Image of Presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh and owner Zoë Daly.
In the second of three programs, Nationwide explores Ireland’s wool sector – delving into its rich heritage, current challenges, and future possibilities. Today’s episode will be about Ériu, a ‘Farm to Yarn’ company, based in County Wicklow.
Presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh visits Ériu’s farm to talk about their mission to revive Ireland’s wool industry. From caring for their sheep to handcrafting every garment, Ériu creates 100% Irish wool yarn and garments, all while truly caring and supporting a community of local farmers through their Farm to Yarn network.
For more information about the company, visit their website – https://eriu.eu/
Ériu’s Traceability Page is fascinating because it shows the two types of wool that they use (Emerald Romney and Bluefaced Leicester), and the actual farmers who raise the sheep which provide the wool – https://eriu.eu/pages/traceability
Ériu will soon offer Irish-raised wool tops, dyed and natural, in addition to their yarn and knitted items. Stay tuned – we will share this exciting development with the felting community when it happens. According to our book, ‘Exploring Irish wool for Feltmaking’, both fibres are good for wet felting, and the Romney is suitable for needle felting.
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.
On Saturday, the 22nd of November 2025, Feltmakers Ireland had the privilege of taking part in Fibreshed Ireland‘s first Textile Market, which was part of their annual Symposium held the day before.
Fibershed is a global movement that evolved from Rebecca Burgess and Courtney White’s 2019 book,‘Fibreshed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy.’ Weaver and natural dyer Burgess developed a project focused on wearing clothing made from fibre grown, woven, and sewn within her bioregion of North Central California. In Ireland, our fibreshed encompasses the whole island. The Fibershed movement champions local, regenerative fibre systems—connecting soil, plants, animals, and humans through transparent supply chains and bioregional textile practices.
At the Textile Market, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland set up a lively demonstration station where visitors could watch both wet felting and needle felting techniques. We talked passionately about the guild’s mission to keep traditional feltmaking skills alive, to celebrate Irish wool in all its glorious variety, and to foster creativity and community through this extraordinarily versatile material.
A special highlight was the chance to promote our beautiful book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’. Copies were available for sale alongside an array of handmade treasures: wet-felted vessels, pocket books and bags, bookmarks, greeting cards, whimsical wool pumpkins, and gnomes—every single piece made exclusively with Irish wool from a rainbow of native sheep breeds.
Visitors loved getting hands-on: touching fleece samples from rare and heritage breeds, feeling the different textures, and discovering how dramatically each type of wool felts. Our display of members’ artwork—landscape wall pieces, sculptures and wearable art—showed just how far this simple fibre can be pushed in skilled and imaginative hands.
A thank-you to the Fibreshed Ireland team for inviting us and for creating such a warm, inspiring event. We’re especially grateful to our own guild members, Margaret and Clodagh, who gave their time so generously and demonstrated with enthusiasm. Additionally, it was also a joy to spend the day alongside our fellow artisans who spin, naturally dye and process Irish wool with equal love and dedication. Vendors included guild members Katarina of WoolStore Ireland, who shared her beautifully processed Irish wool fibre and Juliane of FeltHappiness, who shared her sculptural hats.
Closeup of Woolstore Ireland tableJuliane at her tableFeltmakers Ireland members at the Textile Market. From left to right: Juliane, Loli, Margaret, Sam, and Katarina.
Gallery of Photos
Aga + Katja (plus, Anne O’Toole on the far right) at Sound of SpinningPetra Skyvova and friendLinda Costello offered info on business suports available to fibre creatives and farmers.Charlie of Mallon Linen, Malu Colorin -co founder of Fibreshed Ireland, and Anne O’TooleMalu and Anne O’Toole of KnitAranJessica Leonard – co founder of Fibreshed Ireland with the Soil Your Scarf displayClose up of Mallon Linen’s display
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.
The Galway Wool Co-op will be featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide this Monday, the 24th of November at 19:00 (7 PM).
Learn about the story of Ireland’s native wool, the community, and the wool growers behind it. Galway wool is one of the few native Irish wools, so it is fantastic that it will be in the spotlight.
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.
If you have questions, please contact Belinda at chasingdreamsfeltart@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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.
Restyle Cork will be the city’s first sustainable fashion expo, featuring Workshops, Panels, Fashion Show, Exhibitions, Demonstrations, Swap Shop, and Pop-ups.
ReStyle will be an all-day event that will incorporate the following:
Workshops
Demonstrations
Exhibitions
Clothes Swapping
Stalls/Vendors/Pop-Ups
Repair Cafe
Panel Discussions
A Fashion Show
Giving people the skills and inspiration they need to start being more conscious about sustainable fashion.
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.
Editor’s Note: Earlier in the autumn, the Knit + Stitch organisers donated three pairs of Giveaway tickets to our followers. The recipients did not need to write a blog post, but we genuinely appreciate that longtime member Breda Fay has written one for us!
By Breda Fay
Thank you, Feltmakers Ireland, for the prize of two tickets to Knit & Stitch. I combined the visit with a two-night stay in Moira, County Down.
I was barely in the door of the Eikon Exhibition Centre when I met two of our guild members, Helene and Annika – it was lovely to share a coffee and a chat to catch up on our busy lives. Coincidentally, we had chosen the same workshop.
It was surprising that there was so little about feltmaking. Sandra Coote from Crafts of Ireland seemed to be the only one flying the flag for felt with her lovely display of needlefelting. Feltmakers Ireland always had a stand when Knit + Stitch was at the RDS in Dublin*.
However, it was still very easy to spend money, and I came away with ribbons, threads, fabric, and some books on quilts and the gallery artists.
Quilt Displays
Craftivism for Palestine QuiltSEFF Memorial Quilts
I found the two quilt displays very emotive- The Craftivism for Palestine Quilt project, a 32-country project to raise awareness of the death of children in Gaza, and the SEFF Memorial Quilts display commemorating death in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
Textile Galleries
There were only three textile art galleries this year:
Each one was inspiring, and each artist was available to discuss her works and inspiration.
The Live Stage provided demos and talks throughout the days. I just needed a sit-down and was lucky enough to hear Anouk O’Connell of Ollanmor speak about Landscape Weaving.
I enjoyed my two days away, spent more money than I intended, but had the opportunity to try some new crafts.
From the editor: Thank you, Breda, for sharing your experiences at the Knit + Stitch Show in Lisburn, United Kingdom. It is wonderful to experience a taste of the show!
* Editor’s Note: Last year, when the event took place in Belfast, Feltmakers Ireland, Feltmakers North, and the International Feltmakers Association staffed a booth generously provided by Knit + Stitch. Because coordinating the staffing was a significant undertaking for our organiser, Jane Fox—who is a member of all three guilds—we decided not to take on a similar commitment for the 2025 show. But we can certainly think about participating next year.
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.
Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt Designs will be vending at the Meath Made Creates at Christmas at the Swift Cultural Centre, from Friday, the 28th, to Sunday, the 30th of November.
If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and have upcoming craft fairs, exhibitions or events, please get in contact with us at 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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
The Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is delighted to announce the third year of the David Shaw-Smith Legacy Award.
This award was developed by DCCI to honour the legacy of David Shaw-Smith, the legendary Irish filmmaker. It has been created to recognise that Irish craft is driven by heritage and creativity. It will support and acknowledge the achievements of key master craftspeople in the creative development of their craft.
Eligibility criteria –
Be registered with DCCI for 5 years or more
Be aged 50 or older
Not have previously received a DCCI bursary·
The deadline for applying is the 29th of November, 2025.
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.
Caitríona Nolan‘s hand-felted and needle-felted piece will be on display at Esker Arts Centre, with the official opening this Saturday, 15th November. Curated by Geraldine Ó Reilly, artist/painter.
Elaine Peden will be part of Moving Signatures, a unique intergenerational dance performance in response to the IMMA‘s Permanent Collection exhibition. Meeting point, main reception.
When: Sunday, the 16th of November, with performances at 12:15, 1, and 1:45 PM.
If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and have upcoming craft fairs, exhibitions or events, please get in contact with us at 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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.
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.
Feltmakers Ireland 