Category: News

Exhibitions: Members with Art Shows

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

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.

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

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
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.

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

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
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

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: Rialto Community Arts Festival – Co Dublin – This Week

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
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.

Of Interest: Vintage Sewing Machine Exhibition and Demonstration- Tallaght Library – Co Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Banner for a Vintage Sewing Machine Exhibition and Demonstration at Tallaght Library, featuring details about the event, including the date and time.

Come to Tallaght Library, in County Dublin, to explore a unique collection of vintage sewing machines, each with its own story and charm.

During the afternoon, there will be live demonstrations offering a closer look at how these machines were used.

Visitors will also have the chance to try out hand-crank sewing machines with the Library’s Mender in Residence, which is a lovely opportunity to slow down, learn something new, and connect with a traditional craft.

This is a relaxed, drop-in session, and everyone is very welcome. No booking required.

When: Saturday, the 13th of June, 12 PM – 3 PM

Where: South Dublin County Council, County Library, Parthalán Place, Tallaght, Dublin D24 TNP8

For more information, there is a Facebook post – https://www.facebook.com/SDCCLibrariesTallaght/posts/join-us-for-a-special-vintage-sewing-machine-exhibition-and-demonstration-here-a/1401627362011957/


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.

Of Interest: Restyle Dublin Sustainable Fashion Expo – 4th of July

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for Ireland's Sustainable Fashion Expo, featuring event details including date, location, and activities such as workshops, demonstrations, and a fashion show.

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

This will be a free public event, with a selection of individual workshops and activities available through ticket booking.

Expect a day of:

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

Their Instagram @restyle.ireland @rediscoveryctr

More information about their mission on the Environmental Forum website – https://environmentalforum.ie/restyle-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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Of Interest: Two Textile Trips with Nadia Rein

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Scenic view of mountains with rocky cliffs and a clear sky, featuring text about a cultural trip exploring felt and silk along the ancient Silk Road, from 19 September to 5 October.

Nadia Rein, who is the International Felmakers Association publicity officer, is organising two Textile Trips this year.

First, there is a ‘Felt & Culture Retreat in Kyrgyzstan‘, from the 4th to the 16th of July 2026, which may have a couple of spots available. Feltmakers Ireland guild member Jane Fox wrote about her fantastic experience on this trip in 2024 – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/29/of-interest-guild-members-create-news/

In the fall, there is a second, slightly different trip, ‘Felt, Silk, and the Ancient Road with Nadia‘, which runs from the 19th of September to the 5th of October. With this trip, one travels through three countries, starting in Kazakhstan, travelling through Kyrgyzstan and finishing off in Uzbekistan (after a visit to the Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan).  The emphasis will still be on textiles and felt, with fewer workshops than the journey in July.

For more information, visit Nadia’s website – https://www.nadiareindesign.com/felt_and_culture_retreats

Her Instagram @nadiareindesign

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 eve

Of Interest: The Role of Craft in Wellbeing Across Life Stages – Hosted by the European Crafts Alliance

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Graphic promoting the NEB Webinar 'The Role of Craft in Wellbeing Across Life Stages', hosted by the European Crafts Alliance on 10 June 2026, featuring an image of textured materials.

The European Craft Alliance, as part of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival 2026 Satellite Programme, presents an interactive webinar that bridges the gap between theory and real-world practice by exploring how craft functions as a powerful, cross-generational intervention for wellbeing.

It is hosting a webinar to explore how working with our hands actively supports public health and social cohesion. The event begins with a keynote from Dr Anne Kirketerp (Craft-Psychology®), who will share the psychological benefits of craft as a powerful cross-generational tool.

Following her introduction, a panel of experts will present three European case studies. 

Nicky Dewar (Crafts Council UK) will discuss building resilience in youth through hands-on education, 

Alex Finberg (Woodcrafters) will explore mindfulness and green social prescribing for adults, and 

Helena McAteer (Borris Lacemakers) will highlight how adapting historical lace-making promotes active ageing for seniors.

They will conclude with a live Q&A.

When: Wednesday, the 10th of June, from 11:00-12:30 Central European Time.

Free and open to all.

For more information, visit their website – https://europeancraftsalliance.org/neb-webinar-the-role-of-craft-in-wellbeing-across-life-stages/

Their Instagram: @eca.crafts

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.

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland at Bloom 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A group of people queuing at a market stall, surrounded by colourful bunting and a blue banner that reads 'Made Local - Made to Last'.
A craft fair stall featuring artisans demonstrating felt-making techniques. Several people are engaged in crafting at a long table adorned with colourful wool, handmade felt animals, and artwork displays.
A group of women engaged in a crafting activity at a table, using wool and colourful fibres. One woman in a floral shirt focuses on her work while another interacts with her. Others are visible in the background, with various crafting materials scattered across the table.
Two women engaged in a felting workshop at a craft fair, surrounded by colourful wool fibres and crafting tools. A mannequin displays a felt hat, and a sign for 'Feltmakers Ireland' is visible in the background.
Two women smiling and posing in a craft stall, one holding a sign that reads 'Created using Human Ingenuity'. A third woman sits at the stall in the background. The stall features colourful felt products and a banner for 'feltmakers ireland'.
A woman demonstrates a craft at a table, engaging with two participants, while colourful materials and a decorative backdrop are visible.
A group of women engaged in a crafting activity at a community event, with materials spread out on a blue table. One woman in a pink patterned dress and another in a blue shirt are working on a textile project, while a third woman assists behind them. Various handmade items are displayed on the table.

On Friday, the 29th, and Saturday, the 30th of May, a dozen volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland generously shared their love of the magic of feltmaking with the public at Bord Bia Bloom, an enormous, five-day festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, which focuses on gardening and sustainability.

As in previous years, we were located within the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s (DCCI) Irish Craft Village – in the special Demonstration Area – just like the Irish Woodturners’ Guild and the other GANS Guilds.

On the second day, we shared the space with our friends from Fibreshed Ireland. It was great to see them spinning, weaving, dyeing, and sharing insights into the sustainable, local wool and linen textiles of Ireland.

Fibreshed Ireland

A craft demonstration booth featuring two women. One woman is spinning wool on a traditional spinning wheel, while the other is arranging materials on a blue table with various craft items and a schedule of demonstrations in the background.
Malú Colorín and Frederique Knits
Two women standing in front of a blue backdrop displaying 'MADE LOCAL'. One is holding a weaving loom with colourful yarn, while the other stands beside a display of local crafts and materials.
Malú Colorín and Kathy Kirwin

Hands Busy at Work

A colourful striped towel spread out on a table, with three hands positioned on it and a red rubber object placed in the centre.
A person using bubble wrap to felt colourful wool pieces on a work table, surrounded by towels and a bowl.
Close-up of two tattooed hands resting on a white towel, showcasing various intricate black tattoos including patterns and symbols on the fingers.
A hands-on demonstration at a craft fair with participants engaging in an activity. Several hands are positioned near a bottle of window and glass cleaner, with petals and craft materials scattered on a table.
Two people engaged in a felting workshop, using their hands to shape colourful wool on a table covered with protective material.
A group of hands engaged in a crafting activity on a multi-coloured striped table. Various materials, including bubble wrap and a piece of felt, are being manipulated.
A person with gloved hands is handling brown plush toy animals, in a market stall setting with a wooden display board. Soft toys resembling bears peek from the top of the display.
Hands of guild member Tamzen Lundy, as she creates faux-taxidermy foxes

Our volunteers led children and adults in creating wet-felted balls, 3D flowers, and flat wool paintings. They also demonstrated more complex feltmaking activities.

Tamzen Lundy created several of her 3D faux-taxidermy foxes, and Irina Lampadova showed how to make felted wristlets using a unique template method.

Our Volunteers

A woman working on felted art pieces at a booth, with various tools and materials displayed on a table. The background features a promotional sign for local arts and workshops.
Tamzen
Two women engaged in a crafting activity at a table, with fabric and tools arranged. One woman is standing and appears to be helping the other, who is seated. In the background, others are participating in similar activities. The backdrop features promotional material for 'Made Local'.
Deidre and Siobhán
A woman in a white shirt is animatedly speaking while gesturing with her hands at a craft demonstration table, surrounded by colourful wool and handmade bowls.
Fiona
A woman demonstrating felt-making techniques at a craft fair, holding a piece of wool while explaining the process. She is wearing glasses and a flower accessory, with a colourful textile display in front of her.
Hélène
A group of people engaging in a crafting workshop, focusing on felt-making techniques. Participants are working on tables covered with protective material, while instructors demonstrate the process. Colourful felted items are visible on the table.
Hélène and Fiona
A woman smiling while working on felt-making at a craft event, with various materials and completed felt items on a table.
Irina
An elderly woman with short white hair, wearing a colourful floral shirt, is demonstrating a felting technique to two participants at a crafting event. Various colourful wool fibres are spread out on a table, and the backdrop features promotional materials for felt-making workshops and exhibitions.
Claire
Two women demonstrating felt-making at a craft event, with one speaking to an audience while wearing a unique hat and the other preparing materials.
Loli and Linda
Two women smiling together at a craft fair, one wearing a floral hat and green sweater, and the other in a blue cardigan and scarf, standing in front of a decorated table.
Loli and Juliane
Two women engaged in a felting workshop, with one woman demonstrating how to work with wool while the other observes closely. The backdrop features a promotional banner for local crafts.
Mary
A woman demonstrating a crafting technique at a table covered with white towels and various craft materials, engaging with another person.
Siobhán
A craft market display featuring handmade felt fox head decorations wearing glasses, alongside artwork prints and a vendor showcasing their products.
Tamzen

Many thanks to our members, who donated time from their busy Bank Holiday Weekend to share their love of felting with the visitors at Bloom. In addition to displaying their felted work, many wore felted items.

Many thanks to the DCCI for inviting us to be part of the Irish Craft Village, and to the event organisers, Geraldine and Catherine Gray, who ensured we had what we needed for the event.

Delighted Attendees

A smiling woman in a yellow jacket and pink top holds a decorative item while sitting at a table with a white cloth.
A woman holding a piece of felted fabric featuring a colourful flower design, set against a background of festival tents and bunting.
A woman with a black headband and floral top gestures while sitting at a table, displaying a felted wool artwork with a floral design. Other attendees are visible in the background.
An elderly woman smiling while holding a handmade felt bow tie with floral patterns, wearing a patterned pink shirt.

Videos

There are two Instagram Reels for each day of Feltmakers Ireland’s participation at the Irish Craft Village:


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.