Tag: Co Galway

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland West – October Meetup – Processing Wool

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Karen Bowden

Feltmakers Ireland-West is a growing regional subset of Feltmakers Ireland dedicated to promoting the art and craft of felting across the western counties. We are predominantly based in County Galway and therefore meet up there. We enjoy a variety of activities, such as needle and wet-felting workshops and skill-sharing. Feltmakers Ireland-West aims to provide a supportive space for both beginners and experienced makers to develop their artistry, experiment with texture and colour, and celebrate the rich heritage of Irish textile traditions in a fun and inclusive environment.

Recent Meet Up

Most recently, we were delighted to attend a fleece scouring session in Tuam, with guild member Katarina Hruskova from Woolstore Ireland, where we learned to process beautiful Irish wool from raw fleece to fluffy clouds. 

The work is quite involved and begins with ‘skirting’ the fleece, which means removing any clumps of waste before moving on to scouring. Scouring is the washing process that can involve several soaks in soapy water for a very dirty fleece—the trick is not to felt the wool, so water temperature and touch must be carefully controlled. 

Once clean and dried, the wool is ‘picked’ to remove any vegetable matter such as hay and straw before the fibre is ‘carded’ with combs or a machine to produce the batts and roving we all love.

Photos from the Meet Up

More Information on Irish Wool Processing

If you are curious about processing your own fibre, Feltmakers Ireland’s book ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ includes instructions for processing wool. https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/

More Pics

Attendees from the Feltmakers Ireland West – October Meet Up. In the foreground, Karena. From left to right: Katarina Hruskova, Corina, Sandra, Belinda, and Patricia.

European Wool Book – in German

At the meeting, there was an interesting book about European wool. If you read German, there are copies available at this website – https://www.alice-im-wolleland.eu/products/buch-schafe-und-wolle-in-europa

Woolstore Ireland

Through her business, Woolstore Ireland, Katarina offers the following wool-processing services: skirting, washing, opening, and carding. To contact her, visit her website- https://www.woolstore.ie/

Next Meeting in Co Galway

The next meeting of Feltmakers Ireland-West will be on 23rd November in Gort, Co Galway.

For full details, please visit www.feltmakersireland-west.com. We would love to see you there.

If you have questions about Feltmakers Ireland West, you can contact committee member Belinda Reid at the following email: chasingdreamsfeltart@gmail.com


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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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Event: Meetup of Feltmakers Ireland West – Co Galway – THIS Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland West will hold a meeting for members in TUAM, Co Galway, THIS Sunday, where guild member Katarina Hruskova of WoolstoreIE will give a talk about processing Irish wool. If you are travelling to Co Galway during the three-day holiday weekend, you are most welcome to attend!

When: Sunday, the 26th of October at 11 AM.

Where: Brú Bríde, Tirboy, Tuam, Co Galway, H54 EY24

Contact committee member Belinda Reid for more information – chasingdreamsfeltart@gmail.com

WoolstoreIE’s Instagram @woolstoreireland

Note: If you join the guild at this time of year, your Membership will be rolled over to the coming year – https://feltmakersireland.com/membership-application/


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: More Members will take part in Culture Night 2025

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Good Bog, Bad Bog – Collaborative Felting Project – Enniskerry, Co Wicklow

‘Good Bog Bad Bog’ sees wool-based landscape representations of a functioning bog and an eroded one, highlighting the ecological importance of Wicklow’s peatlands, sparking conversation around biodiversity loss, climate resilience and water quality.

This exhibition features felted pieces by Sharon Wells, along with a collaborative community project guided by Sharon. Amongst the artists are guild members Loli Cox and Margaret Ryan Collins.

Using Irish wool sourced from Farmachla in Co Donegal, and donated by @woolstoreireland (another guild member) and @irishfibrecrafters

When: Friday, the 19th of September at 7:30 PM.

Where: Schoolhouse for Art, R760, The Square, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, A98 RH33


For more information, visit their page on the Culture Night website – https://culturenight.ie/event/good-bog-bad-bog/

Gort Arts Second Annual Members’ Exhibition – Co Galway

Guild member Joanne Foley is exhibiting work as part of the Gort Arts second annual members’ exhibition, which opens on Culture Night at 7 PM, with live music and refreshments.

When: The show runs from Friday, the 19th to the 28th of September, 2025

Where: Michael Kennedy Pottery Studio, Boland’s Lane, Ballyhugh, Gort, Co Galway, H91

For more information, visit their page on the Culture Night website – https://culturenight.ie/event/gorgeous-gort/

FORMDesignMade Exhibition – Tullow Library – Co Carlow

FORM Designmade has a retrospective exhibition showcasing the exceptional talent of 10 craft practitioners from County Carlow. Guild member Leiko Uchiyama is among the artists.

When: Friday, the 19th of September, 4 PM – 8 PM

Where: Tullow Library, Inner Relief Road, Tullow, Co Carlow, R93 XD93

Here is their Instagram – @formdesigncarlow

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.

Exhibition: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann part of Shoreline Arts Festival – Portumna, Co Galway

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Guild member Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann has been invited to exhibit her work at the Shoreline Arts Festival, in Portumna, Co Galway. The Visual Arts Exhibition is displayed in the beautiful and historical museum, The Irish Workhouse Centre.

The show runs from Monday, the 8th of September, through Sunday, the 21st.

Where: Irish Workhouse Centre, St Brigid’s Road, Portumna, Co Galway, H53 EK74.

For more information on the exhibition, visit the website – https://www.shorelinesartsfestival.com/exhibitions-in-the-irish-workhouse-centre.html


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.

Exhibition: ‘Symbols of Mobility’ – Niki Collier Solo Show – Portumna Demesne – Co Galway

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Guild member Dr Niki Collier has a solo exhibition at Portumna Castle. It combines felt art, installation, dance, and participatory engagements, which are captured through film and photography.

The exhibition ‘Symbols of Mobility’ uses bird lore in legends, proverbs, and intangible cultural traditions to explore the hard truths about ourselves and others.

The audience will get the chance to see seven stories: The Phoenix, The Children of Lir, The Black Swan, The Cutest Chick, The Stork, The Legend of Óengus and Caer, and The Blue Bird of Happiness. These pieces are embodied in large-scale sculptures informed by wings and small sculptures informed by shapes of sorrow and joy. The work also includes installations, photography, and film.

Parts of the work have been produced with the generous support of the Office of Public Works, Arts Council of Ireland, Creative Ireland, and the Dublin Arts Office.

Where: Portumna Castle, Portumna Demesne, Portumna, Co Galway, H53 YK27

The show runs until Tuesday, the 30th of September.

There is a sneak-peek video of the installation over on Niki’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/p/DOEjntiiFlj/

For more information about the opening, which is at 3 PM, on Friday, the 5th of September, visit this website – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/symbols-of-mobility-exhibition-dr-niki-collier-tickets-1646175769039

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: Inside the Farm Gate – Murray Meadows Farm – Galway Sheep

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

This Inside The Gate Open Farm Day is organised by Farming For Nature and is an opportunity to visit a farm and see the vital work that farmers do for nature in your local community.

On Sunday, August 31st, Blátnaid and Niall Gallagher’s farm, featuring native Galway Sheep and Connemara Ponies, will be open for visitors.

This is a free event open to families and will be held on various farms across the country on the 31st. Please register to attend, as space is limited.

For more information on the Gallagher’s Open Farm Day, visit this website – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/farmingfornature/1719997

Here is a link to the other farms that are hosting Open Days – https://www.farmingfornature.ie/inside-the-gate/

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: Digital Sheep and Wool Trail of Connemara

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Fáilte Ireland, in partnership with the Connemara and Aran Islands Tourism Network (CAITN), has launched a self-guided digital trail.

This trail is a celebration of the sheep and wool traditions that have shaped Ireland’s landscape, food, and craft.

For more information, visit the website – https://connemara.ie/discover-connemaras-wool-heritage-on-the-sheep-and-wool-trail/

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: Sheep 2025 – 21st of June – Athenry, Co Galway

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for Sheep 2025 - Saturday, the 21st of June, at 10-5, in Athhenry, Co Galway

Sheep 2025 is the largest dedicated, sheep-focused open day on the island of Ireland.

The event includes many attractions, presentations, and demonstrations, which will interest anyone involved in sheep farming, rural life, or Irish agriculture.

For feltmakers, these areas may be of interest –

  • Sheep Shearing demonstrations and wool displays in the Wool Village
  • Sheep breed competitions
  • Sheep breed display

When: Saturday, 21st of June, from 10 AM to 5 PM

Where: Teagasc Mellows Campus in Athenry, Co. Galway.

@Teagasc runs this event in conjunction with industry partners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, @bordbia, @sheepirelandofficial, and @farmersjournal.

For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/sheep2025


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: Two Artists’ Residencies with the Galway Wool Co-op – Exhibition this Saturday

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‘Learning Old Tricks from Ancient Sheep’ is a one-day exhibition of two designers’ residencies with the Galway Wool Co-op.

Fabienne Rako and Annika Joachim invite you to their exhibition ‘Learning Old Tricks from Ancient Sheep’, which they are presenting in cooperation with the Galway Wool Co-Op. Together with Galway Wool, they aim to elaborate on the various applications in which all parts of the sheep’s wool can be properly utilised.

Within their two-week residency with the Co-op, they explored the potential of noil, a short fibre by-product of worsted spinning, to create unique, textured garments. Their work will showcase noil’s potential beyond waste, transforming it into high-quality, contemporary Irish textiles.

Where: O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, Galway
When: Saturday, the 1st of March 2025, from 1:00 – 8:00 PM

For more information – see the Co-op’s Instagram post; @thegalwaywoolco_op

@fabienne_rko

@annikajoachim


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: World Wide Spin in Public – Two Locations in Ireland

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

For this year’s World Wide Spin in Public (WWSIP) on Saturday, September 21st, there are two Spin in Public happenings in Ireland: Dublin and Galway.

World Wide Spin in Public (WWSIP) Day was started in 2009 and is scheduled for the third Saturday of September. There is a Facebook group showing all the spinning happening worldwide – https://www.facebook.com/groups/wwsipday/

For more information about the Irish events, visit the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers‘ social media accounts –

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/weavespindyeie/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.