Tag: RDS

Of Interest: Textile Workshops at the 50 Plus Show – RDS Dublin

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for The 50 Plus Show, a lifestyle event for older people, featuring smiling adults and event details including dates, location, and activities.

There are several textile workshops on offer at the Senior Times’ 50 Plus Show, taking place in March at the RDS in Dublin. There are more 50 Plus Shows scheduled in other cities later in the year: Limerick, Sligo, Cork, and Galway.

Textile and Art Related Workshops

  • 10:30 AM – Water Marbling (Arts & Crafts Stand). Turn your work on paper into a silk scarf with Asta Jackobson (Asta will also be holding further workshops on the Asta Fashions Stand)
  • 10:30 AM – Weaving Workshop with Seamus Kirwan (Wool Experience Stand)
  • 11:30 AM – Weaving Workshop with Seamus Kirwan (Wool Experience Stand)
  • 12 PM – “Joyful Stitching” with Tamara Fiabane (Arts & Crafts Stand) A mixture of needle felting and embroidery to create a flat piece of art, which can be a sheep, a bee or something of your imagination.
  • 1 PM – Painting Workshop with Dublin Art Classes (Arts & Crafts Stand). Take home a small original painting
  • 2 PM- Wool Spinning Workshop with Seamus Kirwan (Wool Experience Stand)
  • 2:30 PM – Painting Workshop with Dublin Art Classes (Arts & Crafts Stand). Take home a small original painting

When: Thursday, the 12th – Friday, the 13th of March, 2026

Where: RDS Dublin, Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

For more information and to register, visit their website – https://seniortimes.ie/50-plus-expo/

Editor’s Note: The Registration is via a calendar app that isn’t as obvious as it could be. To find it, click on the Blue Circle Button (The Pink Arrow is for emphasis). See the images below to find where to click and what the registration form looks like.

Or you can contact the organisers by email to register: brian@slp.ie

Image gallery image
Where to find the Blue Button to register
Event booking form with fields for name, email, phone number, date and time, quantity, comment, and a send button.
Screenshot of the Booking Form

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: Panel Talk on Bio Materials in Textile and Fashion – Showcase Ireland

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Event promotion for Showcase Ireland featuring a panel discussion titled 'Grown, Gathered, Made: Rethinking Irish Materials'. The image includes the logo of Showcase Ireland, names and titles of speakers Aoife McNamara, Conor O'Brien, Niamh Ni Catháin, and moderator Alison Gault.


At Showcase Ireland this Monday, there will be a panel talk, ‘Grown, Gathered, Made: Rethinking Irish Materials’. Three emerging Irish designers will share how they work with local and natural materials to create sustainable, culturally rooted products that connect with consumers.

Moderated by Alison Gault of Ulster University, the panel will consist of fashion designer Aoife McNamara, knitwear designer Conor O’Brien, and textile designer and researcher Niamh Ní Catháin.

Where: Showcase Ireland, The Inspiration Stage, RDS Dublin, Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

When: Monday, the 19th of January, at 3 PM

A recording of the talk will be available at a later date.

For more information, visit the Irish Grown Wool Council’s website – https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/irish-grown-wool-council-panel-talk-at-showcase-2026/

This panel talk is supported by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

Instagram links – @showcase_ireland @irish_grown_wool_council_ @dccireland @aoifemcnamarax, @conorobrienstudio @niamhnicathain   @ulsteruni 

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: Guild Member Emily A Thompson at Showcase Ireland – RDS

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Business card for needle felting artist Emily A Thompson, featuring a sheep design and details of her showcase stand at the Local Enterprise Office.

From the Showcase Ireland website: Each year, over 3,350 buyers from Ireland, the UK, the USA, Mainland Europe, and Asia attend the three-day to-the-trade event, which generates sales orders exceeding €25.6 million.

In previous years, several members of Feltmakers Ireland have participated in the annual trade fair.

This year, member Emily A. Thompson will be exhibiting her needle-felted work at Showcase Ireland in the Local Enterprise Office Hall. She will be at stand number L9.

“Emily Thompson is a needle felting artist whose aim is to create unique artworks that connect people to the beauty of the world around them. Using locally sourced Irish wool, washed and dyed with natural materials, Emily meticulously layers the dyed wool to create images of the beautiful Irish landscape.”

When: Showcase Ireland runs from the 18th to the 20th of January, 2026.

Where: RDS Dublin, Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

For more information, visit the Showcase Ireland website – https://showcaseireland.com/

Emily’s website – https://emilyathompsonartist.ie/

Her Instagram – @emilyathompson_artist

Other Felt-Related Businesses at Showcase Ireland

In addition to Emily A Thompson, a few other businesses at Showcase use felted wool:

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: Donegal Tweed and Yarns – Innovation, Sustainability and Looking to the Future – Presented by IGWC

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

On Monday, the 20th of January, the Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC) is hosting a panel discussion on how Donegal is taking its wool heritage into exciting new directions. From the quest for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Donegal Tweed, to the growing demand for sustainable, innovative uses of Irish grown wool, discover how local businesses are blending tradition with forward-thinking ideas.

Time: 3:30PM – 4:15PM

For more information, visit their website – https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/irish-grown-wool-council-panel-talk-at-showcase-2025/

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: 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.

Of Interest: Tamzen Lundy Designs at Showcase 2025 – Plus Other Felt-related Businesses

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Showcase Ireland is celebrating its 50th year of elevating Irish craft and design. It runs from the 19th to the 21st of January at the RDS. For more information, visit – https://showcaseireland.com/newfront

Tamzen Lundy Designs

Feltmakers Ireland guild member Tamzen Lundy will exhibit at this year’s Showcase. Tamzen creates quirky, sustainably made, woollen wet felted gifts. She will be in booth L90 in the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) area of the RDS.

“Calling small shops of Ireland… Would you like to replace some of your imports with local craft? Remove plastic tat from your shelves for something a little more sustainable? The power lies with you…”

Tamzen Lundy Designs

Catch Tamzen at Showcase – Stand L90 – https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/tamzen-lundy-designs

Other Felt Related Businesses at Showcase

In addition to Tamzen Lundy Designs, other businesses exhibiting at Showcase 2025 use felted wool. Here are a few: Jayne Gillian Designs, Alexa Design, Boyne Valley Wools, and Noelle Ferris Felt Artist.

Jayne Gillian Designs

Jayne Gillian designs and makes unique felted Merino wool and silk scarves and collars. The designs, with their colours and textures, draw inspiration from the Irish Landscape and perfectly complement the Irish gift market. She is in the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI) area at Showcase – C181. https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/jayne-gillian-designs

Alexa Design

Alexandra Zolich creates bespoke luxury Nuno felted scarves and wraps that combine silk fabric with fine Merino wool fibre.

She is in the DCCI area at Showcase – C164. https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/alexa-design

Boyne Valley Wools

Boyne Valley Wools is a craft studio in Co. Meath, beside the Newgrange visitors’ centre Bru Na Boinne. Proprietor Alison Fullam Gogan is a fifth-generation sheep farmer who spins wool by hand from her flock of Jacob sheep. The yarn is hand-processed and rich in natural lanolin oils, which make it waterproof. In addition, she creates felted wool paintings and sheep decorations.

Boyne Valley Wools in the LEO area at Showcase – L14. https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/boyne-valley-wools

Noelle Ferris Felt Artist

Noelle Ferris‘ collection features limited edition fine art prints of her original felt artwork. She is in the LEO area at Showcase – L21. https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/exhibitor/noelle-ferris-felt-artist


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: Opportunity for Craft and Design Businesses – Showcase 2025 – LEO

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Showcase Ireland 2025 will occur from the 19th through the 21st of January, 2025 at the RDS, Dublin.

Showcase attracts buyers from Ireland and around the world looking for unique, design-led products in fashion, knitwear, jewellery, crafts, gifts, and home accessories.

Running for over forty years, Showcase has an impressive track record in attracting Ireland’s most talented makers and designers, along with buyers from over twenty countries. It features some 450 exhibitors, including leading Irish designers and manufacturers, and the very best emerging home-grown creative talent.  Showcase is a B2B opportunity for clients who are wholesale-ready.

At Showcase, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) clients are located in a premium position (Hall 3 in the RDS) called the Local Enterprise Showcase.

The deadline is the 26th of June at 5 PM.

For more information, visit the website – https://leo.submit.com/show/45

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: Four Felters at Showcase

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Four felters exhibited their work at Showcase Ireland 2024. This may not seem like a lot, but in 2023, only two designers/artisans exhibited work using the medium of feltmaking. So, there was twice as much this year!

Each of the artists from Showcase 2024 has her own unique way of working with the medium of felted wool. Two create wearable art, while the other two create art for the home.

Here they are, in A-Z order.

Alexa Designs

County Wicklow resident Alexa Zolich of Alexa Design creates luxurious Nunofelted wraps. Originally from Poland, she studied Textiles at the National College of Art and Design. You can view some of her work in person at Marion Cuddy at Powerscourt Centre, Dublin.

To see more of Alexa’s work, visit her website – https://www.alexadesign.ie/

Cushla Of Gullion

Dundalk-based Feltmakers Ireland member Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon of Cushla of Gullion creates landscape paintings inspired by the Irish countryside. Instead of using paint, she uses wool and other textiles. Farmer’s Journal recently did a Meet the Maker profile on Caóilfíonn - https://www.farmersjournal.ie/life/craft/meet-the-maker-caoilfionn-murphy-o-hanlon-803961

My nana taught me to knit and to crochet, but discovering the versatility of felting was a revelation to me as artistic expression. I found it soon became my therapeutic, go to textile medium instantly connecting me to the landscape at my door and allowing me to translate the textures, form and sense of place in my work drawing on past bonds and imbuing memories into each piece.

Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon

To see more of Caóilfíonn’s work, visit her website – https://cushlaofgullion.com/

Jayne Gillan Designs

County Kerry resident Jayne Gillan of Jane Gillan Designs creates felted scarves inspired by the colours and textures of the Irish landscape.

To see more of Jayne’s work, visit her website – https://www.jaynegillan.com/

Karena Ryan Textile Art

Guild member Karena Ryan of Karena Ryan Textile Art is based in County Galway. She combines hand-felted wool with stitch and works with Irish linens, tweeds and vintage Foxford blankets. Her felted lamp made from Irish-raised Galway wool was shortlisted for an award in the Home Category of Showcase 2024.

There is a lovely article about Karena in the Agriland Journal – https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/lamp-made-from-galway-wool-to-feature-at-showcase-2024/

To see more of Karena’s work, visit her website – https://karenaryanartist.com/

Editor’s Note: Apologies if we missed any other Showcase 2024 designers who create felted products.

Event: IGWC Wool Panel Talks at Showcase 2024

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Join the Irish Grown Wool Council at Showcase 2024 for a series of curated panel talks on Irish wool.

Talks will take place on each of the three days of Showcase, 21st – 23rd January (RDS, Dublin), across the key themes of Sustainability, Fashion and Innovation, focusing on the past, present and future for Irish wool. Join us at the ‘Inspiration Stage’ for these talks at Showcase 2024.

Day: Sunday 21st January
Time: 4pm- 5pm
Theme: Sustainability / Authenticity / Traceability Viability

Day: Monday 22nd January
Time: 2pm- 3pm TIME CHANGE -> NOW 12-1 PM.
Theme: Fashion / Design / Homeware

Day: Tuesday 23rd January
Time: 11am- 12pm
Theme: Innovation / Composites / International Best Practice / Products Development using wool

The three panels are made up of different speakers and are moderated by Rebecca Marsden
Designer, Materials Researcher & Educator The Wool Hub and Forge Design Factory

This opportunity is supported by the Design & Crafts Council, Ireland.

Panels and times may change; please check their website for the speaker details. – https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/irish-grown-wool-council-panel-talks-at-showcase-2024/

Event: Two Members Showing at Showcase

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

Two of Feltmakers Ireland’s members have stands at the upcoming Showcase 2024 at the RDS. The show runs from Sunday, the 21st through Tuesday, the 23rd of January.

Karena Ryan will be at Stand C25, which is in the DCCI area. She has a lamp felted from Irish Galway wool, which has been selected to be displayed at the Edit Display and has been shortlisted for a Showcase award.

Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon – aka Cushla of Gullion, will be at Stand L63, which is in the LEO area. She is looking forward to meeting current and new stockists.

This year, there is a new nifty interactive map on the Showcase website – https://showcaseireland.com/newfront/floorplan

If you are attending the event, please give these two members our warmest regards and best wishes for very successful shows!