Tag: Co Offaly

Recap: Feltmakers Ireland at Tullamore Show 2026

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Siobhán Ryan

Sunday, the 9th of August, and the sun was shining at the annual Tullamore Agricultural Show in County Offaly!  It was an early start for Elizabeth, Clodagh, Siobhán, Linda, Mary O, and Mary G, who represented the Feltmakers Ireland Guild at the Crafts area. 

Our Volunteers

Mary O, Elizabeth, and Siobhan
Linda and Clodagh
Mary G and Clodagh

A record 70,000 people attended the show, and many dropped by to chat and watch the wet felting and needle-felting demonstrations. It is encouraging to see the level of interest in the craft, as evidenced by conversations and the many enquiries to join our guild. 

Member Linda Costello joined Feltmakers Ireland in 2025 and has become a regular attendee since we established Feltmakers Ireland West, which meets monthly in Co Galway.

Linda was delighted to win first prize with her entry ‘4 sods hard won turf’ and second prize for her ‘Contemporary Summer Garden’, both in the Horticulture section. She was also awarded a Best in Show certificate. Well done, Linda!!

Linda’s Pieces

Linda Costello’s ‘4 sods hard won turf’‘
Linda Costello’s ‘Contemporary Summer Garden‘

As we promote Irish wool, it was lovely to see the different breeds of sheep and the alpacas, all looking so well-tended and plentiful. Speaking with breeders, we learned that they are encouraged by this year’s increase in Irish wool prices; it is good news for everyone. 

Sheep and Alpaca Pics

Marshmallow Sheep made by a young person

It was a very positive day at the Tullamore Show, and Feltmakers Ireland is delighted to be invited to return for a 5th year in a row in 2027. 

Instagram: @tullamoreshow

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 Calls: 2 Exhibitions Seeking Artwork – Esker Arts, Co Offaly & Market Gallery, Co Cork

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Esker Arts invites artists from or based in Offaly, Galway, Roscommon, Tipperary, Laois, Westmeath, Kildare, and Meath to submit one existing artwork for a group exhibition curated by Rachel Botha, taking place October–December 2026.

This year’s Open Call explores the idea of ‘the good neighbour’. It can be interpreted from the perspective of a community defined by place, identity, or commonality; understood beyond borders through shared causes or struggles; or viewed through our relationship with the natural environment.

Submissions in any medium and from artists at all stages of their careers are welcomed.

Deadline: Wednesday 26 August, 5:30 PM

There is no submission fee, and they’re seeking existing works. Selected artists will receive a small participation fee.

Esker Arts, High St, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, R35 NY50

To apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxhn9pMKRzX_1uH5ekMMuLclCoqzpZML7-yaawu-xvNQK3Qw/viewform

@eskerarts

The Market Gallery Cork is seeking artwork in any medium for an exhibition titled “Layers of the Land.” Suitable artworks could include landscapes or artworks about the land on which we live and our relationship to it.

Email submissions to marketgallery@douglasvillage.ie by midnight on Sunday 13th September.

Market Gallery, Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Douglas, Co Cork, T12 E39C

More information: https://www.marketgallerydouglas.com/open-call

@market_gallery_cork

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: Small Works – Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival – Co Offaly

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Colourful logo for Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, featuring the words 'BIRR', 'ARTS', and 'VINTAGE WEEK' in playful typography against a grid of vibrant backgrounds.

Artists are invited to submit works to the Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival. Titled ‘Small Squares, Big Presence’, artists are limited to the size of 30 x 30 cm. Selected artists will also be in the running for a solo exhibition in 2027.

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is an annual community event in Birr, Co. Offaly, featuring professional, national, and international artists, bringing together visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performers, workshops, exhibitions, and lots more.

Submission deadline: Wednesday, the 1st of July at 5 PM

Exhibition: From the 31st of July to the 6th of August 2026; launch on the 31st of July.

More information on the Open Call can be found on their website – https://www.birrvintageweek.com/annual-open-submission-exhibition

Their Instagram @birrvintageweekartsfestival

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 at The Tullamore Show – 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Elizabeth Redding

Poster of our book, 'Exploring Irish Wool for Felting' with sheep at the base. Next to that is a table with felted purses, and a backdrop of felted floral panel in pink.

This was our third year exhibiting and demonstrating at the Tullamore Show. The day started off misty, but soon cleared to a warm sunny day. As before, we were in the Craft tent. We got a large area, so we were able to set up a nice display of our five members’ work. We also had room for a needle felting demonstration and a wet felting demonstration, which we took turns in doing.

We had a great interest in both types of felting. Both young and old were fascinated by the
magic of wool turning into felt with just soap and water. Many questions were asked about
Feltmakers Ireland, what we do, where and when we meet.

As Tullamore Show hosts the All-Ireland finals in many categories, we had people from all over Ireland and further afield. All in all, it was a very enjoyable day, and the organiser of the Craft tent expressed a wish that we return next year!

Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Elizabeth Redding for coordinating Feltmakers Ireland’s event at the Tullamore Show. Additional thanks to the members who donated their time and shared their skills at the show: Belinda, Karen, Mary, and Caitríona. We truly appreciate your help!

Gallery of Photos

Of Interest: Tullamore Show – This Sunday

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Poster for the Tullamore Show - This Sunday - shows map of the many areas and where Feltmakers Ireland will be - in the Crafts Tent.

A dedicated team of Feltmakers Ireland members will be in the Tullamore Show’s Crafts Tent to demonstrate the wonders of felting.

Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show is Ireland’s premier agricultural event. Every year, it attracts the best cattle, sheep, and equine breeders from all over the country, as well as entrants for its other 1,000-plus competitions, with a total prize fund of €175,000.

It is Ireland’s largest one-day show, attracting an average of 60,000 visitors in recent years. The show features 700 trade stands from the agri sector, home Industries, farm produce, innovation, forestry, agri machinery, and more.

When: the 10th of August, 2025, from noon to 5 PM.

Where: In the Craft Tent at the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland.


The Tullamore Show is accessible by public transportation, with a complimentary shuttle bus service available to and from the showgrounds.

For more information and tickets, visit their website – https://www.tullamoreshow.com/

Here’s a recap from our demonstrations at the 2024 Tullamore Show – https://feltmakersireland.com/2024/08/16/recap-the-tullamore-show-2024/

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.

Event: Fibershed Ireland’s 3rd Annual Symposium – in Tullamore

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

As part of Irish Design Week, Fibreshed Ireland is hosting its third annual symposium, inviting participants to imagine how Soil-to-Soil textiles could help improve the future—not only of the textile industry, but beyond.

It will be a day of interactive presentations, craft demonstrations, breakout sessions, and engaging networking opportunities, open to both Fibreshed Ireland members and non-members.

When: Saturday, the 16th of November, 9:30 AM to 5 PM.

Where: The Bridge House Hotel, Bridge St, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

For more information and to book your ticket, visit Fibreshed Ireland’s website – https://fibreshedireland.ie/symposium-2024/

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: The Tullamore Show – 2024

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment
Photograph by Elizabeth Redding

The Tullamore Show 2024, Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co Offaly

By Guild Member Margaret Ryan Collins

This summer, Sunday, the 11th of August was the date for The Tullamore Show, Ireland’s largest one-day agricultural event. Over 60,000 people attended this year.

This premier Livestock show, which featured the best cattle, sheep, and equine breeders from all over the country, also had about 700 trade stands from agri sectors, Home Industries, Farm produce, etc., to name a few, along with many interested and interesting visitors of all ages.

Feltmakers Ireland was delighted to be afforded a 12 m (approx) stand in the Craft and Needlework Marquee. Here, we displayed a wide variety of quality felted items, large and small. During the day, we demonstrated how felting is achieved, both wet felting and needle felting; we discussed its history, its wonder and magic, its sustainable elements, our wonderfully informative book ‘Exploring Irish Wool For Feltmaking ‘, the guild itself, and many more topics. Visitors got to touch and feel the wool fibre and the completed felt and asked a wonderful variety of questions.

All in all, an interesting and enjoyable day was had, with felting and Feltmakers Ireland well promoted.

Thanks to Elizabeth Redding for organising and leading the group and to Phill at The Tullamore Show for her assistance.

Some of Elizabeth Redding’s photos –

Note: the orange netting was placed before all the Craft and Needlework tables.

  • A selection of felted art work – including needle and wet felted.
  • The netting was to protect the work.
  • More felted art work – Guild member Evija Mezaka in the background.

Some of Margaret Ryan’s photos –

  • Samples of felted art works.
  • Guild Members Hélène Dooley, Caitríona, Nolan, and Margaret Ryan Collins
  • More felted art work.
  • Ruffled scarves
  • Organiser Elizabeth Redding with volunteer Hélène Dooley.
  • Stained Glass Technique – Feltmaking

Some of Sam Fagan’s Photos

  • Our book, Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking, some bookmarks, and membership brochures.
  • The floral banner we made for our 20th Anniversary Celebration
  • More felted art work.
  • Blue Faced Leicester Sheep at Tullamore
  • Valais Blacknose Sheep at Tullamore
  • More Sheep!
  • Scotch Blackface Sheep
  • Visitors at Tullamore
  • Guild members Evija Mezaka and Hélène Dooley
  • Another angle…

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 hosting the event.

Events: This Sunday Feltmakers Ireland Demonstrates Felting – Tullamore Show

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

A dedicated team of Feltmakers Ireland members will be in the Tullamore Show’s Crafts Tent to demonstrate the wonders of felting.

Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show is Ireland’s premier agricultural event. Every year, it attracts the best cattle, sheep, and equine breeders from all over the country, as well as entrants for its other 1,000-plus competitions, with a total prize fund of €175,000.

It is Ireland’s largest one-day show, averaging 60,000 visitors in recent years. The show features 700 trade stands from Agri Sectors, Home Industries, Farm Produce, Innovation, Forestry, Agri Machinery, and more.

When: the 11th of August, 2024, from noon to 5 PM.

Where: In the Craft Tent at the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland.


The Tullamore Show is served by public transit, with a free shuttle bus service to and from the show grounds.

Pick up: Tullamore Train station/O’Connor Square Tullamore.

Drop off: Blue car park.

  • From Dublin, trains arrive in Tullamore at 08:56, 12:43, 14:49, 15:34, and later. 
  • From Galway, trains arrive in Tullamore at 09:34, 12:22, 14:30, and later.
  • From Cork, trains arrive in Tullamore at 12:43, 14:49, 16:33 and later.

For information on the free shuttle from the Tullamore rail station, visit the website – https://www.tullamoreshow.com/travel/by-train

For more information, visit the Show’s website – https://www.tullamoreshow.com/

Photograph from last year’s demonstration at the Tulllamore Show.

Here is a recap of the Guild’s demonstration last year https://feltmakersireland.com/2023/08/10/news-feltmakers-ireland-at-tullamore-show-2/


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.

Events: Feltmakers Ireland will Demonstrate Felting – Tullamore Show 2024

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate the craft of feltmaking at the annual Tullamore Show. A dedicated team of members will share the wonders of wet and needle felting with visitors.

From farming enthusiasts to fashion followers, competitive contestants to crafters, and motor, music, shoe, and shopping fans, the Tullamore Show offers a great day out for the whole family.

When: the 11th of August, 2024, from noon to 5 PM.

Where: In the Craft Tent at the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

For more information, visit the Show’s website – https://www.tullamoreshow.com/

Here is a recap of the Guild’s demonstration last year – https://feltmakersireland.com/2023/08/10/news-feltmakers-ireland-at-tullamore-show-2/

Photo of last year’s demonstration area

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: ‘Unseen Universe’ – Caitriona Nolan

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Caitriona Nolan has a piece in ‘Unseen Universe’ at the Birr Theatre and Arts Centre in Co. Offaly.

When: The 12th of December through the end of January.

Where: Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Theatre & Arts Centre, Oxmantown Hall, Oxmantown Mall, Townparks, Birr, Co. Offaly

For more information, visit the Centre’s website – https://www.birrtheatre.com/

Caitriona has another piece in the Offaly Artists Show at the Esker Arts Centre, which runs through the 22nd of December.