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Of Interest: Flax Meitheal Harvest Celebration – Co Tyrone

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Tickets are now available for the annual Flax Meitheal Harvest Celebration, on the weekend of 22rd-23st of August.

Fibreshed Ireland is once again partnering with Mallon Linen, Linen Workers CIC, and PlayThinkBrink to bring a weekend of presentations, panel discussions, craft demonstrations, a farm visit, music, and poetry.

Come learn about the history of linen production on this island, the present solutions & challenges, and help shape a regenerative, equitable and joyful flaxen future!

The event format combines a conference, a workshop, and a flax-harvesting party.

The first day in An Creagán will be more conference-style, with presentations and workshops throughout the day. It will finish with an evening of music, poetry, crafting, and craic. The second day in Mallon Linen will be a working day of harvesting flax.

When: the 22nd – 23rd of August

Where: An Creagán, 186 Barony Rd, Omagh, Co.Tyrone, BT79 9AB, Northern Ireland, UK

Mallon Linen Farm, 105 Pomeroy Rd, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, BT80 9EY, Northern Ireland, UK

For more information, visit Fibreshed Ireland’s website: https://fibreshedireland.ie/the-flax-meitheal-harvest-celebration-2026

Instagram: @fibreshed_ireland @ancreagan @mallonlinen @playthinkbrink


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.

Of Interest: Shaking Bog Festival 2026 – Co Wicklow

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The Shaking Bog Festival returns to the Glencree Valley, County Wicklow, with a programme of writers, artists, dancers, musicians, and nature experts for an event packed with creative engagement and immersive outdoor experience, designed to offer a sense of hope by connecting people more deeply with each other and with the natural world around them.

Reflecting on the traditions of the ancient Irish Bilberry Festival that marks the beginning of the Lughnasa harvest, this year’s Shaking Bog Festival is about gathering – gathering together to celebrate this shared heritage and, as always, our true connection to the natural world.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Sharon Wells, who, with Caroline Byrne, is part of Black Sheep, will be part of an Open Day sharing about Irish Wool on Saturday, the 22nd, as part of the Festival. Exploring the craft of woolmaking, from sheep farming through to the skills of knitting and felting, this event will lead people deep into a creative engagement with land, heritage, art, and nature.

NOTE: This particular event is sold out, but there are tickets available for other events.

When: The Festival runs from Friday, the 21st through Sunday, the 23rd of August

For more information, visit their website: https://www.shakingbog.ie/

Their Instagram: @theshakingbog @sharonwellsart @wicklowarts

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.

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland at Tullamore Show 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Siobhán Ryan

Sunday, the 9th of August, and the sun was shining at the annual Tullamore Agricultural Show in County Offaly!  It was an early start for Elizabeth, Clodagh, Siobhán, Linda, Mary O, and Mary G, who represented the Feltmakers Ireland Guild at the Crafts area. 

Our Volunteers

Mary O, Elizabeth, and Siobhan
Linda and Clodagh
Mary G and Clodagh

A record 70,000 people attended the show, and many dropped by to chat and watch the wet felting and needle-felting demonstrations. It is encouraging to see the level of interest in the craft, as evidenced by conversations and the many enquiries to join our guild. 

Member Linda Costello joined Feltmakers Ireland in 2025 and has become a regular attendee since we established Feltmakers Ireland West, which meets monthly in Co Galway.

Linda was delighted to win first prize with her entry ‘4 sods hard won turf’ and second prize for her ‘Contemporary Summer Garden’, both in the Horticulture section. She was also awarded a Best in Show certificate. Well done, Linda!!

Linda’s Pieces

Linda Costello’s ‘4 sods hard won turf’‘
Linda Costello’s ‘Contemporary Summer Garden‘

As we promote Irish wool, it was lovely to see the different breeds of sheep and the alpacas, all looking so well-tended and plentiful. Speaking with breeders, we learned that they are encouraged by this year’s increase in Irish wool prices; it is good news for everyone. 

Sheep and Alpaca Pics

Marshmallow Sheep made by a young person

It was a very positive day at the Tullamore Show, and Feltmakers Ireland is delighted to be invited to return for a 5th year in a row in 2027. 

Instagram: @tullamoreshow

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.

Open Call: Craft & Sustainability Festival – Barcelona 2026 – In person and online

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Craftwork Festival 2026 invites European practitioners to Barcelona for three days of exhibition, exchange, and reflection on how craft can shape more sustainable, circular, and environmentally responsible practice.

There are two participation tracks: one in person and the other online.

When: 2nd-4th of December, 2026

Where: ESPRONCEDA, Institute of Art and Culture, Carrer d’Espronceda, 326, Naves 5 & 10, Sant Andreu, 08027 Barcelona, Spain

For more information and to apply, visit this website: https://bit.ly/CW4ABCN

Their Instagram: @craftwork4all

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.

Of Interest: Webinar on Mini Mills – from the US

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There’s a recorded webinar from the Livestock Conservancy in the USA featuring a panel discussion on how small-scale fibre mills can help save rare sheep breeds and provide fibre for textile artists.

To watch the video, visit this website: https://livestockconservancy.org/resources/mini-micromills-webinar-2/

Their Instagram: @livestockconservancy

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.

Of Interest: Seeking Artists to Give Online Textile Talks

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) is seeking proposals from fibre artists who would like to present at one of SAQA’s 2027 Textile Talks. This is a paid opportunity open to artists worldwide.

Textile Talks features weekly presentations and panel discussions from four textile organisations: International Quilt Museum, Quilt Alliance, Studio Art Quilt Associates, and Surface Design Association.

There’s a playlist of previous Textile Talks: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXsBpWjk3xVCTzucHkrU3ly5NlLa7mW3f

They are looking for the following:

  • Artists with a strong body of work or point of view.
  • Artists who are using textiles or the quilt medium in interesting, new, or unique ways.
  • Artists who are documenting their work with strong visuals (photos or videos).
  • Fibre organisations and researchers/authors are also encouraged to apply. Artists may apply individually or as a group.

Deadline: the 31st of August.

For more information, visit their website: https://www.saqa.com/events/call-artist-speakers-textile-talks

Their Instagram: @saqaart

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.

Of Interest: ReStyle Ireland – Galway Sustainable Fashion Expo – Open Call

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Restyle Ireland is hosting an Open Call for all designers, makers, artists, educators, and changemakers.

Are you helping people rethink fashion through creativity, repair, reuse or traditional skills?

They’re looking for:

  • Designers
  • Artists
  • Craftspeople & Makers
  • Social Entrepreneurs
  • Workshop Facilitators & Instructors
  • Traditional Skills Practitioners
  • & More

Whether you’d like to run a workshop, give a demonstration, exhibit your work, or share your skills, they are interested in hearing from you.

Join in creating an event that celebrates circular fashion, creativity, and real alternatives to fast fashion and throwaway culture.

A recap of Restyle Dublin that was on the 4th of July, in Dún Laoghaire, can be seen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dah6JBxIxsl/

Expression of Interest forms can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1heSqgZDxHKwLtc2pE1XfW4lxikg_LQZ_fdSnO2S93D4

Their @restyle.ireland @theenvforum

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.

Open Calls: 2 Exhibitions Seeking Artwork – Esker Arts, Co Offaly & Market Gallery, Co Cork

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Esker Arts invites artists from or based in Offaly, Galway, Roscommon, Tipperary, Laois, Westmeath, Kildare, and Meath to submit one existing artwork for a group exhibition curated by Rachel Botha, taking place October–December 2026.

This year’s Open Call explores the idea of ‘the good neighbour’. It can be interpreted from the perspective of a community defined by place, identity, or commonality; understood beyond borders through shared causes or struggles; or viewed through our relationship with the natural environment.

Submissions in any medium and from artists at all stages of their careers are welcomed.

Deadline: Wednesday 26 August, 5:30 PM

There is no submission fee, and they’re seeking existing works. Selected artists will receive a small participation fee.

Esker Arts, High St, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NY50

To apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxhn9pMKRzX_1uH5ekMMuLclCoqzpZML7-yaawu-xvNQK3Qw/viewform

@eskerarts

The Market Gallery Cork is seeking artwork in any medium for an exhibition titled “Layers of the Land.” Suitable artworks could include landscapes or artworks about the land on which we live and our relationship to it.

Email submissions to marketgallery@douglasvillage.ie by midnight on Sunday 13th September.

Market Gallery, Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Douglas, Co Cork, T12 E39C

More information: https://www.marketgallerydouglas.com/open-call

@market_gallery_cork

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.

Of Interest: August Craft Month – 2 Feltmakers Ireland Guild Events – Plus, Felting Activities throughout Ireland

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland is hosting TWO August Craft Month events this year!

On Saturday, the 15th of August, Feltmakers Ireland West will be at King House, Boyle, Co Roscommon. They will have a felting fair featuring a mini-market, an exhibition, and four feltmaking workshops. For more information: https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/felting-fun-day/

On Sunday, the 16th of August, Feltmakers Ireland will be at the CIE Hall/ Inchicore Sports & Social Club, Co Dublin. For more information and to register a place in one of the two felting workshops where we will be creating wet and needle felted flowers, please visit this page: https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/experience-the-joy-of-felting/

In addition to our members’ events (see below), there are over 40 opportunities to experience felting throughout the island of Ireland. When on the August Craft Month website, in the ‘List View ‘, select the ‘Craft Type’ of ‘Felt’ to see ALL of the events! (One can search ‘Map View’, but then there is no option to select ‘Felt’.)

Members Events

Several of our members are hosting their own open studios, workshops, and markets.

Here are some of them, arranged in order of date:

Instagram: @augustcraftmonth26

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: Member Jane Fox has 3 Pieces in Late Night Art Bangor – Boom Studios – Runs through 19th of August

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Feltmakers Ireland guild member Jane Fox is participating in Late Night Art Bangor.

She has three pieces on exhibition at Boom Studios and is one of several artists, stallholders, and workshop facilitators showcasing their work as part of Late Night Art Bangor. The launch is today, Thursday, the 30th of July, from 6 – 9 PM.

The Eco Takeover exhibition will launch on Thursday, 30 July, and continues through to Wednesday, the 19th of August.

Where: Boom Studios, 80 Main St, Bangor BT20 5AE, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

“The title [of the image of Jane’s artwork] is ‘171 Trillion Pieces’, as this is the estimated amount of plastic that is in the Earth’s seas. I included a Common Gull because, although the name suggests they are found everywhere, they are actually a red-listed species, due to the rapid decline in numbers.” – Jane Fox.

To learn more about Late Night Art Bangor and see the other events happening, visit their website: https://latenightartbangor.com/

Instagram: @whitefox_felts @latenightartbangor @boom.studios

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.