Tag: Co Westmeath

RECAP: Feltmakers Ireland shares Wet and Needle Felting at the Midlands Fibre Festival

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

By Mary O’Rourke

A busy indoor market scene with a large crowd of people browsing stalls filled with handmade goods and crafts. The venue features bright lighting and a modern design.
The Midlands Fibre Festival 2026
A busy crafting fair taking place indoors with numerous vendors displaying handmade goods. People are engaging in shopping and conversations, and a large screen in the background promotes social media support for the crafting community.
Another photo of the hall at the Radisson Blu Hotel

On Sunday the 11th of October 2026, five members of Feltmakers Ireland (Elizabeth, Eva, Deirdre, Elaine and myself) represented the Guild at Midlands Fibre Festival at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone.

Felting Demonstrations

We had a lovely, successful day and met lots of interesting people, all of whom expressed a huge interest in wool, felt, and feltmaking. We demonstrated both wet felting and needle felting on the day. People, as is usual when we demonstrate, were fascinated by the process and asked many questions, which were expertly answered by the team.

Two women at a crafting table, one smiling and working with wool, while the other is focused on shaping a felted pumpkin. The booth is decorated with colourful craft materials and displays.
Deirdre and Eva
A woman sits behind a table displaying handmade crafts, including felted bowls and framed artworks, at an exhibition. She is wearing glasses and a blue shirt, with a beige cardigan draped over her shoulders.
Mary at the table
Two women engaged in craft activities at a market stall, with one smiling and holding a felted item while the other prepares materials.
Elaine and Elizabeth
A woman demonstrating a craft activity at a stall, with two visitors attentively watching. The stall features various handmade items and decorations, and there are additional vendors visible in the background.
Elaine demonstrating
A woman creating crafts at a market stall, surrounded by handmade items including felted sculptures, colourful yarns, and decorative bowls. Another woman is seated in the background, observing the display.
Elizabeth’s work
Two women engaged in crafting activities at a market stall. One is working on a felting project, while the other rolls wool. Various handmade felt items, including colourful owls and decorations, are displayed on the table.
Deirdre and Eva
A woman crafting felted figurines at a craft fair table filled with colourful handmade items, including pumpkins, owls, and a whimsical puppet.
Eva’s Work – @feltedvision
A display of various handcrafted felted items, including whimsical figurines, pumpkins, and owls, arranged on a table at a craft fair.
Our display
A display table featuring handmade felt items, including a felt bowl and various small felt decorations. There are framed artwork pieces depicting landscapes and trees, alongside promotional materials and a schedule for upcoming workshops. A woman in a blue top is seen in the background, engaged in a crafting activity.
Elizabeth and Dee’s work

Needle Felting Workshop

We also ran a workshop where six ladies learned to needle-felt a flower brooch in just 90 minutes. They each completed their piece and took home a brooch they made themselves.

A woman wearing a striped blue sweater with a red felt flower pin is sitting at a table, looking down at her hands with a smile. A clear bag containing colourful materials is placed on the table in front of her.
A smiling woman with curly hair is sitting at a table, wearing a grey long-sleeved top with a vibrant felt flower brooch. She is in a setting with stalls in the background, indicating a market or fair.
A woman smiling while wearing a dark brown sweater adorned with a large pink flower brooch, sitting at a table with craft materials in the background.
A woman with glasses seated at a table, wearing a grey t-shirt adorned with a large pink and orange flower. She has long hair with beads and appears to be in a casual setting.
A smiling woman wearing a pink sweater with a felt flower brooch, seated at a table with strands of wool and a crafting tool.
A woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing glasses and a green and white striped top, sits at a table. She has a large purple felt flower pinned to her shirt and is looking to her right. A clear bag with purple craft materials is placed on the table in front of her.

Our Book

A scenic view of sheep grazing in a green field with mountains in the background, accompanied by various felted wool creations including bowls and decorative items.

Interest in our book “Exploring Irish Wool for Felt Making” was high, and several copies were sold.

Three people joined Feltmakers Ireland on the day, with several others expressing interest.

Thank you!

It was a great day, and we must thank Chad and Mary, the Midland Fibre Festival Organisers, and their team of volunteers, all of whom were lovely and very willing to help us in any way they could.

Next year’s Festival will be Sunday, 23 May, 2027, back in Athlone!

Exhibitor Display at the Festival

A display of fashion garments including a pink dress with gold stripes and a grey knitted sweater on mannequins. A grey dress with red accents is visible on a table alongside various artistic items.
Display of some of the Midlands Fibre Festival participants – includes Mary’s tunic (on the table) made with Lena Archbold and Dee and Eva’s pieces, along with fibre from guild member Katarina Hruskova of WoolstoreIE and pink tunic from guild member Karen Bowden of Fabulous Fibres.

The Instagram for the organisers: @midlandsfibrefestival

Volunteer Eva’s Instagram: @feltedvision


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: Instagram Giveaway of 2 Tickets to Midlands Fibre Festival

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional graphic for a giveaway of two free tickets to the Midlands Fibre Festival, featuring participation steps and a map of Ireland with festival branding.

The Midlands Fibre Festival is VERY soon! Want to join us?

Feltmakers Ireland is giving away two tickets, with two winners, each receiving one ticket. We will select the winners at random at 10 PM on Thursday, 8th of October 2026, and contact them via Instagram DM (direct message).

In order to be included, please do the following:

  1. Follow our Feltmakers Ireland Instagram Page – https://www.instagram.com/feltmakers_ireland/
  2. Like and Share the Instagram Post
  3. Tag a Friend in the comments of the Instagram Post

Note: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram.

We Will Be There

At the Midlands Fibre Festival, Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate and share the wonders of feltmaking.

Several of our members will also exhibit their artworks and/or sell fibre-related supplies.

When: Sunday, the 11th of October, 10 AM to 6 PM

Where: Radisson Blu Hotel, Northgate Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, N37 A8X9

For more information about the festival, visit their website: https://www.midlandsfibrefestival.com/

Their Instagram: @midlandsfibrefestival

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: The Alpaca National Show – Includes Crafts from Alpaca – Mullingar

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for the Alpaca National Show 2026, featuring details such as the date (29th March), location (Mullingar Equestrian Centre), and ticket prices. The design includes images of alpacas, visitors interacting with them, and displays from previous events.

The Alpaca Association of Ireland (AAI) is holding their National Halter and Craft Show soon.

When: Sunday, the 29th of March.

Where: Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Athlone Road, Rathcolman, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 EH30

More information at – https://www.alpaca.ie/

@alpacaassociationofireland

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: Alpaca National Halter and Craft Show – Mullingar – Co Westmeath

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Are there any feltmakers who use Alpaca fibre in their work?

The Alpaca Association of Ireland (AAI) is holding its National Halter and Craft Show in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, on Sunday, the 16th of March, 2025.

“Each exhibit must consist of a garment or craft made using A minimum of 50% Alpaca Fibre in the form of raw fibre, yarn/ yarn blend/ or filling.”

The deadline for submissions is the 13th of March.

For more information and to submit an application, visit their website –https://www.alpaca.ie/competitions/craft-competition

The group’s Instagram – @alpacaassociationofireland

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.

Events: Feltmakers Ireland – Two Open Days for August Craft Month

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland2 Comments

This year, Feltmakers Ireland hosts two Open Days for August Craft Month / Heritage Week.

On the 18th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at the CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club
Library Square, Inchicore, Co. Dublin, D08 PA07

On the 25th of August from 11 AM to 3 PM at St James Hall, Dublin Road, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, N91 XA32

Time: Both events run from 11 AM to 3 PM.

This year, we will be teaching how to felt a small round vessel out of wool roving using soapy water and your hands!

Curious about sheep and Irish wool varieties? Explore the unique reactions of different Irish wool types that have been needle and wet felted. There will be an opportunity to browse and purchase our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, a rich resource on forty breeds of Irish-raised sheep.

There will be a display of felted artworks and wearables crafted by our talented members, showcasing the beauty and versatility of feltmaking.

Come to our two free events, part of our parent organisation, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s August Craft Month.

More Events to Experience Felt

Several of our members are hosting individual events for August Craft Month:

Karena Ryan has an open studio in Co Galway on the 5th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/open-studio-and-sale-2/

Tamzen Lundy is offering a workshop in Co Kildare on how to ‘Felt a Funky Feline’– https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/wet-felting-a-funky-feline-full-day-felting/

She also has a children’s felting workshop on the 17th of August, Saturday afternoon, in Kildare Town’s – market square. https://www.tamzenlundydesigns.ie/service-page/kids-feltmaking-taster-workshop

Juliane Gorman has an open studio in Co Dublin on the 25th of August – https://augustcraftmonth.org/acm-event/visit-the-felting-forge-open-studio-of-juliane-gorman-felthappiness-hats/

Joanne Turner will teach a workshop on August 17th at Le Chéile Arts in Dunmanway, Co Cork. More information at this Instagram post – https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kHcndtPwZ/?igsh=bHJiZ3I3NHYxMGc2

Emily Thompson will teach several needlefelting workshops within Co Cork as part of August Craft Month. More information at this Instagram post – https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kMVpfMnt5/?img_index=1

As part of Meath Made Creates, Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt Designs is teaching how to make wet felted flowers on Saturday, the 17th of August, at 2:30 PM – https://swiftculturalcentre.ie/event/meath-made-wet-felt-workshop-with-boann-irish-felt-designs

As part of Meath Made Creates, Lucia Errity will teach how to make a needle-felted landscape on Sunday, the 18th of August, at 10:00 AM. – https://swiftculturalcentre.ie/event/meath-made-felting-the-landscape-with-lucia-errity

If you are a member of Feltmakers Ireland and you are having a felt-related event as part of August Craft Month, please contact us so we can include you in our August Craft Month posts – 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 content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.