Exhibitions: 2 Art Exhibitions Open in Dublin This Week

Dublin is buzzing with creativity this week as two milestone exhibitions open, each celebrating decades of artistry and community.

Sculpture in Context – 40th Anniversary Show at the National Botanic Gardens

One of Ireland’s most beloved annual art events, Sculpture in Context, has returned after a hiatus to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin for its 40th year. The exhibition transforms the gardens into an open-air gallery, with sculptures of every scale and style nestled among the trees, glasshouses, and landscaped grounds. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of work from established and emerging artists, with pieces that playfully interact with their natural surroundings.

Three of Feltmakers Ireland’s members have pieces in the show: Ramona Farrelly, Juliane Gorman, and Fiona Leech.

When: Thursday, the 4th of September to Friday, the 10th of October.

Where: National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Dublin 9, D09 E7F2.

For more information, visit their website – https://sculptureincontext.ie/

Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers – 50th Anniversary Show at the Lexicon Library

Meanwhile, in Dun Laoghaire, the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers (IGWSD) is marking its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition at the dlr Lexicon Library. Showcasing the craft traditions of weaving, spinning, and dyeing, the exhibition highlights both heritage techniques and contemporary textile art.

Visitors will see a rich variety of textures and colours—handwoven fabrics, intricate patterns, and natural dyes that speak to the Guild’s commitment to preserving and evolving Ireland’s textile heritage.

Two of Feltmakers Ireland members have work in the show: Juliane Gorman and Sharon Wells.

When: From the 4th to the 19th of September.

Where: Lexicon Library, Queen’s Road, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 H283.

The guild is also offering two workshops in celebration of this occasion.

  • A drop spindle workshop on Saturday, the 6th of September, 11 AM to 2 PM; (40 euros)
  • A rigid heddle workshop on Saturday, the 13th of September, from 11 AM to 3 PM. (50 euros) .

To reserve a spot, contact the Guild Secretary at hello@weavespindye.ie

For more information, visit their website – https://weavespindye.ie/

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

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: World Wide Spin in Public – Two Locations in 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.

Event: The Second Big Spin – Dublin

The Second Big Spin - 24th of August

As part of August Craft Month, the Irish Guild of the Weavers, Spinners and Dyers is holding the ‘Second Big Spin’, tomorrow, Saturday, the 24th of August.

Spinners of all levels are welcome, bring your wheel or spindle. Weavers are also very welcome to bring their inkle looms, rigid heddle looms, etc. There is no charge to attend the Big Spin. Both members and non-members are welcome.

For more information, visit, their website – https://weavespindye.ie/

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.

Event: Tour de Fleece – Spinning Together

From our friends at the Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers (IGWSD): Get ready to spin into the yarn-tastic world of the Tour de Fleece! It’s like the Tour de France, but with a twist – spinners pedal their spinning wheels of creativity alongside the cycling action. Set your spinning goals, try out new techniques, and bond with fellow spinners as you conquer fibre mountains.

Join the IGWSD’s unofficial Team Ireland for a chill, stress and pressure-free spin-a-thon from June 29th to July 21st. Let’s spin some yarn each day and have a wheelie good time – contact the IGWSD if you’re keen! https://weavespindye.ie/contact-2/

For more information about the Tour de Fleece, which is in its 18th year, visit ‘Spin Off’ magazine’s website – https://spinoffmagazine.com/tour-de-fleece-coming-ready/

Or check out the free forums on Ravelry to join the online spinning community – https://www.ravelry.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.

Event: The Big Spin – Solas Garden Centre Portarlington – 15th June

Via our colleagues at The Irish Guild of Spinners, Weavers, & Dyers (IGSWD): The Big Spin is a giant social gathering of Spinners (and weavers and dyers) at the Solas Garden Centre in Portarlington on Sat 15th June, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

There will be a donation box on the day, with a suggested payment of €5 per spinner/craftsperson attending to cover the cost of renting the space. Solas has a coffee shop that serves hot food. Participants can bring picnics if desired. There are tables provided.

What a fantastic way to meet other spinners from around the country and have an absolute ball of a day!

If you have questions, contact the secretary at IGSWD – https://weavespindye.ie/contact-2/

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.

Event: Worldwide Spin in Public Day this Saturday

The Irish Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers is hosting an event to celebrate World Wide Spin in Public Day on Saturday, 16th September.

This event will be held at the Green Kitchen and Garden Shop, Walkinstown Green, Dublin 12, Eircode D12 AW22, from 11 AM until 3 PM. There will be some spindles available to try out and a wheel or two. Members will help you get started if you need some help.

Bus 123 stops on Walkinstown Green, and it comes from Griffith Avenue on the Northside, through the centre of the city and out to Walkinstown. Bus stops in the city are on College Green or D’Olier Street. Please consult the online timetable for times and other stops. Walkinstown Road and Walkinstown Avenue are easily accessible from the M50/M7 junction if you are travelling from outside Dublin. You will be able to purchase refreshments at the cafe.

Details of events worldwide are found here at https://www.facebook.com/groups/wwsipday/