Tag: August Craft Month

RECAP – Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day – Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Deirdre Carroll

Recap - August Craft Month - Feltmakers Ireland

On a bright sunny day in Dublin, Feltmakers Ireland members held an ‘Introduction to Wet Felting Workshop’ at the CIE Sports and Social Hall in Inchicore on Sunday, the 17th of August. Our event was part of August Craft Month, and also part of National Heritage Week, which runs from August 16th to 24th.

The aim of our event was to introduce participants to the art of wet felting and provide hands-on experience in creating a felted vessel. The skills gained included an understanding of the felting process, tactile engagement, creative confidence, and the joy of having fun.

Selecting fibre
Laying out the wool
Student felting

Two sessions were held, with 12 participants attending the first session from 11 AM to 1 PM and 8 participants attending the second session from 1 PM to 3 PM. All participants were provided with wool and the equipment needed to felt a vessel using a choice of colours. Guild member Annika Berglund gave a demonstration on starting the process before the participants went to their positions, where they were assisted in completing the process by members of Feltmakers Ireland.

Annika demonstrating
Annika wetting the fibre
Annika rolling the felt

Photos of the students felting away.

In addition to the hands-on wet felting workshop, guild member Margaret Ryan Collins shared about Irish wool. She demonstrated how to card wool from Irish sheep’s fleece, showing that the wool could be used for felting or knitting. A few years ago, Feltmakers Ireland successfully self-published a book on felting with Irish wool, titled ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking.’ This book is available for purchase on our website – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/

As part of our Open Day, we showcased the sample board from our research on Irish Wool. It shows how specific breeds of sheep’s wool can be needle-felted and wet-felted.

Samples wet felted and needle felted from the sheep breeds tested for our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

Guild member Eva Salamon demonstrated how to needle-felt her fantasy figures. Hilary shared some of her works-in-progress.

Hillary and Eva
Eva

Several members displayed their felted creations.

Annika, Irina, Marie, and Elizabeth demonstrated and helped participants to create wet-felted vessels. The verbal feedback from the participants was very positive, and each person left with a completed vessel.

Annika and some of the students share their felted vessels.

Isha from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and photographer Sasko arrived to view the workshop. They were very interested in the various pieces on display and the processes demonstrated by the members.

In conclusion, Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day successfully engaged participants in the creative process of wet felting, enabling them to express their artistic side. It was a great day and a great success.

Adrienne and Deirdre welcoming students

Thanks to the members of Feltmakers Ireland who helped on the day. Thank you to Sam Fagan and Margaret for the photographs. Additional appreciation to Sam, Annika, and Lorna, who organised a very successful event. Feltmakers Ireland is grateful for the support received from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

On Sunday, the 24th of August, committee member Elizabeth Redding will lead a similar Open Day in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/feltmakers-ireland-open-day-discover-the-magic-of-wet-felting-westmeath/ Note: This event is fully booked up. If you would like to volunteer to help, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com

Good luck to Elizabeth and the volunteers helping her.

UPDATE: There’s a fantastic blog post by Douglas of the CIE Sports Hall in Inchicore that features even more photos and tons of interesting information. – https://inchicoresportsandsocialclub.com/2025/08/19/feltmakers-ireland-open-day-sunday-17-august/ 🌿🐏🌿

Our banner.

There is a fantastic article with TONS of photos about our Open Day on the CIE Sports Hall’s website – https://inchicoresportsandsocialclub.com/2025/08/19/feltmakers-ireland-open-day-sunday-17-august/

Additionally, we had a second Open Day in Kilbeggan on Sunday, the 24th of August. There is an article (with a paywall), here on Topic – https://topic.ie/from-wool-to-wonder-feltmakers-open-day-draws-all-ages/

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: Turning Flax into Linen – Textile Event – Co Cork

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Join Fibreshed Ireland in West Cork this August Craft Month 2025 for a hands-on, drop-in workshop exploring the ancient craft of transforming flax into linen!

Discover the fascinating journey of this humble plant—from seed to fabric—and the traditional tools and techniques used along the way: rippling, scutching, hackling, spinning and weaving.

Join Kathy Kirwan, who has spent years studying and reviving traditional flax-processing methods, for a hands-on workshop. You’ll see the stages of flax processing and learn about flax’s role in regenerative farming, crop rotation, and its many uses—from sustainable textiles to ropes, composites, and more.

Sonia from Kilcoe Studios will be making paper and rope from flax and organising games and activities with children outside, inspired by traditional games. All ages are welcome to share their memories of games they played.

  • Flax to Linen demonstrations – all day
  • Paper making and rope making – 12:00 – 3 PM
  • Heritage Games for children outdoors – 3 – 6 PM

Drop in anytime throughout the day! No booking or experience needed.
FREE! Supported by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

When: Sunday, the 24th of August.

Where: Main St, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, P81 A218.


Flax illustration © Kilcoe Studios.

For more information, visit their website – https://fibreshedireland.ie/events/flax-linen-inne-agus-inniu-and-heritage-games/


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: IGWSD’s The Big Spin – August Craft Month – Co Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

To celebrate August Craft Month, our fibre-friends, the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers (IGWSD) will host a Big Spin event at the Beckett Locke Hotel on Dublin’s North Docks on Sunday, the 17th of August, from 11 AM to 4 PM.

The Big Spin is open to all and is free; simply drop in at any time. Tea and coffee will be provided. Bring your spindle, spinning wheel or small loom.

For more information, visit their website – https://weavespindye.ie/ or https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/big-spin-for-august-craft-month-2025/

Their Instagram: @weavespindyeie


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: August Craft Month – Felting Related Events

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland will have TWO events where we will teach wet felting as part of this year’s August Craft Month –

  • CIE Sports Hall, Inchicore, Dublin, on Sunday, the 17th of August
  • St James Hall, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, on Sunday, the 24th of August

Our events run from 11 AM to 3 PM, offering both morning and afternoon sessions for students. While our Dublin event is already fully booked, there are still spots available for our Kilbeggan event. Please note: These remaining places are reserved for non-members—we want to share the joy of felting with new faces!

At both events, we’ll need volunteers to welcome and guide students throughout the day. Members will also have the chance to exhibit (and sell) their felted creations!

New this year: We’re inviting members to use the Open Day as an opportunity to actively work on their own felting projects. It’s an excellent way for the public to see the creative process behind the finished pieces.

If you are a member and want to be part of our Open Days, please email us at feltmakersIE@gmail.com

Members’ ACM Felting Activities

Several of our members have their own August Craft Month events!

On the 1st of August, Sharon Wells is teaching a workshop on how to use wool for crafts or gardens in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/how-to-use-local-wool-for-crafts-or-gardens-cahersiveen-music-and-arts-festival-event/

On the 2nd, Sharon is teaching a felted painting workshop in Co Kerry – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/feltmaking-the-kerry-countryside/

On the 3rd of August, Karen Bowden of Fabulous Fibres is teaching a wet felted handbag workshop in Creggs, Co Galway – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/felted-handbag-workshop/

Needlefelter Emily Thompson has a month-long exhibition of her wool landscape paintings at the Carrigaline Library, Kilnaglery, Carrigaline, Co Cork, P43 HA25.

Emily is also teaching several workshops in various locations in Co Cork. Here is a link to her course for children on the 9th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/needle-felting-workshop-with-emily-thompson-create-a-wool-painting/. She also has classes on the 16th, 24th and 29th – https://augustcraftmonth.org/events/?search_loc=cork&event_type=workshop&discipline=felt&start_date=20250725&end_date=20250930#results

On the 9th of August, Zivile Zeniauskaite will be part of the Makers of Blackwater Valley in Fermoy, Co Cork. She will demonstrate how she creates felted slippers – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/meet-the-makers/

Barbara O’Rahilly is holding a series of two craft retreats in Kilternan, Co Dublin. Each event runs for four days. The first one is from the 11th to the 14th, and the second one is from the 18th to the 21st – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/4-day-craft-retreat-with-barbara-orahilly-2/

Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt will teach a wet felting flower workshop on the 16th of August as part of the MeathMade Celebration in Swift, Co Meath – https://swiftculturalcentre.ie/event/meath-made-wet-felt-flower-bouquet-workshop

Tamzen Lundy is teaching a wet felting workshop on the 31st of August, in Co Kildare – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/feltmaking-a-sea-urchin-wet-felting-taster/

FoFi Events

Friend of Feltmakers Ireland (FoFI), Shelley Steele, who organised the Flax Flower Project at the Titanic Museum in Belfast, has a Meet the Maker on the 28th and a felted blue flax flower workshop on the 9th in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland – https://augustcraftmonth.org/events/?search_loc=antrim&event_type=&discipline=felt&start_date=20250701&end_date=20250930#results

Another FoFI, Fibreshed Ireland, has a flax and linen related event in Balleydehob, Co Cork on the 24th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/flax-linen-inne-agus-inniu-and-heritage-games/

If you are a guild member and we overlooked your event, please accept our apologies. A lot is going on during August Craft Month!

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: Apply to August Craft Month – Deadline the 8th of June

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Applications are open for this year’s August Craft Month, which is open to all makers who wish to share what they do. Highlighting the vibrant local craft scene across the island of Ireland, August Craft Month is a unique celebration of the local craft sector, providing various opportunities for the public to #MakeSeeBuy.

Your event could take the form of a workshop, open studio, craft trail, exhibition, talk, meet-the-maker session, demonstration, craft market, fair, or festival. It may be held in person or online and can be designed for adults, children, families, or audiences of all ages.

August Craft Month is organised by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and Craft NI.

The deadline to be included in listings is Sunday, the 8th of June.

For more information, visit the August Craft Month website- https://augustcraftmonth.org/

Their Instagram – @August Craft Month

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.

Open Call: August Craft Month – (Un)Bound Exhibition CraftNI Gallery – Belfast

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

CraftNI‘s August Craft Month 2025 exhibition is now accepting applications. Makers are invited to address the contexts of the open call below –

“Do you feel the tug of elements of tradition that are important to you in your craft? Is it the traditional techniques, in use for centuries, that you love to use in a contemporary way? Or is it the traditional values of crafts which are one of your drivers? Co-operation, place, community?

Perhaps you feel released from the bonds of tradition, your chosen discipline enabling you to pursue your ideas freely. Or perhaps you want to turn your creative focus inwards, towards the concept of binding and/or unbinding.”

Deadline for applying: Friday, the 27th of June.

For more information, visit the CraftNI website – https://craftni.org/august-craft-month-exhibition-2025-unbound/

Instagram @augustcraftmonth25 and @craft.ni

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: Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day – National Heritage Week Awards – County Winner, Dublin City

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On the 15th of November, Feltmakers Ireland was awarded the County Winner in the National Heritage Week Awards for the Dublin City Council local authority area. We now have a beautifully framed award to share.

Every year, the Heritage Council celebrates the work of communities and organisations that hosted National Heritage Week events, which kick off on the third weekend of August and run until the end of the following weekend. Feltmakers Ireland hosted two Open Days, where we shared the magic of wet felting with the public. One event was in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, and the other was in Inchicore, County Dublin, at the CIE Sports Hall and Social Club, where we typically hold our monthly Sunday Sessions. In addition to sharing how wool fibres transform into felt, we displayed felted wearables and artwork created by members. A second display area had information on Irish wool, how it can be used for feltmaking, and copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

To see a photo-filled recap of our event in Dublin, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/22/recap-august-craft-open-day-felted-vessels-inchicore/

A video of our Open Day can be found on our social media:

The video is also on our YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/edUGtYr94_g

Thank you to the Heritage Council for recognising feltmaking as a cultural heritage. Additionally, we want to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for supporting our guild throughout the years.

We don’t know who kindly nominated our event for the County Dublin Award, but we are ever so appreciative! Go raibh míle maith agaibh, (which is ‘Thank you very much’ in Irish).

The Awards

In addition to County Awards, there are eight other categories:

  • There is a category that relates to the theme of the year. The theme of 2024 was ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’
  • Wild Child Event Award
  • Water Heritage Award
  • Inclusive Heritage Award
  • Irish Language Award
  • Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage Award
  • Heritage Hero Award

To learn more about award categories, visit the Heritage Week website- https://www.heritageweek.ie/awards

Awards Ceremony

To watch a full video of the National Heritage Week 2024 Awards Ceremony, visit RTE’s YouTube page here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziFzpG3ltM

To see a photo-filled recap of our other Open Day in Kilbeggan, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/09/04/recap-feltmakers-ireland-open-day-in-kilbeggan-co-westmeath-august-craft-month/


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: Feltmakers Ireland’s Open Day – National Heritage Week Awards – County Winner, Dublin City

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland


On the 15th of November, Feltmakers Ireland was awarded the County Winner in the National Heritage Week Awards for the Dublin City Council local authority area.

Every year, the Heritage Council celebrates the work of communities and organisations that hosted National Heritage Week events, which kick off on the third weekend of August and run until the end of the following weekend. Feltmakers Ireland hosted two Open Days, where we shared the magic of wet felting with the public. One event was in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, and the other was in Inchicore, County Dublin, at the CIE Sports Hall and Social Club, where we typically hold our monthly Sunday Sessions. In addition to sharing how wool fibres transform into felt, we displayed felted wearables and artwork created by members. A second display area had information on Irish wool, how it can be used for feltmaking, and copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.

To see a photo-filled recap of our event in Dublin, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/22/recap-august-craft-open-day-felted-vessels-inchicore/

A video of our Open Day can be found on our social media:

The video is also on our YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/edUGtYr94_g

Thank you to the Heritage Council for recognising feltmaking as a cultural heritage. Additionally, we want to thank the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for supporting our guild throughout the years.

We don’t know who kindly nominated our event for the County Dublin Award, but we are ever so appreciative! Go raibh míle maith agaibh, (which is ‘Thank you very much’ in Irish).

The Awards

In addition to County Awards, there are eight other categories:

  • There is a category that relates to the theme of the year. The theme of 2024 was ‘Connections, Routes and Networks’
  • Wild Child Event Award
  • Water Heritage Award
  • Inclusive Heritage Award
  • Irish Language Award
  • Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage Award
  • Heritage Hero Award

To learn more about award categories, visit the Heritage Week website- https://www.heritageweek.ie/awards

The guild appears at 1 minute 35 seconds in this five-minute video clip.

Awards Ceremony

To watch a full video of the National Heritage Week 2024 Awards Ceremony, visit RTE’s YouTube page here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IziFzpG3ltM

To see a photo-filled recap of our event in Kilbeggan, visit here on our blog – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/09/04/recap-feltmakers-ireland-open-day-in-kilbeggan-co-westmeath-august-craft-month/


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.

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland Open Day in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath – August Craft Month

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland2 Comments
Happy feedback and a felted vessel from one of the participants.

Sunday, the 25th of August, saw the second of our open days for August Craft Month/Heritage Week. (Our previous event was in Dublin on the 18th.)

Some photos of hands at work

Behind-the-scenes photos by member Denise Egan.

Volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland started at 11 AM with a large group of participants. Our students showed great interest in the felting process and were delighted to bring home a new felted creation.

Additionally, our visitors were very impressed with our display of felted artworks and our interactive display on the Irish Wool project. In the afternoon, we taught a second group of participants.

The Irish Wool Project

As part of our Open Day, guild member Annika Berglund carded and spun Irish-raised wool fibres. If you want to learn more about felting with wool from local sheep, check out our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/

During the event, a photographer from a local newspaper came to take photos, and the Westmeath Heritage Officer also popped in to say hello. An exciting video of Westmeath Heritage events is on the OPW’s Facebook page. Feltmakers Ireland appears at approximately the 8-second mark – https://fb.watch/uloKvaesCY/

More photos of the day

Elizabeth with students.
Deirdre with students.
Annika demonstrating Irish wool.
Maria teaching students.

Happy Feedback

We were delighted to receive such warm feedback from our students!

Appreciation

We thank Elizabeth Redding for organising the Kilbeggan Open Day on behalf of the guild. It was vital for us to share feltmaking with an audience beyond Dublin.

Additional thanks to all the members who so kindly donated their Sunday to help share the love of feltmaking: Annika, Deirdre, Denise, Fiona, Loli, Lorna, Maria, and Marie. Their contribution to felting is deeply appreciated! We could not have taught over forty students without their help!

Wearing a red-orange t-shirt, Loli is surrounded by some students.

It was a successful day all around.

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: August Craft Month and Guild Member Juliane Gorman Featured on Dublin South Radio 93.9 FM

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On the 1st of August, Feltmakers Ireland guild member Juliane Gorman was interviewed by her local radio station, Dublin South FM by the talented Maeve Halpin of ‘Wellbeing for Everyday Life’. Also on the program was Eimear Harding, the Communications Mangager with the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

Juliane spoke about the sorry state of Irish wool, Feltmakers Ireland’s two Open Days*, and how to make a felted hat. Eimar spoke about how there are over 400 craft-related events all over Ireland: Events include Maker Talks, Workshops, Exhibitions, Markets, and Festivals. There are events in every county and a wide range of crafts, including felting!

Here are the results on the interactive August Craft Month map of what’s on for Sunday, the 25th.

*The Feltmakers Ireland Open Day in Kilbeggan is fully booked. We need more volunteers! If you are a guild member and and can help, please email feltmakersIE@gmail.com

To find August Craft Month events near you, visit – https://augustcraftmonth.org/

Listen to the rebroadcast of the radio program on Dublin South FM 93.9 – https://www.mixcloud.com/DublinSouthFMCommunityRadio/wellbeing-for-everyday-life-juliane-gorman-eimear-harding-010824/

For more information about Juliane’s Open Studio, visit – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/visit-the-felting-forge-open-studio-of-juliane-gorman-felthappiness-hats/

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.