Tag: Irish Wool

Education: Sheep Shearing Courses – Co Kerry – July 2027

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Promotional image for a Beginner Sheep Shearing Course at Robbie Hislop Shearing School, featuring a man smiling in front of sheep and a building, with details including dates (19 to 21 July 2027), location (County Kerry, Ireland), and information about free accommodation.
Promotional image for Robbie Hislop Shearing School featuring a shearer in action, with text about an Intermediate and Advanced Shearing Course taking place from 22 to 24 July 2027 in County Kerry, Ireland, including free accommodation.

Two sheep shearing courses offer students a few wonderful days of hands-on learning, traditional skills, and sheep shearing with Robbie Hislop and Anna Wolfe.

Whether you’re picking up the shears for the first time or looking to refine your technique, they have a course for you.

Choose your 3-day course:

Beginner Sheep Shearing Course
When: 19–21 July 2027

Intermediate & Advanced Sheep Shearing Course
When: 22–24 July 2027

Where: Curraghmore Farm, Curragh More, Blackvalley, Co. Kerry, V93 TR77

Come for the skills, stay for the scenery, and experience the craft of sheep shearing in one of Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes.

For more information, visit these links:

https://shearingschool.co.uk/product/beginner-sheep-shearing-course-county-kerry-ireland-19-21-july-2027/

https://shearingschool.co.uk/product/intermediate-advanced-sheep-shearing-course-county-kerry-22-24-july-2027/

The Shearing School website also offers other sheep shearing courses in other locations.

Their Instagram: @curraghmorefarm.ie @wolfpackdogsquad @robbie_hislop @wise_wool_project

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Of Interest: Textile Takeover – Ulster Folk Museum – This Saturday

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A webpage screenshot featuring the Ulster Folk Museum logo and the title 'Textile Takeover' in bold red text.

Explore textiles and sustainability at the Textile Takeover at the Ulster Folk Museum. Shop vintage, learn how to repair clothes, watch weaving and spinning demonstrations, try embroidery and learn from fashion and textile experts.

Guild member Katarina Hruskova of Woolstore Ireland will be there to share about Irish wool.

Fibreshed Ireland will also be at the event, representing another part of Ireland’s growing textile and fibre community.

When: This Saturday, the 10th of October, 11 AM to 4 PM

Where: The Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Rd, Holywood BT18 0EU, United Kingdom

For more information and to book general admission tickets, visit their website: https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/textile-takeover

Their Instagram: @ulsterfolkmuseum @fibreshed_ireland
@niembroideryguild
@tadf_insta
@woolstoreireland @repaircafeni. 

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.

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Of Interest: Fibreshed Ireland – ‘Homegrown, a day of Irish Fibres’ – at NCAD – Dublin Independent Fashion Week

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As part of Dublin Independent Fashion Week, Fibreshed Ireland is hosting a day to show designers and makers what Irish-grown fibres are available.

The “Soil-to-Soil exhibition” features work from members of Fibreshed Ireland (which also includes makers who are members of Feltmakers Ireland).

Learn about the past, present, and future of linen on this island through a documentary and immersive VR experience.

Discover the power of 5% through a hands-on decorative stitches workshop, where attendees get a chance to craft their own signature detail to a garment, using only Irish-grown yarns.

When: Friday, the 11th of September
Where: Harry Clarke Lecture Hall, National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin, D08 K521

The exhibition and the Flax VR experience are open for viewing from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Schedule:
🔸 11:00 – 11:30 AM • ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary screening (free, booking required)
🔸 12:00 – 2:00 PM • Cúpla Snaithe decorative stitches workshop (€20, limited capacity)
🔸 2:15 – 2:45 • ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary screening (free, booking required)
🔸 3:00 – 5:00 PM • Cúpla Snaithe decorative stitches workshop (€20, limited capacity)

For more information and to book your spot for the documentary screening and/or the decorative stitching workshop, visit here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fibreshedireland/2370412


“Homegrown: a day of Irish fibres” has been organised and produced by the following:

  • The Soil-so-Soil exhibition is made up of pieces by Fibreshed Ireland members.
  • Cúpla Snaithe is a project by Fibreshed Ireland member Eva Kerley.
  • The ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary and VR experience was produced by Kathy Kirwan of the Flax Lín community group and Wombat Media.

The production and screening of the ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary and VR experience have been supported by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, managed by the Government of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Instagram:  @fibreshed_ireland @dublin_ifw, @ncad_dublin @cuplasnaithe @evacktextiles @flax_lin @wombatmedia_ie @kathykirwan_theartofnature

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.

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Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: Free Webinar on Research, Innovation & the Future of Irish Wool – this Friday

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The Wool Hub for Research & Innovation has an upcoming webinar exploring how research, enterprise and collaboration can unlock new opportunities across the wool value chain.

Hosted by the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster at Munster Technological University, IRELAND, the webinar brings together researchers, businesses and other contributors working to increase the value, visibility and sustainable use of wool.

Through a series of short presentations, participants will hear about developments in nationally funded wool research and innovation; wool-focused research projects and resources; emerging activity within wool-based businesses and regional partnerships; lessons from the European Wool Day 2026 in Tralee; and international experience in developing more sustainable and resilient wool value chains.

The webinar marks the next phase in revitalising the Wool Hub for Research & Innovation, reconnecting people and organisations working across the wool value chain and identifying themes around which the Hub can support future knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The presentations will be followed by a short moderated discussion and audience Q&A, highlighting shared challenges, emerging opportunities and areas for further exploration.

This public event will be relevant to farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, SMEs, designers, processors, policymakers and anyone interested in increasing the value and visibility of Irish-grown wool.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member, Katarina Hruskova of Woolstore Ireland, is one of the presenters.

When: Friday, the 11th of September at 10 AM (Irish time)

Register in advance: https://bit.ly/4yG1djZ

Instagram:  

@mtu_ie @cabr_centre @woolstoreireland @ulsteruni @hollandswolcollectief @ewe_foundation__

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Exhibition: Native Irish Fibres Material Library Exhibition – NCAD Library Micro Gallery

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There is a ‘Native Irish Fibres Material Library’ exhibition at the micro gallery of the Edward Murphy Library of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD).

It is the work of three NCAD master’s students in the Circular by Design programme, who researched and piloted an online toolkit, a materials library, and an awareness campaign to encourage designers to use more Irish-grown raw materials in their work. Their tutor, Maureen Laverty, and Fibreshed Ireland helped to guide them. Their project was the winner of the Dublin City Council’s ENFUSE competition. A physical book version will be available soon.

Where: NCAD Library, National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin 8, D08 K521

When: Runs until the 28th of August.

Instagram: @ncad_library @ncad_circular.by.design @georgia_makes_shapes @evacktextiles, @almawoolstudio @fibreshed_ireland

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.

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Of Interest: Shaking Bog Festival 2026 – Co Wicklow

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The Shaking Bog Festival returns to the Glencree Valley, County Wicklow, with a programme of writers, artists, dancers, musicians, and nature experts for an event packed with creative engagement and immersive outdoor experience, designed to offer a sense of hope by connecting people more deeply with each other and with the natural world around them.

Reflecting on the traditions of the ancient Irish Bilberry Festival that marks the beginning of the Lughnasa harvest, this year’s Shaking Bog Festival is about gathering – gathering together to celebrate this shared heritage and, as always, our true connection to the natural world.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Sharon Wells, who, with Caroline Byrne, is part of Black Sheep, will be part of an Open Day sharing about Irish Wool on Saturday, the 22nd, as part of the Festival. Exploring the craft of woolmaking, from sheep farming through to the skills of knitting and felting, this event will lead people deep into a creative engagement with land, heritage, art, and nature.

NOTE: This particular event is sold out, but there are tickets available for other events.

When: The Festival runs from Friday, the 21st through Sunday, the 23rd of August

For more information, visit their website: https://www.shakingbog.ie/

Their Instagram: @theshakingbog @sharonwellsart @wicklowarts

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.

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Of Interest: Online Talk about Design Driven by Material Intelligence by Claire Lucy McGovern of Rhyme Studio

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Claire Lucy McGovern of Rhyme Studio will present an online talk on her decades of work with Irish wool, as well as her research on design thinking and the opportunities natural materials present for the future of the built environment.

Rhyme Studio’s recent developments include LanaLux, a system for Light, Sound & Air, and their Architectural Wool Program. Publicly launched during New York Design Week and NeoCon Chicago, LanaLux combines illumination, acoustic performance and material intelligence within a single architectural surface.

When: Wednesday, the 15th of July 2026; 3 PM–4 PM EST (8 PM–9 PM Ireland)

Where: Online via New York Public Library

The talk is free, but one needs to register here: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2026/07/15/design-driven-material-intelligence

Additional information about the project can be found on the Rhyme Studio website: https://www.rhymestudio.com/lighting

Their Instagram @rhymestudioart


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.

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Of Interest: “Notes from Sheepland” – Film Screening in Tallaght – Co Dublin

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On Thursday, the 30th of July, there will be a screening of the film Notes From Sheepland (2024), directed by Cara Holmes.

“Orla Barry is a hard-working, lipstick-wearing sheep farmer in rural Wexford. She is a self-confessed ovine addict. A decade in sheep, she’s still wondering what possessed her to start, but yet she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Orla lived in Brussels for 16 years and now lives and works in South East Ireland where she runs a flock of pedigree Lleyn sheep. Her work deals with the tensions of being an artist and an eco-farmer in rural Ireland. The sheep have slowed her art career but at the same time, caring for them has hugely inspired it. She escapes the studio by going to the sheep, escapes the sheep by hiding in her studio.

Notes From Sheepland follows Orla, an outlier, as she floats between these worlds. It reflects upon the primal, poetic and unpredictable bond she has with the natural world.

This screening forms part of Rua Red’s Learning and Engagement programme for Orla Barry’s exhibition The Collie, The Cheviot & the Crouched Skeleton, which runs from July 10th – September 26th in Rua Red Gallery.”

€3 per ticket, popcorn included.

When: Thursday, the 30th of July, 6-7:30 PM

Where: Rua Red, South Dublin Arts Centre, Tallaght, Dublin, D24 KV8N

To book a ticket, visit this website: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ruarum-film-club-presents-notes-from-sheepland-tickets-1992510057218

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.

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Of Interest: Wool in the News – Peatland Restoration – Antrim Hills

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A new peatland restoration trial at Slievenanee Mountain in the Antrim Hills is exploring whether locally sourced wool can help restore damaged blanket bog.

The initiative, led by Ulster Wildlife and Ulster Farmers’ Union, working alongside Sustainable Rope Ltd, Ulster Wool and Ulster University, is the largest trial of its kind in Northern Ireland to date. There are 60 ‘logs’ made from scoured local wool.

The project involves installing 60 “wool logs” in areas of exposed and eroded blanket bog. Made from scoured fleece compacted into wool textile sacks, the logs are designed to slow water flow, trap sediment, and support the re-establishment of peat-forming vegetation such as sphagnum moss.

Wool, as a material, has already shown promising results in peatland trials elsewhere in the UK, particularly at upland sites in Scotland and northern England, where it has been used to stabilise eroding peat and retain moisture.

UFU Peatlands officer Stephanie Clokey said, “Wool is a natural, biodegradable material and is a logical solution for peatland management. Here we’re helping to rebuild damaged areas by using materials that work with the landscape, while supporting local farmers and adding value to something that has recently often been treated as a waste product rather than a resource, while creating new opportunities for what is often an underused by-product of farming.”

To learn more about the project, visit their website – https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/news/local-wool-put-test-innovative-peatland-restoration-trial

@ulsterwildlife

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.

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Of Interest: Galway Wool Co-op’s 6th Annual Meitheal – Co Galway

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Two sheep peering through a fence with text overlay announcing the 6th National Harvest of Irish Wool from Ireland's Native Breed called The Galway.

Save the Date: The Galway Wool Co-op will host their 6th National Harvest of Irish Wool from Ireland’s native sheep breed. This year, the Meitheal will be open to the public, and all are invited!

When: Saturday, the 18th of July, 10 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: Athenry Co-operative Livestock Mart, Prospect, Athenry, Co Galway, H65 DW74

More information about the Galway Wool Co-op on their website – https://galwaywool.ie/

Their Instagram @thegalwaywoolco_op

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.

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Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.