Tag: Irish Wool

News: Crafts of Ireland Shortlisted for Sustainability Champion Award – Showcase 2025

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmaker Ireland’s guild member Sandra Coote’s business, Crafts of Ireland, is a finalist for the Sustainability Champion Award supported by the Local Enterprise Office of Cavan at Showcase 2025. The awards will take place on Monday, 20th of January, at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event. The shortlisted companies were selected from the 105 Local Enterprise clients who will exhibit to national and international buyers from the 19th – 21st of January.

The Awards

The awards are divided into three categories: Best Newcomer, which recognises the top craft and design business making its debut; One to Watch, which highlights a business with outstanding export and international potential; and Sustainability Champion, which celebrates the craft and design business leading the way in sustainability.

Crafts of Ireland

Rooted in a sixth-generation family farm in County Cavan, Crafts of Ireland is a business devoted to preserving and promoting traditional Irish crafts and skills. Serving as both a craft studio and a heritage hub, it offers an array of experiences, workshops, and handcrafted products that celebrate Ireland’s cultural heritage. Their Irish Wool Needle Felting Kits feature fibre from their own rare Irish Roscommon Sheep, along with wool sourced from local farmers.

Find Crafts of Ireland at Stand L47 – https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/crafts-of-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.

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.

News: Irish Wool in the News – Galway Co-op and Woolin Schools

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Galway Wool Co-op won a prestigious EU Award, and the founder of Woolin Schools, Lorna McCormack, spoke at the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) in Turkey.

Galway Wool Co-op

The Galway Wool Co-op received recognition as a ‘Highly Commended Project’ at the EU CAP Network’s Agricultural and Rural Inspiration Awards (ARIA) 2024, held in Brussels.

Now in its sixth year, the ARIA awards celebrate European projects that exemplify best practices within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework, focusing on sustainability, innovation, social inclusion, and resilience. Artist and curator Michelle Hickey Legge received the award on behalf of the Co-op.

For further information, read the full article on Agriland – https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/galway-wool-co-op-wins-prestigious-eu-award/

Lorna McCormack of Woolin Schools

In December, the International Wool Textile Organisations‘ (IWTO) annual Wool Round Table convened the global wool textile industry in Istanbul, fostering networking and knowledge exchange.  More than 80 attendees represented the wool industries of 26 countries. 

The event featured key sessions on Wool Market Intelligence, Wools of Europe, Wool Education and Advocacy, and Sustainability. Lorna McCormack, founder of Woolin Schools, joined Matthew J. Rowe of Campaign for Wool Canada and Peter Ackroyd of Campaign for Wool to discuss wool education and advocacy.

For more information about the event, visit the Woolin School website – https://woolinschool.com/news/f/iwto-round-table-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.

The Book: Wrap up the Magic of Irish Wool this Christmas – ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

While Merino wool often takes centre stage in textile discussions, Feltmakers Ireland’s book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, introduces readers to the rich diversity of Irish wool. Featuring 40 breeds of sheep raised in Ireland, the book dives deep into each breed’s fibre characteristics, highlighting how their wool can be used for wet and needle-felting techniques. It’s an eye-opening journey into the potential of locally sourced fibres that are often overlooked.

Practical and Inspirational

Packed with tips, tricks, and hands-on advice, this book is a go-to resource for anyone looking to prepare, dye, and work with wool using simple, natural ingredients.

What’s Inside

  • Felt
  • The Project
  • Sourcing, washing, and preparing fleece for felting
  • Dyeing wool
  • Getting started using plant dyes
  • Felting with raw wool
  • The breeds tested and a few words about the samples
  • Suppliers and washers/carders
  • Acknowledgements
  • Bibliography
  • Glossary
  • Index

Support Sustainability

Give a gift that champions eco-friendly practices. By exploring and using local wool, readers can preserve traditional skills, support local farmers, and reduce reliance on imported materials.

Order Today

This Christmas, give the gift of craft, connection, and creativity. ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking‘ is perfect for fibre artists, crafters, and anyone who loves learning about heritage and sustainable living.

Find your copy on our website and bring the beauty of Irish wool to someone special – https://feltmakersireland.com/exploring-irish-wool-for-feltmaking/


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.

News: Feltmakers Ireland’s Wool Book Featured in ‘Going the Dodo Way’ Blog

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Feltmakers Ireland’s wool book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, was recently featured in the blog of feltmaker and educator Vanda Sousa (Going the Dodo Way). It’s an excellently written article that covers our book! In addition, Vanda covers two other projects working with local wool on the Iberian peninsula.

To read the blog post about our Irish and other local wools, visit Vanda Sousa’s website – https://www.vandafsousa.com/blog/wet-felting-with-local-wool

Editor’s Note: Going the Dodo Way blog has several highly recommended articles that are both practical and thoughtful. Here are five (there are many more!)

If you are a wet-feltmaker, Vanda’s blog contains valuable and exciting information! There is a Felting Resources section on her website, and she teaches online courses. You can ensure that you will not miss any of her blog posts by subscribing to her email newsletter – https://www.vandafsousa.com/updates


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: Wonders of Wool – Irish Design Week – Limerick

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

From luxury fashion to technical composites, wool fibre has a wide range of applications. Join ‘Wonders of Wool’ for this Irish Design Week event and discover more about the wonders of wool. This event will be hosted by Limerick School of Art and Design, with artists and designers presenting their current projects, including;

There will be an opportunity to get involved in a BIG KNIT and a weaving workshop, which will welcome participation from attendees.

This workshop/open studio event follows on from the ‘Wonderful Wool’ event at the University of Ulster, which had over 120 attendees.

Join us to talk to makers, creators and presenters from across the island of Ireland who are harnessing the wonders of wool!

Supported by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and the Irish Grown Wool Council.

Refreshments included.

To book, visit the ticket page on Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wonders-of-wool-design-week-2024-tickets-1046774429497

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: Irish Wool Celebration Day – Film Screening and All Ages Wet Felting Workshop – Wise Wool Project

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

The Wise Wool Project will celebrate Irish Wool at Kate Kearneys Cottage in the Gap of Dunloe, Co Kerry, on Saturday, the 9th of November, from 11 AM onwards.

The event will include workshops, demonstrations, storytelling, screenings, discussion panels, and music, celebrating the Wise Wool Project and its culmination.

Join in on the celebrations, which will bring together local fibre artists, sheep farmers, and the wider community to better understand how to create something from this valuable resource. This is a unique event for those interested in creating a solution to the current wool waste dilemma.

Bookings are required for two of the events (which are free). See below for links.

  • The Wet Felting Workshop with Irish Wool for ages 6+ from 11 AM to 12 PM.
  • The film screening of ‘Notes from Sheepland’ at 3 PM.

For more information and to book your free tickets to the film, visit this website – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thenaturehub/1405268?

For information about the wet felting workshop, visit this website – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thenaturehub/1405267?

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: Fantastic Day at the Dublin Fibre Festival

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland1 Comment

On Saturday, the 26th of September, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland shared feltmaking with visitors to the Dublin Fibre Festival. We increased awareness of our guild, demonstrated feltmaking (wet and needlefelting), sold many copies of our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, and sold felted pieces created by some of our volunteers.

We were so busy at times that you could barely see our table!

It was a fantastic day! Many thanks to indie yarn designer Mira Isan, the Dublin Fibre Festival’s organiser, for seeing the need for a Dublin-based textile event and for her skills in pulling off this endeavour! Also, thank you to committee member Adrienne Dempsey for organising our two tables and volunteers. Additional thanks to our volunteers: From A-Z, Lorna Cady, Deirdre Carroll, Loli Cox, Sam Fagan, Irina Lampadova, and Evija Mezaka.

Our Book

Here is a photograph of Adrienne sharing ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’ with Ann Gunning of Beechwood Blues Texel Sheep – her wool is in the book!

Adrienne and Ann Gunning

Our Display

Here are some of the many photographs from the lovely experience.

  • All ready!
  • Adrienne, Loli, and Irina
  • Sam sharing the craic with Eva
  • Sam and Eva
  • Adrienne
  • Deirdre
  • Eva and Lorna
  • Loli wearing a felted neckpiece
  • More display
  • Adrienne with display
  • Loli with a happy customer
  • Loli with her needlefelted work

Our Members with Stalls

Two members of Feltmakers Ireland also participated at the Dublin Fibre Festival: Sandra King from Irish Fibre Crafters and Juliane Gorman from FeltHappiness Hats.

Friend of the Guild, Malú Colorín, represented Fibreshed Ireland.

Sandra King and friend at Irish Fibre Crafters
Lorna Cady visiting Juliane Gorman’s FeltHappiness
Sandra King visiting Malú at FIbreshed Ireland’s booth

Other Vendors

There was a wide variety of vendors at the event, including several with local Irish-raised wool.

Windrush Farm had wool from their sheep, needlefelting kits, and gives craft workshops
Boyne Valley Wools had Jacob wool from their sheep.

Other Friends of FI

  • Cons Creations – needlefelt
  • Sam with Liberties College friends: Maggie, and Margaret

    The Dublin Fibre Festival was a wonderful day, and we are so glad to be a part of this inaugural event! Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

    Note: there are a couple of videos from the event over on our social media:

    Instagram page – https://www.instagram.com/feltmakers_ireland/

    Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/feltmakersireland/

    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: 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.

    Of Interest: Wool in the News

    Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

    Although these articles aren’t specifically about feltmaking, the efforts of the following companies and organisations to promote locally-raised wool are exciting news.

    Cushendale Woolen Mills

    There’s an interesting article about the long history and recent activities of Cushendale Woollen Mills in Agriland.

    To read the article and watch a video that shows Galway Irish wool being processed into yarn and then woven, visit the Agriland website – https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/from-kilkenny-to-ny-textiles-crafted-at-cushendale-woollen-mills/

    Irish Sweater Article


    As many felters in Ireland know, new Aran jumpers sold in shops rarely contain Irish-raised wool as the public expects the softness of Merino, which is not a sheep that can thrive in Ireland. It is helpful to see this information being shared with the public.

    To read the article, visit the Irish Examiner’s website – https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/outdoors/arid-41490926.html

    Great British Wool Revival Website

    The Great British Wool Revival has been set up as a central platform for sharing knowledge and resources to support the goal of elevating British wool. The website offers information on devising a supply chain, case studies of designers working with local fibre, downloadable worksheets to help users understand a product’s wool journey, and much more. There are many resources on the website! Note: Some Irish-based businesses are also included on the map.

    For more information (and to play with their nifty interactive map), visit their website – https://www.greatbritishwoolrevival.co.uk/

    Ériu Interviewed on RTE Countrywide

    Ériu is an Irish company that produces Irish wool blankets. In a short program on Countrywide, co-founder Zoë Daly spoke of the importance and benefits of using local Irish wool in their knitted blankets.

    To listen to the program, visit the RTE website – https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22428332/

    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: Irish Wool Events at Dingle Food Festival

    Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

    Several wool-related events are scheduled for this year’s Dingle Food Festival.

    The Irish Grown Wool Council will participate in the Wool Marquee at the Dingle Food Festival this Saturday and Sunday.

    In addition, Wool in School will share its ‘Feirm VR’, their agricultural virtual reality program that enables viewers to understand the importance of wool and shearing in relation to sustainable farming practices.

    The virtual reality experience of ‘Future Tapestry‘ will also be shown. It is an artistic response to Irish wool production’s history, legacy, and contemporary currency, developed following a research period with sheep farmers who harvest wool. The work is directed and produced by artist John Conway, with a virtual reality experience by Nóho. It is structured around an ode written and performed by theatre maker Aisling Byrne – a verbatim text based on her engagement and conversations with Kildare Sheep Farmers.

    On Saturday and Sunday, panel discussions will be at 2 PM.

    For more information about the event, visit the festival’s website – https://www.dinglefood.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.