Category: News

Of Interest: Rethinking Textile Waste Symposium and Exhibitions- Haslach an der Mühl, Austria

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This year, the Textile Culture Haslach‘s summer symposium is centred around the theme “Rethinking Textile Waste.” It explores current issues surrounding overproduction and recycling, questions our approach to fast fashion and production waste, and highlights ideas that view waste as a valuable resource. Several exhibitions and evening events will shed light on different aspects of this broad topic.

When: the 20th -31st of July, 2026

Where: Textile Culture Haslach,, Stahlmühle 4, 4170 Haslach an der Mühl, AUSTRIA

For more information, visit https://www.textilkurse.at/sommersymposium/

Instagram @textileszentrumhaslach


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Of Interest: Feltmakers Ireland West Meet-up – Wet Felted Butterflies- Creggs, Co Galway – THIS Sunday

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This Sunday, Feltmakers Ireland West will meet up to create Wet Felted Butterflies.

Please bring the following items:

  • Spray bottle
  • Towel
  • A small piece of bubble wrap 
  • A small piece of net 
  • Merino wool

When: Sunday, the 12th of July, 2026, at 11 AM

Where: The CS Parnell Heritage Centre, Creggs, F42 X674

If you are attending, please RSVP to feltmakersirelandwest@gmail.com

@feltmakersirelandwest


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.

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

Of Interest: Wool in the News – Peatland Restoration – Antrim Hills

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A new peatland restoration trial at Slievenanee Mountain in the Antrim Hills is exploring whether locally sourced wool can help restore damaged blanket bog.

The initiative, led by Ulster Wildlife and Ulster Farmers’ Union, working alongside Sustainable Rope Ltd, Ulster Wool and Ulster University, is the largest trial of its kind in Northern Ireland to date. There are 60 ‘logs’ made from scoured local wool.

The project involves installing 60 “wool logs” in areas of exposed and eroded blanket bog. Made from scoured fleece compacted into wool textile sacks, the logs are designed to slow water flow, trap sediment, and support the re-establishment of peat-forming vegetation such as sphagnum moss.

Wool, as a material, has already shown promising results in peatland trials elsewhere in the UK, particularly at upland sites in Scotland and northern England, where it has been used to stabilise eroding peat and retain moisture.

UFU Peatlands officer Stephanie Clokey said, “Wool is a natural, biodegradable material and is a logical solution for peatland management. Here we’re helping to rebuild damaged areas by using materials that work with the landscape, while supporting local farmers and adding value to something that has recently often been treated as a waste product rather than a resource, while creating new opportunities for what is often an underused by-product of farming.”

To learn more about the project, visit their website – https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/news/local-wool-put-test-innovative-peatland-restoration-trial

@ulsterwildlife

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.

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Of Interest: ReStyle Dublin – This Saturday in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

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ReStyle Dublin will take place across Dún Laoghaire this Saturday, the 4th of July, bringing together a full day of creativity, sustainability, fashion, and community.

Guild member Sandra Reynolds is one of the Makers and will be offering two embroidery workshops to upcycle wearables.

Throughout the day there are:

  • Workshops
  • Live demonstrations
  • A repair café
  • Swap shops
  • A fashion show
  • Talks, stalls, exhibitions, and much more!

The organisers ask that attendees bring clothes in need of repair, clothes to upcycle or alter, and clothes to swap or donate.

More information and free tickets can be found here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restyle-dublin-a-sustainable-fashion-expo-free-event-tickets-1991909161924

Their Instagram @restyle.ireland @rediscoveryctr @sandystitchedup


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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.

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

News: Guild Member Karena Ryan featured in the Irish Independent – Artwork to be Displayed at Pulchri Studio, The Hague

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Artwork by Feltmakers Ireland member Karena Ryan is to be included in an international exhibition opening at Pulchri Studio in The Hague, Netherlands, this weekend.

Her two textile artworks are inspired by Moya Cannon’s poem ‘Carrying the Songs’.

Each piece is hand-embroidered on vintage Irish wool blankets and explores memory, migration, and the stories held within inherited cloth.

The opening takes place on Saturday, the 4th of July at 15.00, with speakers including the Ambassador of Ireland, Ann Derwin; Pulchri Studio chairman, Ed van der Kooy; Hamilton Gallery owner, Martina Hamilton; and the poet, Moya Cannon.

When: The 4th through the 26th of July

Where: Pulchri Studio, Lange Voorhout 15, 2514 EA Den Haag, Netherlands

To read the newspaper article, visit the Independent – https://www.independent.ie/county/galway/galway-artist-selected-for-major-exhibition-in-the-hague-its-an-honour-to-represent-my-work-on-an-international-stage/a/157863925.html

Instagram @karenaryantextiles @pulchristudio


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.

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Exhibitions: Members with Art Shows

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Currently, several of our members are exhibiting their work.

Guild member Egle Enyed has a solo exhibition in the lobby of McCauley Place.

Where: McCauley Place, Sallins Rd, Naas West, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 D62E

When: Until the 13th of July

Her Instagram: @felt_happens

Guild member Caoilfionn Murphy O’Hanlon (aka Cushla of Gullion) has artwork in the Bridge Street Studios group show, The Things that Matter Most are the Things That Can’t Be Seen, which features the works of eight artists. The show celebrates 30 years of the Bridge Street Studios existence.

Where: Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 FXC6

When: the 27th of June 27th to the 22nd of August 2026.

More information about the exhibition, here – https://www.droichead.com/show-detail/?id=873685735

@droichead.arts.centre @bridgeststudios @cushla_of_gullion

Guild member Maggie Mac has a piece in the ‘Members and Friends Exhibition 2026’. Running annually for more than 40 years, this exhibition showcases work by artists from across West Cork and beyond, at all stages of their careers.

Where: West Cork Arts Centre, Uillinn, Coronea, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, P81 VW98

When: through the 16th of July

@uillinnwestcorkarts @maggiemac_visual_artist


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.

Of Interest: Members in the News – IFA Felt Matters

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Cover artwork by Kathy Hoath

Two of Feltmakers Ireland’s members were recently part of issue number 163 of the International Feltmakers Association’s quarterly journal, ‘Felt Matters’.

Hélène Dooley wrote an article on the five ‘Discovering Feltmaking‘ online courses of the IFA’s Education Team, and Kelly Driscoll wrote an article featuring her structural feltwork.

Photo of samples of students’ work from the IFA’s Discovering Feltmaking series of online courses
Photo of Kelly Driscoll’s piece, ‘Life Lines’, as it was being installed at the European Wool Experience exhibition in Tralee, in March. (Her artwork packing was superb!)

More information about the IFA’s Discovering Feltmaking online education program, here – https://www.feltmakers.com/discovering-feltmaking-course/

As part of the IFA’s annual membership package, members receive the magazine four times a year. Past issues can be purchased from the IFA website – https://www.feltmakers.com/shop/page/2/

Their Instagram @internationalfeltmakers @feltzen @kdriscoll_fibers

If you are a guild member and have news you wish to share, please email feltmakersie@gmail.com

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.

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

Of Interest: Makers Academy Launched – Kilkenny Design and the Local Enterprise Office

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A group of eight women and one man gathered around a table decorated with various crafted items, showcasing products and artwork at the Kilkenny Design Makers Academy.

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO), in partnership with Kilkenny Design, have launched The Makers Academy, a business development programme designed to support ambitious local makers, designers and creative entrepreneurs in building sustainable and scalable businesses.

The initiative will provide selected participants with access to industry-leading expertise, mentoring, a business development bootcamp, support, and retail insights from some of Ireland’s most experienced retail and enterprise professionals.

Applications close Friday, the 26th of June (due Thursday at midnight).

For more information, contact your local LEO or visit this page on the LEO website – https://www.localenterprise.ie/news-and-events/local-enterprise-offices-kilkenny-design-launch-makers-academy.html

Their Instagram @officialkilkennydesign @local_enterprise_offices  @enterprise_ireland,

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.

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Of Interest: Galway Wool Co-op’s 6th Annual Meitheal – Co Galway

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Two sheep peering through a fence with text overlay announcing the 6th National Harvest of Irish Wool from Ireland's Native Breed called The Galway.

Save the Date: The Galway Wool Co-op will host their 6th National Harvest of Irish Wool from Ireland’s native sheep breed. This year, the Meitheal will be open to the public, and all are invited!

When: Saturday, the 18th of July, 10 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: Athenry Co-operative Livestock Mart, Prospect, Athenry, Co Galway, H65 DW74

More information about the Galway Wool Co-op on their website – https://galwaywool.ie/

Their Instagram @thegalwaywoolco_op

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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.

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Of Interest: Rialto Community Arts Festival – Co Dublin – This Week

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Promotional poster for the Rialto Community Arts Festival featuring vibrant colours and bold text. The event runs from June 18 to June 21 and includes music, drama, workshops, art, poetry, and feathers. The image shows a group of performers, including a woman in a feathered costume and musicians with guitars, on stage.
Event schedule for the Rialto Community Arts Festival happening from June 18 to 21, 2026, including dates, times, places, and activities for each day.

The third annual Rialto Community Arts Festival in Co Dublin is this week. The festival includes poetry, music, drama, talks, exhibitions and craft workshops.

Of particular interest:

  • A talk about Linen in the Liberties on Thursday morning.
  • Crochet and screen printing workshops at F2 Centre

Note: Some of the activities need to be booked.

When: Thursday, the 18th, through Sunday, the 21st of June

Where: At various locations in D08, Dublin, including the F2 Centre and the St Andrew’s Community Centre

For more information, visit their website – https://rialtocommunityarts.com/

Their Instagram @rialtocommunityartsfestival

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.