Category: News

Of Interest: Book Launch for the ‘Native Irish Fibres Material Library’ – Sunday in Belfast; plus Fibreshed Ireland Symposium – Friday in Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for the Native Irish Fibres Material Library textiles sample book launch party at Carnegie Oldpark, featuring a hand-painted orange bookcase filled with colourful fibre samples.

Book Launch

The ‘Irish Native Fibres Material Library’ is a physical sample book featuring wool and linen grown on the island of Ireland. It was created by NCAD MA students Georgia Connolly, Alma O Donoghue, and Eva Kerley, in collaboration with Fibreshed Ireland, in order to assist Irish designers source home-grown fibres. As well as samples, the book contains information about Irish-grown linen and wool, and where to source them. Their aim is to inspire designers to use more local fibres in their work. They hope to build relationships and communities between designers and growers, and to create a thriving, ethical and sustainable textiles system in Ireland.

This Sunday is the Belfast launch party for the Materials Library.

“The first step in shortening textile value chains is helping makers understand what kind of raw materials are already available in their geographical area”, says Malú Colorín, co-founder of Fibreshed Ireland. “Many small and medium businesses around the island produce beautiful materials using homegrown fibres, so we want as many creatives as possible to know about these possibilities!”

Copies of the Material Library will be available for consultation in key locations, starting with the National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) in Dublin and Carnegie Oldpark in Belfast. In 2027, MA student Georgia Connolly, who is coordinating this project, hopes to bring copies of the Material Library to other locations in the west and south of the island.

Attendance is free, but booking is required to manage numbers. Attendees can register for a free ticket here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fibreshedireland/2509977


Organised by: Georgia Connolly, Carnegie Oldpark, Fibreshed Ireland & Cúpla Snáithe

Fibreshed Ireland Symposium – This Friday

Poster for Fibreshed Ireland’s fifth annual symposium, “Common Challenges, Interwoven Solutions”, on Friday 13 November 2026 at The Dublin Liberties Distillery.

About Fibreshed Ireland: Fibreshed Ireland is part of the global Fibershed movement, dedicated to developing regional fibre systems that build soil health, support rural livelihoods, and reduce dependence on fossil-fuel-based textiles. Through education, research, and collaboration, Fibreshed Ireland connects the people and processes that make up a thriving local textile economy — from soil to soil.

Fibreshed Ireland’s 5th annual symposium is this Friday in Dublin. There are a few tickets still available: https://fibreshedireland.ie/symposium-2026/

Instagram: @fibreshed_ireland @carnegieoldpark @georgia_makes_shapes @cuplasnaithe @ncad_circular.by.design

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

Of Interest: Felting Workshops by Members

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Several Feltmakers Ireland members run felting workshops. Below are a few offerings.

Belinda Reid and Sandra Marschall – Needle Felting Workshop – Co Galway

Christmas needle felting workshop poster featuring festive crafts, mince pies and workshop details for 15 November, 10am to 4pm at Gort Town Hall

Guild members Belinda Reid and Sandra Marschall will teach you how to make needle-felted Christmas ornaments.

Enjoy mince pies, mulled ‘wine’, fun and friendly Christmas vibes.


For more information and to book: https://www.chasingdreamsfeltart.com/book-studio-workshops

Their Instagram: @chasing_dreams_feltart_ @sandraotte1973

Felting Workshops with Jenni Kilgallon – Co Wicklow

Handmade Christmas wreath with felt gnome decoration and red bow

Guild member Jenni Kilgallon is teaching three Christmas-themed needle felting workshops this November.

Where: Bray, Co Wicklow.

For more information and to book: https://www.artistsgiftgallery.ie/category/workshops/

Her Instagram: @jensfairytales

Tamzen Lundy – Felted Fox Workshop – Co Kildare

Handmade brown bear puppet wearing round glasses and a colourful scarf

Guild member Tamzen Lundy‘s workshops for 2026 are fully booked, but she has some scheduled for the new year. Learn how to wet-felt your own friendly fox. This workshop is suitable for beginners; enjoy a creative two hours with all materials included.

When: Sunday, the 7th of Feb, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: GATHER – Kildare Design Store, Southwells Grocery Store, Market Square, Kildare, R51 CV61

For more information and to book: https://tamzenlundydesigns.ie/products/feb-7th-felt-a-fox

Her Instagram: @tamzenlundydesigns

Wet Felting Workshops with Karen Bowden – Co Galway

Fabulous Fibres workshop dates for January and February 2027, featuring felted handbags, hats, scarves, slippers and lampshades in Creggs, County Galway.

Guild member Karen Bowden has several wet felting workshops scheduled in the new year.

For more information and to book: https://fabulousfibres.com/in-person-workshops/

Her Instagram: @fabulous_fibres

Visit our Resources Page to see additional members who teach: https://feltmakersireland.com/community-resources/#members-who-teach-feltmaking

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.

News: 3 Members Showing at Art Source – RDS Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for Art Source 2026, featuring bright yellow and pink colours, with the text 'Art Source' prominently displayed. Event details include 'RDS Dublin' and the dates '13-15 Nov 2026', along with the website 'www.artsource.ie'.

Amongst the hundreds of artists showing at Art Source RDS, three Feltmakers Ireland members will display their work at the upcoming art fair.

  • Heather Byrne – J61
  • Lucia Errity – J118
  • Joanne Foley Art – J110

When: Friday, the 13th of November, 11 AM – 9 PM; Saturday, the 14th, 10 AM – 6 PM; and Sunday, the 15th, 10 AM- 6 PM.

Where: RDS, Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

For more information, visit the Art Source website: https://www.artsource.ie/

Their Instagram: @artsourcerds @ @luciaerrityart @joannefoleyart @wildflowerdesigns_ireland

Apologies if you are a member and were missed. To be included in future members’ news, please contact us: 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.

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.

Event: From Soil to Spindle – The Journey of Irish Wool – 7 November – Castlebar, Co Mayo

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for a workshop titled 'From Soil to Spindle: The Journey of Irish Wool', featuring images of sheep, wool, and a wooden drop spindle, detailing event information and activities.

Ever wondered how wool gets from a sheep in the field to a beautiful ball of yarn? Here’s your chance to find out and get hands-on with the process!

Join Anna Doyle and Annie Gambrill at The Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, for a fascinating, fun workshop exploring the journey of Irish wool from the land to the finished yarn.

Discover the connection between farming, the land and the quality of wool.

Learn traditional wool-spinning skills.

Make your very own drop spindle.

Spin your own yarn to take home!

Along the way, you’ll discover how age-old crafts and sustainable practices can work hand in hand to create a more circular future.

Whether you’re a craft enthusiast, passionate about sustainability or simply love trying something new, this is a lovely opportunity to get creative, learn new skills and connect with Ireland’s rich wool heritage.

When: Saturday the 7th of November, 11 AM – 4 PM
Where: The Linenhall, Linenhall St, Knockthomas, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 AN24

FREE – Lunch included!

Places are limited, and booking is essential!

For more information or to book a place, visit their website, https://www.thelinenhall.com or call their box office on 094 902 3733

Their Instagram: @thelinenhall_castlebar @gambrill.and.lam @anna_trevaskis


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: Dublin Maker – Secret Santa Gift Exchange

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Dublin Maker Secret Santa 2026 event graphic featuring a festive green background with gift icons. The text invites participants to give and receive homemade gifts from makers, artists, and crafters in Ireland, encouraging creativity and handmade items.
Promotional poster for the Maker Secret Santa 2026 event in Dublin, featuring instructions on how to participate, examples of homemade gifts, and a QR code for sign-up.

Dublin Maker is hosting its second annual Secret Santa Gift Exchange. You can make anything that suits your style and skills: 3D-printed games, puzzles, decorations, garments, or whatever you can think of. All makers are welcome, from beginner to professional.

Sign up by the 1st of November. Once you sign up, they will “send you a little snapshot of your match’s likes and dislikes. Nothing too detailed – just enough to spark an idea”.

For more information, visit their website: https://dublinmaker.ie/santa/

Their Instagram: @dublinmaker

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.

Open Call: Golden Fleece Award for 2027 – Applications Now Open

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Graphic promoting the Golden Fleece Award 2027, featuring a collage of artistic works and the award title in bold typography.

The Golden Fleece Award was founded in 2001 through a bequest by Irish artist and weaving educator, Lillias Mitchell (1915-2000). She created our friend organisation, the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers. The Golden Fleece Award aims to provide resources for practising contemporary visual artists and makers to innovate and develop their artistic vision.

The annual award supports artists working in all forms of visual, craft and applied arts at critical junctures of their careers. Applicants should reside in, or originally be from, the island of Ireland.

In 2027, an award of €10,000 will be made in each of the two categories: Visual Art and Craft + Applied Art. Shortlisted artists will also receive an award, with the amount to be confirmed.:

  • Category 1: Visual Art
  • Category 2: Craft + Applied Art

Although the Award is open equally to creative practitioners working in all forms of visual, craft, and applied arts across the two categories, most applications for the Golden Fleece Award have historically been submitted by visual artists. While the Award Trustees welcome these, they also want to keep encouraging applications to Category 2 from craftspeople, designers and makers.

For 2026, just over 240 applications were received for the 2026 Award.

  • 172 for Category 1: Visual Art and 69 for Category 2: Craft + Applied Art.

For 2025, just under 290 applications were received for the 2025 Award.

  • 165 for Category 1: Visual Art and 122 for Category 2: Craft + Applied Art.

For 2024, just over 240 applications were received for the Award.

  • 197 for Category 1: Visual Art and <only> 45 for Category 2: Craft + Applied Art! 

Note: The number of applicants is much smaller than that for the Arts Council of Ireland’s Agility award. According to the Arts Council’s Twitter/X, “We received a record number of 3,279 applications for our 2024 Agility Award”.

Since its inception in 2002, over one hundred applicants have been shortlisted for or received a Golden Fleece Award. It is inspiring and educational to read these previous submissions: https://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/artists

For example, here is a link to the submission of 2024 shortlisted artist and tapestry weaver, Frances Crowe:  https://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/artists/frances-crowe

And here is a link to the submission of 2026 Merit Award winner textile artist Róisín Pierce: https://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/artists/r%C3%B3is%C3%ADn-pierce-2

So, feltmakers and other textile folks in Ireland, please apply for the award!

Deadline: Friday, the 11th of December, 2026, at 5 PM.

For full details and to apply, visit their website: https://www.goldenfleeceaward.com/award/about

Their Instagram: @goldenfleeceaward

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: Fibreshed Ireland’s Symposium – Common Challenges, Interwoven Solutions

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional graphic for Fibreshed Ireland’s fifth annual symposium titled 'Common Challenges, Interwoven Solutions', featuring a hand working on a weaving project, with details about the event date, time, and location.

For its 5th annual symposium, Fibreshed Ireland will bring together farmers, processors, designers, makers, researchers, and consumers from around the island and beyond to offer solutions for the challenges of shortening value chains in the European textile industry.

Presentations, panel discussions, and interactive conversations with:

  • Alberte Holmø Bojesen — Copenhagen-based textile and material designer and researcher
  • Babette Leertouwer — Dutch textile artist and founder of Halona
  • Sabina Diaconu — Romanian textile artist, embroiderer and collector
  • Alison Nea — award-winning Irish textile artist and founder of Modh
  • Cathy Coughlan — co-founder of award-winning Celtic Tweed
  • Eva Kerley and Georgia Connolly — designers and researchers working at the intersection of textiles, material culture and circular design
  • Frederique van Buuren — textile maker with a passion for wool, knitting, spinning and education
  • Kathy Kirwan — eco-social artist, educator, flax enthusiast, and founder of Flax Lín
  • Thomas “Rusty” Weise — textile maker and lacemaker
  • Yamila Fournier & Niamh FitzGerald — exploring the surprising connections between birds, nest-building, architecture and human textile traditions

When: Friday, the 13th of November, 10 AM – 6 PM

Where: The Dublin Liberties Distillery, 33 Mill St, The Liberties, Dublin, D08 V221

For more information, visit their website: https://fibreshedireland.ie/symposium-2026/#learn-more

Their Instagram: @fibreshed_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.

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.

Education: Sheep Shearing Courses – Co Kerry – July 2027

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional image for a Beginner Sheep Shearing Course at Robbie Hislop Shearing School, featuring a man smiling in front of sheep and a building, with details including dates (19 to 21 July 2027), location (County Kerry, Ireland), and information about free accommodation.
Promotional image for Robbie Hislop Shearing School featuring a shearer in action, with text about an Intermediate and Advanced Shearing Course taking place from 22 to 24 July 2027 in County Kerry, Ireland, including free accommodation.

Two sheep shearing courses offer students a few wonderful days of hands-on learning, traditional skills, and sheep shearing with Robbie Hislop and Anna Wolfe.

Whether you’re picking up the shears for the first time or looking to refine your technique, they have a course for you.

Choose your 3-day course:

Beginner Sheep Shearing Course
When: 19–21 July 2027

Intermediate & Advanced Sheep Shearing Course
When: 22–24 July 2027

Where: Curraghmore Farm, Curragh More, Blackvalley, Co. Kerry, V93 TR77

Come for the skills, stay for the scenery, and experience the craft of sheep shearing in one of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes.

For more information, visit these links:

https://shearingschool.co.uk/product/beginner-sheep-shearing-course-county-kerry-ireland-19-21-july-2027/

https://shearingschool.co.uk/product/intermediate-advanced-sheep-shearing-course-county-kerry-22-24-july-2027/

The Shearing School website also offers other sheep shearing courses in other locations.

Their Instagram: @curraghmorefarm.ie @wolfpackdogsquad @robbie_hislop @wise_wool_project

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: Archiving for Artists Workshop – Galway

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for a workshop hosted by the National Irish Visual Arts Library, featuring the title 'Toolkit for Artists' Archiving'. The event will take place at 126 Artist Run Gallery in Galway on Thursday, October 29, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Free tickets are available but booking is essential.

In collaboration with the 126 Artist-run Gallery, the National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) will lead an afternoon workshop to talk through the new Toolkit for Artists’ Archiving. The workshop will cover the steps of self-documentation as laid out in the toolkit’s chapters and how to best use the toolkit to build your own archive.

The session is suitable for beginners and anyone interested in tracking their work or learning more about how to collect, choose, organise, and preserve their documents. The workshop will not address how to archive artwork.

Free tickets, but booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/toolkit-workshop-126-artist-run-gallery-galway-tickets-1999390165808?aff

If you are unable to attend the workshop, there is a free downloadable toolkit on NIVAL’s website: https://www.nival.ie/resources/toolkit-for-artists-archiving/

Their Instagram: @nival_ncad @126gallery.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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Sunday Session

This Sunday: Mel Bradley’s Textile Journey – Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A woman with short grey hair and glasses stands in an art studio holding a mug and paintbrushes, surrounded by various art supplies and materials. The text overlay promotes 'Mel Bradley’s Textile Journey', an event happening on 18th October at CIE Sports Hall, Inchicore, Dublin.

Longtime Feltmakers Ireland guild member, textile artist Mel Bradley, will share her Textile Journey on Sunday, the 18th of October. Mel creates her work and runs workshops out of her studio, Gallery 13, which is in the Millmount Craft Quarter in Drogheda, Co Louth.

Mel paints silk scarves, wraps, and cowls; she also creates Nunofelted wearables. Recent workshops have included Gelli Plate Printing, Shibori Dyeing with Indigo, and Silk Painting.

When: Sunday, the 18th of October, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM

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

More on Mel

To view Mel’s work and workshops, visit her website: https://melbradleysilks.ie/

Her Instagram: @mel.bradley.silks

Some images from her website:

An elderly woman with short grey hair, wearing glasses and a red top, holds up a piece of blue fabric in a creative workspace. She is surrounded by various pieces of dyed fabric on a table and a wall filled with art and inspirational images. A woman is seated in the background, observing.
An elegant evening gown with a dramatic pink and black design, featuring a flowing cape detail.
A hallway featuring a light blue door with various patterned textiles draped over the stairs and walls, accompanied by a piece of artwork and a decorative branch.
Close-up of a blue and green scarf tied in a decorative bow around the neck, with soft fabric and subtle colour gradients.

Additional Information

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

To reduce the spread of illnesses, please refrain from coming if you feel unwell.

Zoom Access

We will share a Zoom link to the session on Friday afternoon, the 16th.


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.