This is a bit late and not local; however, it’s still interesting: The Fashion and Textile Museum in London is having a panel discussion on Wool and Fashion tomorrow morning, Friday, the 18th.
“Panellists will share how they use wool in their collections and delve into the benefits and positive impacts of this historic versatile material. Discussions will share what it is like to work with British farms, and how the process of farm to fleece to finished garment works within the fashion industry.”
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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Today, the 8th of October is World Circular Textiles Day. WCTD, held annually, examines global progress in circularity across three key themes: Products & Services, Materials, and People. The organisation’s goal is to report on, reflect upon, and celebrate the advancements in circularity, while also charting a path to achieve Full Textile Circularity by 2050.
An online panel is scheduled for today from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. The Top 10 circular textile garments of the year will be unveiled during this event. Thirty international experts have carefully selected and reviewed these circular textile products using the organisation’s six-point assessment criteria.
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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.
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EARTH RISING at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is a three-day festival where art meets activism and offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with our time’s most pressing environmental issues. Over the weekend, EARTH RISING will present a diverse range of eco-themed installations and exhibitions, workshops, screenings, and thought-provoking discussions that invite participants to reflect on their role in the global climate movement.
All events and experiences at EARTH RISING are free of charge; the festival is drop-in and accessible to all. Spaces for talks and workshops are allocated on a first-come basis. Some workshops require booking, and ticket links can be found on the festival app on the workshop event page.
Fibreshed Ireland will offer short workshops, demonstrations, and talks throughout the event. From Seeds to Textile Sovereignty is an interactive space that will help festival-goers visualise and understand how seeds turn into textiles and why agrobiodiversity is key in this process.
When: Friday, the 20th through the Sunday, the 22nd of September.
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Step into the world of Wonderful Wool, where we will delve into the potential of Irish-grown wool as a sustainable natural material. Attendees can look forward to a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring keynote speakers from the Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC). There will be a presentation and interactive seminar featuring craftspeople from across Ireland who champion the benefits of wool in various ways.
The keynote speakers are members of the Irish Grown Wool Council, a dedicated body that promotes Irish-grown wool both locally and globally. Be inspired by their insights and learn about the innovative efforts to advance the standard and create markets for Irish-grown wool.
There will be a networking lunch after the talks for attendees to engage with the panel and peers on all things wool. There will also be a maker’s demonstration and exhibit celebrating all things wool!
When: Friday, the 16th of August 2024, from 10 AM – 1:30 PM. Where: Conor Lecture Theatre, Ulster University
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Panel Discussion: Dive into the world of wool with keynote speakers from the Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC).
Interactive Seminar: Engage with talented craftspeople from across Ireland.
Networking Lunch: Connect with our panel and fellow wool enthusiasts.
Maker’s Demonstration & Exhibit: Celebrate the beauty and versatility of wool.
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Design Matters Lab seeks product and material-related designers from Indonesia and Europe to collaborate with micro-factories and co-create groundbreaking solutions by utilising alternative materials, creating meaningful products, and enhancing sustainable production systems.
Editor’s note: The prospectus does not directly mention wool, but perhaps there is an opportunity within the ‘Agro waste materials’ option.
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On Saturday, the 20th of July, 2024, the exhibition “Land to the Hand” celebrated the rich heritage of native Irish Galway Wool at the annual Meitheal in the Athenry Co-operative Livestock Market. It was the fourth yearly Meitheal organised by the Galway Wool Co-op, a voluntary group of people raising the native breed of Galway Sheep. Blátnaid Gallagher is the group’s secretary and excellent ambassador.
Blátnaid Gallagher opening the Meitheal at the Athenry Co-operative Livestock Mart.
The Exhibition
At last year’s Meitheal, artist and curator Michelle Hickey Legge brought together the works of sixteen artists. This year, Michelle had twice as many artists involved: 32 participants contributed pieces that showcased outstanding handwoven textiles, intricate knitwear, creative crochet, impressive feltmaking, and contemporary wool art – all made from Irish-raised Galway Wool. The event highlighted the craftsmanship of some of Ireland’s top makers, educators, and innovators.
The Wool
While the exhibition was going on, the cooperative’s farmers brought their yields of Galway wool into the Meitheal. According to the Tuam Herald, 5,000 kg of wool were delivered, and farmers were guaranteed €2.50 per kg for their wool.
The Clip
Galway Wool Sheep
More Delights
Additionally, the Meitheal had a traditional Irish music session and a sheep shearing demonstration in the background, along with coffee, tea, and biscuits.
Visitors admired the skilful blending of ancient techniques with modern designs, which reflected Ireland’s cultural tapestry. The interactive workshop on wool spinning with Sandra King of Irish Fibre Crafters, drew enthusiastic participation, fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainable practices.
Sandra King of Irish Fibre Crafters – seated by her spinning wheel.
Congratulations to all the artists who exhibited their outstanding works. Special congratulations to Lorna McCormack from Wool in School for being the Overall Winner of the Show for her educational concept; this award was sponsored by Donegal Yarns.
Woolin School product
Claire McGovern from Rhyme Studio was awarded for her contemporary rugs; this award was sponsored by Aviation Graphix. For her contemporary works, Karena Ryan was awarded by the Galway Wool Co-op. Karena is a member of Feltmakers Ireland! Additionally, Jean Long was awarded for her Geansaí Chléire, also sponsored by the Galway Wool Co-op. Lastly, Evin Higgins of Caoirigh Farms was given the Industry Award for Innovation, sponsored by Vincent Hughes from the Aran Woollen Mills.
Caoirigh Farm’s entry
Thanks
Thank you to all of the farmers, artists, and supporters. Lastly, the warmest thanks go to Michelle Hickey Legge for her tireless efforts in curating and organising the exhibition.
Michell Hickey Legge – and camera men
Michelle Hickey Legge’s piece for the exhibition
Feltmakers Ireland Members
Several members from Feltmakers Ireland were in attendance and/or had pieces at the exhibition: Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann, Juliane Gorman, Karena Ryan, Margaret Collins Ryan, and Tamzen Lundy.
Astrid Tomrop-Hofmann – @bombyxmoriwearableart
Juliane Gorman – @felthappiness
Karena Ryan – @karenaryantextiles
Margaret Ryan Collins
Tamzen Lundy’s piece – @tamzenlundydesigns
More Artwork from the Meitheal
This is only a sampling of the work at the show, which ranged from the functional to the artistic. We are sorry that we may have omitted some of the artists’ contributions to the Meitheal.
Collaboration between dyer Malu Colorin and weaver Aideen Macken – @malu_colorin and @aideen.macken
Fiona McDonagh – @Lamhclinicgalway
Olga Profutkina – @olgakina_dolls
Rhyme Studio rugs – @rhymestudioart
Sarah Kineen’s piece – @lifeinajamjar
Ellen Keohane’s Leaving Certificate course artwork
Catherine O’Connor – @bofinweaves
Annie O’Toole – @knitaran13
Christine McNamara – @christines_craft
Annie Gambril – @killala.woolcraft
Students’ work
Ryan Koenig – @ryankoenigstudio
Niamh O’Connell – winner of last year’s Meitheal and exhibitor and judge at this year’s.
Coming Up
A television program on the Galway Wool Coop will be on Nationwide sometime this autumn!
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.
The course is geared towards makers, craftspeople, innovators, designers, creatives and stakeholders within and beyond the cultural and creative industries.
The main aim of the course is to help participants understand and become aware of the importance of transforming our current linear economic model (take–make–use—lose) into a more nature-inspired, closed-loop model. It also aims to enable participants to gain the soft skills and new perspectives required to participate in that transformation.
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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Dr. Tim Yeomans, MTU; Dr. Emma Murphy, TUS; Minister Martin Heydon; and Leo Murray, ATU at the announcement of funding.
Munster Technological University has been awarded €574,683 by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for research for the SPRINGWOOL project, which aims to eliminate barriers and promote innovation in the Irish wool industry.
Currently, farmers get little in return for their wool; it costs farmers about €3.50 to shear a sheep with a return of roughly 20 cents/kg for the fleece. This funding will go towards key research to help create a brighter future for Irish-grown wool.
The wool funding is part of the €22.3 million aid grant for 21 new research projects arising from the Department’s 2023 Thematic Research Call.
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.
