Category: Wool

Education: Wool Workshops before European Wool Day – Fibreshed Ireland

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional image for European Wool Day featuring wool workshops, showcases of wool products, and event details for Tralee, Ireland on 28 March 2026.

To get ready for European Wool Day, which will take place on the 28th of March in Tralee, Co Kerry, Fibreshed Ireland has organised a series of subsidised wool-related workshops around the island.

Workshops include the following:

  • From Farm to Fibre: the cycle of sheep’s wool production from birth to yarn, taught by Feltmakers Ireland member Christine Jordan of @roughcirclestudio, 7th of March, Co Carlow
  • Not just a Granny Square, 7th of March, Co Kerry
  • Aran Knitting Workshop, 8th of March, Co Galway
  • From Fleece to Fibre, 14th of March, Co Laois
  • Mindful Weaving Workshop, 14th of March, Co Dublin
  • Adapting Knitting Patterns for a Better Fit and Creative Changes, 14th of March, Co Dublin
  • Wool Spinning Workshop, 22nd of March, Co Antrim
  • Threads of Belonging: A day of Weaving, Connection and Care, 22nd of March, Co Waterford

The workshops have been made possible with support from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

For more information and to register, visit the Fibreshed Ireland website – https://fibreshedireland.ie/get-ready-for-european-wool-day-2026/

Their Instagram: @fibreshed_ireland

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Of Interest: Irish Wool Almanac – Be Included

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A promotional image inviting contributions to the Irish Wool Almanac, featuring two sheep walking on a grassy path.

To celebrate European Wool Day and Women in Agriculture 2026, Future Island-Island is producing an Irish Grown Wool Almanac.

This will be a printed and digital directory celebrating the people and organisations shaping the wool landscape in the island of Ireland, and the journey from farm to fibre to finished work.

The almanac will be funded and published by Future Island-Island, an AHRC Green Transition Ecosystem research programme, in partnership with the Irish Grown Wool Council.

It will be distributed at the European Wool Day 2026 Conference in Tralee next month and shared online as part of Future Island-Island’s wider programme of activity.

To submit your listing, use the online form linked below. You will be prompted to share what you do, highlights of your contribution, and why Irish wool matters. There’s also a request for up to 3 high-quality images, plus your logo with captions and credits.

They aim to include as many listings as possible. If they receive more submissions than can fit in the printed almanac, they will select entries to ensure a balanced spread across both regions and the wool journey.

Deadline: 12 PM on Monday, the 16th February 2026.

To submit your information, use this online form – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=h5QLb6hPqEKutL8uLCLU6ND3XSPTeK9Nr6Cw1hutJWdUQzEzVDQwVE5WWU45WU9UUVlaVENEVjE4Ny4u

Their Instagram @futureislandisland

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Education: Heritage Sheep Farming and the Business of Irish Wool – with Blátnaid Gallagher and Jean Long – Ballymaloe Cookery School – Co Cork

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
A close-up of yarn balls in various shades, including red and pink, alongside a knitted garment on a checkered tablecloth, with a 'Farm School Course' button featured.

The Ballymaloe Cookery School has a one-day, in-person course on Heritage Sheep Farming and the Business of Irish Wool.

From the website – “The majority of Irish sweaters are not made with Irish wool, they are just knitted in Ireland- a fact which many people are unaware of. The reason for this is more complex than you may expect; both Blátnaid Gallagher, Founder of the Galway Wool Coop, and Jean Long, Master Hand Knitter, have made it their business to understand why and advocate for a change.

This 1-day course will unpack this issue and invite you to learn from and respect what farmers like Blatnaid and craftspeople like Jean are doing in the restoration of heritage breeds like Galway Sheep and in creating demand within the business of Irish Wool.”

In addition, there will be the following:

  • Tour of the organic farm, gardens and greenhouses
  • Hands-on learning through working with Irish Wool and learning the forgotten skill of hand knitting 

When: Tuesday, the 3rd of March, 9:30 AM – 5 PM.

Where: Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry North, Co Cork, P25 R274

For more information and to register, visit the website – https://www.ballymaloecookeryschool.ie/courses/the-business-and-beauty-of-irish-wool

@thegalwaywoolco_op @jeanmlong

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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: Video about Cleaning and Spinning Cladoir Fleece – Sandra King of Irish Fibre Crafters

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Close-up image of a Cladior sheep with a thick, woolly coat, taken at Connemara National Park. The sheep is facing slightly to the left, showcasing its distinctive features in a natural setting.

While this video from Zwartbles Ireland-Suzanna Crampton is from two years ago, it may still be of interest to those interested in Irish-raised sheep and wool. See Cladoir sheep being sheared at a festival in Connemara National Park, and their wool spun in the raw by Sandra King of Irish Fibre Crafters and other spinners.

To watch the video, visit YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSLHo3sYT9E

More information on Cladoir Sheep at the Irish Native Rare Breeds Society website – https://inrbs.ie/cladoir-sheep/

The Irish Fibre Crafters website – https://www.irishfibrecrafters.com/

Instagram links – @irishfibrecrafters @zwartblesireland

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: Cecilia Vicuña Exhibition at IMMA – Galway Wool via Woolstore Ireland

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Poster from IMMA for Cecilia Vicuña exhibition

Cecilia Vicuña‘s solo exhibition, ‘Reverse Migration: A Poetic Journey’, is the first show in Ireland by the renowned artist, poet and activist. For this exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Vicuña delves into themes of ancestry, ecological urgency, and the interconnectedness of humanity, inspired by the discovery of her ancient ties to Ireland.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Katarina Hruskova, of WoolStore Ireland, assisted the artist in preparing the wool used in the creation of the installation, titled ‘Aran Quipu’.

Placard from the gallery wall.

Photos of the Piece, ‘Aran Quipu’

In her Co Galway workshop, Katarina washed and carded 50 kilograms of wool, which she purchased from the Galway Wool Co-op at their annual Meitheal. Then she needle-felted the clean fibre by hand into 50 strips, each 5.5 metres long. As Cecilia Vicuña wanted the strips to be very fluffy, hand needle felting was the method. Altogether, it came to 275 metres of Galway wool. The entire process from start (washing) to finish took Katarina 6-7 weeks to complete.

The Galway Wool, after being cleaned and carded

Needle Felting

The wool fibres were then needle felted.
Further along, with more fibres added in.
Loading the trailer with the felted wool.
More wool.
Unloading at IMMA

At IMMA, the long strips were then mounted, with assistance from other Irish artists, in a large hall.

Katarina Hruskova and artist Cecilia Vicuña at the opening
Katarina and her partner Keith

Katarina said that at the opening, visitors were encouraged to walk between the strips. Editor’s Note: On a recent visit, a museum attendant encouraged attendees to touch a sample of needle-felted Galway Wool.

In addition to the installation incorporating Irish wool, the exhibition includes other installations featuring natural materials such as plants and shells, along with paintings, drawings, and sound art by Vicuña.

The exhibition runs until the 5th of July, 2026.

Where: IMMA, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 FW31

For more information about Cecilia Vicuna’s exhibition, visit the IMMA’s website – https://imma.ie/whats-on/cecilia-vicuna/

Katarina has a display showing the stages of wool processing.

To purchase cleaned and carded Galway wool fibre (and those from other Irish-raised breeds), visit Katarina’s website – https://www.woolstore.ie/

Katarina’s Instagram: @woolstoreireland

Of Interest: Wool March in Tilburg, Netherlands – the 20th of December

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On Saturday, the 20th of December at noon, there will be a Wool March in Tilburg, Netherlands.

The Wool March is a growing movement that supports shepherding and the revaluing of wool by literally walking together. Each year, the organisers lead a march in which local shepherds guide their flocks—along with members of the public—to and from pasture. Past editions have been held in Tilburg, The Netherlands, and have been generously hosted by the TextielMuseum, which is an inspiring destination in itself. https://www.textielmuseum.nl/

Participants and supporters of the Wool March come from all walks of life, including farmers, felters, and fashion designers, as well as politicians, breeders, and biologists.

There will also be a Wool March to the European Parliament in September 2026. The group is selling ‘Wool Activist Kits’ that include felting instructions and raw Kempische Heideschaap fibre from sheep that graze the Dutch coastal dunes. These kits are to create a blanket to be worn (or sent) to the Brussels Wool March – https://www.woolmarch.com/wool-activist-kit

For more information and to register for the Wool March in December, visit the Wool March website – https://www.woolmarch.com/lets-walk/wool-march-tilburg-2025

Their Instagram: @woolmarch


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: Irish Wool Series on Nationwide – 3rd Programme – Member Karena Ryan Featured

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Karena Ryan during the filming at the Galway Wool Co-op’s Meitheal at Athenry, Co Galway

The third and final episode about Irish Wool is available on Nationwide via the RTÉ Player. Feltmakers Ireland guild member Karena Ryan is featured in the second section, just after the break.


Monday, 24th November: https://lnkd.in/eE-84Kce

Wednesday, 26th November: https://lnkd.in/eXJUYEJV

Friday, 28th November: https://lnkd.in/e2kZR5Uk

A piece by guild member @tamzenlundydesigns can be spotted in the section intro:


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: A New Fleece for Life – Presentation – TONIGHT – Co Wicklow

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Weaving Wicklow’s Sheep Wool Heritage into a Sustainable Future.

Join Wicklow Uplands Council for an audio-visual presentation and discussion exploring how Wicklow’s wool heritage can help shape a more sustainable future.

Hear insights from a National Parks & Wildlife Service Conservation Ranger and from Pat Byrne (Circular BioEconomy expert) as they look at how heritage, ecology, and innovation can work together to strengthen Ireland’s wool industry — and influence policy for real change.

Guild member Sharon Wells will be there with some of her recent community-felted sculptures.

Come join the discussion.

Free event — all welcome! But please register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/weaving-wicklows-sheep-wool-heritage-into-a-sustainable-future-tickets-1856519783649?aff=oddtdtcreator

Their Instagram: @wicklowuplands

Editor’s Note: Apologies for the last-minute announcement; we only learned about the event yesterday.

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.

Event: Fibreshed Ireland Symposium 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On Friday, 21st November, Fibreshed Ireland will gather at The Richmond Education and Event Centre, Smithfield, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM to hear from a diverse range of growers and practitioners who work in line with Soil-to-Soil principles of circularity, compostability, and agroecology.

They are the following:

  • Jennifer & Tristan Lienhard of @appleoakfibreworks
  • Katarina Hruskova of @woolstoreireland (Katarina is a member of Feltmakers Ireland)
  • @kathykirwan_theartofnature of the Flax 405 project
  • Mary Ann Williams, editor of @textilesofireland
  • Michelle McCabe, researcher exploring the connections between textile craft and wellbeing with ATU Sligo
  • @ryankoenigstudio — 16th-century textile archaeology
  • Sarah Babiker — Threads of Story: Woolcraft a Language & Memory between Ireland and the Arab World

On Saturday, there will be an open day of craft demonstrations, workshops, shopping opportunities, and community building at Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. Admission to the demonstrations and shopping is free, but each workshop will be ticketed.

  • Upcycling workshop with Eimear Greaney (@upsew.ie), from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Aran knitting with @ryankoenigstudio, from 10 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Weaving Circle with Lucy Hyland (@ourselfcarerevolution), from 1 to 3 PM
  • Movement session for crafters with @aideen.macken, from 3:30 – 4:10 (FREE, with optional donations to support Fibreshed Ireland’s work)


Dublin (different venues each day)
Optional social dinner in @fidelitydublin on Friday, the 22nd of November (book at checkout)

Discounts for students and Fibreshed Ireland members!

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit their website – https://fibreshedireland.ie/symposium-2025/

This event is part of Irish Design Week, partly funded by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland. https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/irish-design-week-2025/

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: Research on Irish Wool

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Neither of these articles is new, but it is interesting to see how scientists and students are researching ways to utilise and process Irish wool so that it does not continue to be a waste product.

Regenerative Value Systems for Irish Grown Wool in Ireland (REVEIRE) Funded

University College of Cork announced that researcher Dr Archishman Bose’s three-year project, Regenerative Value Systems for Irish Grown Wool in Ireland (REVEIRE), received funding of €657,403.  

The project will conduct a comprehensive sustainability assessment of Irish-grown wool, including the value created by a scouring facility within Ireland.

“Irish wool, typically characterised as ‘strong wool’, can have wide applications in textiles, packaging, environmental, and high-value materials. This project, by undertaking a comprehensive sustainability assessment of Irish grown wool, will provide data and evidence to inform Government policies, initiatives and investments required for regenerating the Irish grown wool industry for a sustainable circular bioeconomy.”

Information about Dr Bose’s research is towards the bottom of the page – https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/2025/ucc-researchers-awarded-23m-for-new-research-to-address-climate-and-environmental-challenges.html

For more information and an interview with Dr Bose, there is the interesting article in Farmers’ Journal – https://www.farmersjournal.ie/new-project-to-examine-irish-wool-and-scouring-860269

Student Research

In January, Transition Year students from Co Sligo were awarded for their research on how sheep wool can be used in the concrete industry as a strengthening material.

Typically, polypropylene is used to prevent cracks in concrete; however, the students discovered that concrete mixed with wool surpassed polypropylene in both durability and strength.

Their project was inspired by the students’ experiences of not being able to sell wool from their family farm. Aoife Fadian states, “It is selling at about 10c/kg, even if it’s selling at all. Farmers all around Ireland are really struggling with what to do with it.”

To read about their inspiring project, visit this page on the Agriland website – https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/sligo-students-to-take-sheep-wool-and-concrete-project-large-scale/


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.