On Sunday, the 1st of June and Monday, the 2nd of June, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate wet and needlefelting at the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland‘s Irish Craft Village, at Bord Bia Bloom in Phoenix Park. We will be in the central pavilion within Area 26, near the Conservation Area. Our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’, will also be for sale, along with some of our members’ works. Come by and say, ‘Hello’!
Feltmakers Ireland guild member Caoimhe Tuthill (Boann Irish Felt) will display her felted work at the MeathMade booth, Grand Pavilion stand G117.
This June bank holiday weekend (Thursday, May 29th– Monday, June 2nd, 2025), Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s most unique gardening, food, and sustainable living festival, returns for its 19th year.
Filled with colour and creativity, the event heralds the start of summer with a dazzling display of glorious gardens, fabulous food, and enthralling entertainment to entice visitors of all ages.
Spanning a 70-acre site in Dublin’s leafy Phoenix Park, Bord Bia Bloom is one of the country’s largest outdoor experiences, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. This year, visitors can soak up the sights, sounds, and tastes of summer over five buzzing days packed with live entertainment, talks, interactive workshops, dining, shopping, and so much more.
Bord Bia Bloom offers abundant opportunities to grow, taste, and learn. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster, and two children can go free with each adult ticket purchased.
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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Have you had the chance to visit ‘Symbols of Ireland’, the stunning exhibition by Feltmakers Ireland? If not, now is your last opportunity! The exhibition, showcasing the incredible talent of 47 members, is in its final week at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.
Featuring a diverse range of textile artistry, ‘Symbols of Ireland’ includes intricate needle and wet felting techniques displayed through wall art, sculptures, and wearable creations. Each piece tells a story, representing elements of Ireland’s rich culture and heritage through the unique medium of felt.
The exhibition is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with a slightly earlier closing time of 3 PM on Sunday, its final day.
Whether you’re an admirer of textile art, a craft enthusiast, or simply looking for an inspiring outing, don’t miss this chance to experience the beauty and creativity of Irish feltmaking.
Visit before it’s gone – and immerse yourself in the textures, colours, and symbolism that define this remarkable exhibition.
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.
Catalogue for Feltmakers Ireland’s exhibition, ‘Symbols of Ireland’.
On Sunday, the 2nd of March, First Lady Sabina Higgins launched Feltmakers Ireland’s exhibition, ‘Symbols of Ireland’. To accompany the show, we created an online catalogue to share with the Office of the President, the 47 artists involved, our members, and the public.
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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 Poster for Feltmakers Ireland’s group exhibition in March.
Feltmakers Ireland is delighted to present ‘Symbols of Ireland’, a group exhibition celebrating the country’s rich cultural heritage through the art of felt. Sabina Higgins will officially launch* the exhibition on Sunday, the 2nd of March, at 3 PM.
This showcase explores Ireland’s iconic imagery and deep-rooted traditions through the versatile medium of wool—ranging from imported Merino fibre to locally raised Irish wool. Featuring an array of techniques, including wet felting and needle felting, members of Feltmakers Ireland have created striking three-dimensional sculptures, wall art, and wearable pieces, each offering a unique interpretation of Irish symbolism.
The exhibition runs from Wednesday, the 5th of March, to Sunday, the 30th of March 30th, 2025, at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre Gallery. Please note: the Centre is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. (This may change if there is an increase in staffing. We will know more by the middle of the month).
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.
Over the June Bank holiday, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland spent two days at the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s Irish Craft Village within Bord Bia’s Bloom 2024 in Phonix Park. Our volunteers shared the wonders of transforming fluff into felt.
Irish Craft Village Sign – Photo by Sam Fagan
Most of all, Feltmakers Ireland wants to thank theDesign and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) for giving us such an excellent marquee and display opportunity in the Craft’s Demonstration Booth at Bloom. We especially want to thank Geraldine Gray (of the DCCI ) and her sister Catherine for their support, helpfulness, and friendship on-site over the two days.
The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s Irish Craft Village – Photo by Sam Fagan
Our Booth
The public enjoyed watching volunteers show how to wet felt and needle-felt.
The photo on the left is early in the day – Photo by Loli Cox. The one on the right shows how popular our booth was – Photo by Sam Fagan.
Annika with samples of Irish Wool Breeds – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Irish Wool Breed Felted Samples – Photo by Sam Fagan
Annika’s 3D fish and butterflies attracted much interest, as did other artworks on display.
Fishes and Butterfhly – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
3D Butterflies by Annika Berglund – Photo by Sam Fagan
Hélène Dooley’s spiral in the foregraound.
A busy booth – Photo by Hélène Dooley
Tamzen Lundy demonstrated wet feltmaking by creating a Mr Fantastic Fox. Her cute, wee-felted animals on display are terrific. You can find her work at Tamzen Lundy Designs.
Tamzen promoting wet feltmaking. (See below)
Tamzen demonstrating
Tamzen chatting with the public – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Marian Fagan demonstrated needle felting and how she makes puppets of the various characters in children’s books for her granddaughter as they share the joy of reading. (See photo below).
Marian demonstrating feltmaking – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Loli Cox, Marian, and Annika were busy demonstrating.
Loli, Marian, and Annika talking with the public – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
In the afternoon, Joanne Foley (in the yellow dress) demonstrated the process of creating her animal portraits. (See photograph below).
More sharing of feltmaking at Bloom – Joanne Foley, Lorna Cady, Margaret Ryan Collings, and Annika Berglund – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Guild member Caoimhe Tuthill of Boann Irish Felt exhibited her beautiful work in the main pavilion with MeathMade. (See below).
Caoimhe Tuthill at the MeathMade Booth – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Day 2
Saturday was busy, and Hélène Dooley started us off by demonstrating wet felting flowers and displaying her felted vessels. The red-coloured, hanging felted spiral is from an online class she teaches at the Felting and Fiber Studio. (See photo below).
Helene demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Hélène demonstrated and answered curious questions.
Hélène, Lory Cotti Cottini, and Annika demonstrating, below. Annika promoted Feltmakers Ireland and encouraged the interested public to become members of the guild.
Helene, Lory, and Annika sharing the wonders of feltmaking – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Siobhan Ryan, Sam Fagan, Elaine Peden, and Annika at Bloom.
Siobhan, Sam, Elaine, and Annika demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Elain Peden demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Elaine and Annika share feltmaking with the public. (Below).
Elaine and Annika – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Siobhan demonstrates her unique artwork.
Siobhan demonstrating – Photo by Maria Mc Garry
Valerie Nowak O’Ceallaigh shared her needle-felted horse portrait.
Photo by Valerie
Conclusion
Many thanks to Maria Mc Garry and Annika Berglund for coordinating this year’s Feltmakers Ireland booth at Bloom! Also, thanks to all the members, who also volunteered their time during the busy bank holiday weekend.
Elaine, Annika, and Maria pictured – Photo by Sam Fagan
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.
Volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will be demonstrating wet and needlefelting at Bloom 2024. Stop by and say ‘hello’, see the magic of feltmaking, learn about our Wool Project, and purchase our book, ‘Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking’.
Where: We will be in the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s ‘Irish Craft Village’ in the YELLOW section, area 26, in the GANS Crafts Demonstration booth.
When: The Guild will be in the booth on Friday, the 31st of May, and Saturday, the 1st of June, from 11 AM to 5 PM. (Bloom runs from the 30th of May to the 3rd of June).
Note: we will be closer to the Red Car Park.
There will be free shuttle buses from Heuston Station.
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.
Success and Failure are the products of the same process.
I enjoy the magical process of felting. Experimenting with different colours, mixing and blending of natural little fibres that are joined together into an inseparable fabric gives a feeling of mindfulness and satisfaction.
Karena Ryan
Karena Ryan – ‘Eclipsed’
‘Eclipsed’ represents a time to bask in the glow – be luminous.
Over 5000 years ago our ancient Irish astronomers were predicting solar eclipses and welcomed this festival of light with the world’s oldest known solar eclipse carved on stone megaliths at Loughcrew Cairn, County Meath. What may have been important has been overshadowed by what actually matters and what now radiates are new opportunities and fresh beginnings.
Annika Berglund
Annika Berglund – ‘Getting to know the other’
In life, between birth and death, we experience many ups and downs; we feel joy and despair.
However much we would like to only have the good times, they would not be the same if things were never bad. Achievement is not as satisfying without the risk of failure.
Focussing on the positive but accepting the balance of opposing forces in our lives might be a path to harmony and growth.
Marie Dunne
Marie Dunne – ‘Lava flow’
The volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland in March 2024 was the inspiration for my piece ‘Lava Flow’. Hot and Cold. Fire and Ice.
Elaine Peden
Elaine Peden – ‘Formations in Colour’
“A life lived in colour where there is “”no opposite””. I am currently investigating the abstraction of the idea of ‘Opposite’, looking at the absence of colour.
How colour can create an emotional response and when colour is blended.
‘Opposite’ becomes ‘One'”
Marika Miklosi Manning
Marika Miklosi Manning – ‘Felted study, untitled’
The challenge here was to combine felt work with another material of opposing characteristics and create a harmonious piece of work. I chose nylon string 0.50mm thick/ 12kg, usually used for suspending objects or fishing, etc. I see this piece as a study to see how the two materials can be combined to complement each other. The soft felt as a background to the qualities of the unyielding nylon string, which, through that combination, creates patterns of transparent 3D circles.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM to 4 PM daily. On Sunday, the 26th the show closes at 2 PM.
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.
Valerie Nowak-O’Ceallaigh – ‘A circle in a square’
Without opposites, there is no life For without darkness, there is no light For without roughness, there is no softness For without inside, there is no outside For without rain, there is no rainbow. Opposites attract to create life
My piece is created to surprise, intrigue and engage the visitors. Each visitor is encouraged to use their flashlight to investigate the inside of the wool felted tunnel. They will then discover the harbour of Dalkey under a rainbow after the rain. The front of the frame is voluntarily dark to reveal an explosion of colours while you venture inside. Using those contrasts, I show how opposites attract and create a new dimension.
Helena Mc Guinness
Helena Mc Guinness – ‘Eye of the storm’
‘Opposites Attract’- based on a raindrop caught between two weather fronts. A storm on one side of the piece and bright sunshine on the other. A rainbow forms, made up of many raindrops. In this piece, ‘The Eye Of The Storm’, we see a double rainbow. So joyous in the sky!
Eithne O’Dea
Eithne O’Dea – ‘Night and Day’
When I thought about the exhibition theme, ‘Opposites Attract’, the term ‘Night and Day’ came into my mind- you can’t have one without the other. The recent solar eclipse developed this thought further, and the fanciful image of the Moon passing the Sun was born!
Eva Salamon
Eva Salamon – ‘Law of Nature’
Something new is always born out of decay: Death follows Life, and Life follows Death…
These two elements are constantly at work, form an eternal cycle, drawn to each other because they cannot exist without one another…
I dedicate this piece/artwork to my mother, who just returned to this cycle.
Juliane Gorman
Juliane Gorman – ‘Balancing’
My artwork, ‘Balancing’, delves into the dual nature of our dependence on oil. Just as opposites attract, our reliance on oil draws us in with promises of convenience, power, and economic prosperity while simultaneously repelling us with the ecological devastation and social inequality it perpetuates. Through my piece of felted headwear, I encourage reflection on this complex relationship and the need for sustainability.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
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 idea of creating a moth in wool came about after I was thinking about what the opposite of feltmaking is and what do textile artists really dislike or fear.
Many people are only familiar with the clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) or house moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) but don’t realise that there are over 1400 species of moths in Ireland, including the beautiful Garden Tiger (Arctia caja). Only two of these moths will eat your clothes. Many are large and colourful but only come out at night, so they are seldom seen.
Sadly, there is a trend towards the use of plastic grass, non-native plants and paving, which has led to a significant decline in these important pollinators.
Elizabeth Redding
Elizabeth Redding – ‘Day and Night’
I chose the theme of ‘Day and Night’ as opposites, as each attracts their own. The daytime sun attracts butterflies, bees, birds, and flowers. The moon at night attracts many nocturnal animals and birds.
Joanne Foley
Joanne Foley – ‘Pebbles’
In my felt art for this ‘Opposites Attract’ exhibition, l explored the profound bond that l had with my beloved dog Pebbles, who sadly passed away a year ago. Upon her passing, l preserved a portion of her fur with the intention of some day crafting a poignant felted portrait which l would felt her fur into.
The theme of this exhibition resonated deeply with me, providing the perfect impetus to embark on this heartfelt creation.
Unlike the docile nature of sheep, Pebbles was a spirited and independent soul, who possessed an unwavering individuality. She was very much her own ‘dog’ and would make up her mind very determinedly about what other canines she liked and didn’t, much to my great embarrassment.
This piece serves as a testament to her beautiful, unique character and is a tribute to my cherished companion, Pebbles, who touched my life in so many ways and whom I miss dearly.
Sandra Chase
Sandra Chase – ‘Best Friends’
These best friends have very different, even opposite personalities. The dog chases, and the cat runs. On arrival home, the dog shows excitement of your return by jumping, dancing in circles, and paying you lots of attention. The cat will show you that she appreciates your presence but in a quieter, less excited way. In the right environment, they put their differences aside and become Best Friends.
Loli Cox
Loli Cox – ‘Yin Yang Ewe’
‘Yin Yang Ewe’ was inspired by the belief that everything in the universe consists of two forces that are opposing but complementary. One cannot exist without the other, but together, the black and white sheep create an idyllic Irish countryside.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
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 art exhibition ‘Opposites Attract’ features pieces by 38 Feltmakers Ireland members. Each artist interpreted the theme in her own way. Read on to find out their inspiration.
The Series
The complete series of posts on our Members’ Inspiration can be found here:
All things in the universe exist as inseparable and contrasting opposites. My piece represents yin-yang as equal opposites that attract and complement each other. Never connecting but always balanced.
Caitríona Nolan
Caitríona Nolan – ‘Red and green should never be seen’
The title of the exhibition, ‘Opposites Attract’, made me think of colours that bounce off each other but also work well together and are eye-catching. Red and green are opposite each other on the colour wheel. The saying that came to mind goes, ‘Red and green should never be seen except upon an Irish Queen’.
Margaret Ryan Collins
Margaret Ryan Collins – ‘Spirals of Life’
‘Spirals of Life’ is influenced by the double spirals found at Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange) and on other ancient Irish monuments. These spirals are seen as a representation of balance between two opposing but inextricably linked factors, eg life and death, light and dark, creation and destruction, day and night, as in our theme, ‘Opposites Attract’. So, my interpretation wants to show the link to the theme in a similar fashion, to that demonstrated by our forefathers and foremothers.
The continuous flow and change of the River Boyne as it passes the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth.
These spectacular structures have proudly stood in the Boyne Valley landscape for over 5000 years.
Our ancestors utilized the river’s ebb and flow to skilfully transport these megaliths to their sacred sites in County Meath.
The shawl’s design features the megalithic art carved into Newgrange’s entrance stone and the various shades of blue signify the meandering course of the River Boyne as it flows out to sea.
Immersing ourselves in nature reminds us of our ancient and spiritual connection and our deep interdependence to the earth, sky, water, land, rocks, stars, moon, and sun.
Fiona Leech
Fiona Leech – ‘Calm and chaos’
Sometimes in life we get thrown a curve ball that can cause disruption and chaos. When this happens, I try to weave some calmness into my life by hanging out with nature. I tried to show this by using the intensity of reds, oranges and dark, urban colours in contrast with the lightness of greens and yellows found in nature around us.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about what inspires these artists. ‘Opposites Attract’ is at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre until the 26th of May.
The gallery is open from 10 AM until 4 PM daily.
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.
Feltmakers Ireland 