Of Interest: Rethinking Textile Waste Symposium and Exhibitions- Haslach an der Mühl, Austria

This year, the Textile Culture Haslach‘s summer symposium is centred around the theme “Rethinking Textile Waste.” It explores current issues surrounding overproduction and recycling, questions our approach to fast fashion and production waste, and highlights ideas that view waste as a valuable resource. Several exhibitions and evening events will shed light on different aspects of this broad topic.

When: the 20th -31st of July, 2026

Where: Textile Culture Haslach,, Stahlmühle 4, 4170 Haslach an der Mühl, AUSTRIA

For more information, visit https://www.textilkurse.at/sommersymposium/

Instagram @textileszentrumhaslach


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

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

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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.

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Of Interest: ReStyle Dublin – This Saturday in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

ReStyle Dublin will take place across Dún Laoghaire this Saturday, the 4th of July, bringing together a full day of creativity, sustainability, fashion, and community.

Guild member Sandra Reynolds is one of the Makers and will be offering two embroidery workshops to upcycle wearables.

Throughout the day there are:

  • Workshops
  • Live demonstrations
  • A repair café
  • Swap shops
  • A fashion show
  • Talks, stalls, exhibitions, and much more!

The organisers ask that attendees bring clothes in need of repair, clothes to upcycle or alter, and clothes to swap or donate.

More information and free tickets can be found here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restyle-dublin-a-sustainable-fashion-expo-free-event-tickets-1991909161924

Their Instagram @restyle.ireland @rediscoveryctr @sandystitchedup


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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.

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

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

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

Of Interest: Restyle Dublin Sustainable Fashion Expo – 4th of July

Promotional poster for Ireland's Sustainable Fashion Expo, featuring event details including date, location, and activities such as workshops, demonstrations, and a fashion show.

Save the Date: On the 4th of July, ReStyle Dublin will take place across Dún Laoghaire, bringing together a full day of creativity, sustainability, fashion, and community.

This will be a free public event, with a selection of individual workshops and activities available through ticket booking.

Expect a day of:

  • Workshops
  • Live demonstrations
  • A repair café
  • Swap shops
  • A fashion show
  • Talks, stalls, exhibitions, and much more!

Their Instagram @restyle.ireland @rediscoveryctr

More information about their mission on the Environmental Forum website – https://environmentalforum.ie/restyle-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: Panel Discussion – The Future of Irish Wool: Heritage, Sustainability & Innovation – At Bloom on Saturday

Promotional banner for Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland's largest festival of gardening, food, and sustainable living, featuring event details and a focus on Irish wool heritage and sustainability.


This weekend, Irish sustainable fashion stylist and journalist, Roxanne Parker, will host two conversations about Irish textiles and fashion at the Sustainable Living Stage of Bord Bia Bloom 2026, in association with The Design and Craft Council of Ireland. Both events will explore the future of Irish textiles, heritage & endangered craft, and sustainability. 

Of particular interest to felters is Saturday’s event, “The Future of Irish Wool: Heritage, Sustainability & Innovation.”

This event will open with a fashion show celebrating Irish wool and Irish woven textiles, followed by a conversation on sustainability, heritage manufacturing, farming, fashion and textile innovation.

Joining Roxanne are the following:

When: Saturday, the 30th of May at 10:30 AM

Where: Sustainable Living Stage, at Bloom

On Sunday at 11:15 AM, there will be a fashion show and a panel discussion on linen.

Opening with a fashion show celebrating Irish linen and contemporary Irish linen design, followed by a discussion on weaving, endangered craft practices, sustainability and the evolving future of Irish linen.

Joining Roxanne are the following:

More information about events is on the Bord Bia Bloom website – https://www.bordbiabloom.com/whats-on/event-schedule/

Instagram: @roxanne_parker @dccireland @irish_grown_wool_council_ @bordbiabloom


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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.

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Of Interest: Earth Day Celebration at UCD THIS Wednesday – Co Dublin

A vibrant festival poster for Bealtaine, an event celebrating ecology and community on Earth Day 2026, featuring colourful illustrations, event details, and a whimsical artistic representation of nature.

Greenacre of University College Dublin (UCD), presents an Earth Day/Bealtaine event, an optimistic festival celebrating ecology and community, that is free and open to students and the public.

When: Wednesday, the 22nd of April
Time: 9 AM – 6 PM
Where: UCD Greenacre Sustainability Hub, Dublin, D04, which is located near the UCD GAA pitch. Some of the festival events are in other locations on the campus.

From 10 AM to 12 PM, Feltmakers Ireland guild member Dr Niki Collier will share ‘Textile and Technology for Saving the World‘. Includes an installation, weaving demonstrations, and a try-it-yourself section.

For more information and to reserve a ticket, see here – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/earth-daybealtaine-tickets-1986522623643

@bealtaine_ucd_greenacre

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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News: European Wool Experience –Less than 2 weeks away – Tralee

Promotional poster for the European Wool Experience featuring various wool crafting activities, including handling wool, colourful yarn, and knitting.

Join us for the European Wool Experience — a free public event celebrating wool, creativity
and craftsmanship on Saturday, the 28th of March at the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry.

Feltmakers Ireland will be taking part in European Wool Experience 2026. If you’ve been hoping to pick up a copy of our book Exploring Irish Wool for Feltmaking, we will have copies available on the day.

Our volunteers will also be demonstrating feltmaking techniques, and visitors will have the opportunity to join a hands-on wet felting activity using Irish-raised wool from Ériu and WoolStore Ireland.

The wool used for these activities has been partially funded by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.

The European Wool Experience will be a unique day, where wool comes to life through hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions, research displays and interactive experiences from makers, artists, educators and innovators across Ireland and 10+ European countries.

Whether you’re discovering wool for the first time, visiting with family and friends, or already passionate about fibre crafts, this is a wonderful opportunity to see traditional skills alongside contemporary practices — and experience the incredible versatility of this natural material.

  • Meet makers
  • Watch live 35+ demonstrations
  • Explore exhibitions and displays
  • Try wool crafts like felting, weaving, spinning and much more in a welcoming, relaxed environment

Drop in anytime — admission is completely free, and everyone is welcome!

WHEN: Saturday, 28 March 2026 | 10 AM – 5 PM

WHERE: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 DC83

Short Video

For more information: https://irishgrownwoolcouncil.com/free-fringe-ewd26-event-interactive-wool-demonstrations/ and https://ewe.network/ewd2026/

Groups of 10+ can book in advance via ewd@ewe.network (subject: Group Visit)

Note: The European Wool Day 2026 Conference, which runs parallel to this event, is a ticketed
event. Currently, the conference capacity has been reached, but one can apply to be on a ticket waiting list here – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/european-wool-day-2026-conference-ireland-tickets-1977521531133?aff=oddtdtcreator


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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.

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Of Interest: Free Activities at European Wool Experience – Tralee

The European Wool Experience, a vibrant, free, family-friendly event, will be at the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, on Saturday, 28 March 2026, from 10 AM–5 PM.

Celebrating Ireland’s hosting of ‘European Wool Day 2026’, this special public event, open to all, brings together exhibitors, makers and researchers from Ireland and more than 10 European countries, to connect and create a colourful, welcoming day of creativity, culture, and discovery.

Taking place at the start of the Easter school holidays, it’s an ideal day out for families, friends, individuals or organised groups looking for something creative and different.

Visitors can explore four rooms featuring over 35 demonstrations, exhibitions and interactive experiences, with plenty of opportunities to try wool crafts firsthand, including the following: wet felting, finger knitting, crios belt weaving, spinning, weaving, wool processing and more. Meet skilled makers, discover traditional and contemporary skills, view unique heritage displays, and enjoy a relaxed, hands-on atmosphere suitable for children and adults alike.

Throughout the day, volunteers from Feltmakers Ireland will demonstrate feltmaking, and we will also lead interactive wet felting activities.

In addition to the guild, several members will be sharing their artwork and fibres. These include the following:

Members of Feltmakers Ireland, the Irish Guild for Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers, and the International Feltmakers Association – Region 14, will host a joint exhibition of artwork created with Irish-raised wool.

The guild is grateful to have received some funding from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland. This helped us purchase Irish-raised wool from Ériu and WoolstoreIE, which members could use in their pieces.

Drop in to the European Wool Experience for an hour or stay and explore at your own pace; admission is completely free.

Where: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry, V92DC83

When: Saturday, 28 March 2026, from 10 AM–5 PM

For more information, visit the Irish Grown Wool Council’s website: https://bit.ly/euwoolexp

Groups of 10 or more can book in advance via ewd@ewe.network (subject: Group Visit).


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 School – Climate Education for Children

A smiling girl wearing a blue dress stands next to educational activity worksheets. The text promotes a free kids' workbook related to climate plans, highlighting that it is downloadable, printable, and shareable.

Wool in School has a licensing opportunity: a Climate-Resource Information Pack that artists, educators, or businesses can share online.

The pack is free to download, print, and share with customers, clients, staff, families, schools, and community partners. Included is a workbook and ten activity sheets.

Why this matters for fashion and textiles:

Materials and product lifecycles sit at the heart of fashion’s climate impact on Sustainable Development Goals. These include the following: fibre choices, durability, repair, reuse, waste, land and biodiversity.

Climate strategies succeed when people understand these links. Giving children (and the adults around them) practical tools is one of the most credible “beyond the value chain” actions a fashion or textile business can take.

From fibre production to product lifespan and end-of-life, textiles connect to:

  • carbon impacts,
     
  • circularity and waste reduction,
     
  • biodiversity and land stewardship,
     
  • consumer behaviour and repair culture.
     
  • Supporting education in this space is a credible way to strengthen one’s climate narrative.

For more information about the Climate-Resource Information Pack, visit the Wool in School website – https://woolinschool.com/businesses

Their Instagram: @woolinschool

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.