessible by Dublin Bus number 99 and is located within the historic Phoenix Park. There is ample parking near the Centre.

For further details, including maps and directions to the park, visit https://www.phoenixpark.ie/directions.

The artwork featured on the exhibition poster is โ€˜Waterfallโ€™ by Joanne Turner.

Her Instagram @olannoriginals

We warmly invite you to join us for the opening or visit throughout the month to experience this dynamic and engaging exhibition celebrating feltmaking in Ireland.

Online Catalogue

A link to Feltmakers Ireland’s online catalogue of ‘Water and Flow’

There is also a PDF version of the catalogue (if the above link is not working for you).