Tag: Sustainable Textiles

Event: From Soil to Spindle – The Journey of Irish Wool – 7 November – Castlebar, Co Mayo

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland
Promotional poster for a workshop titled 'From Soil to Spindle: The Journey of Irish Wool', featuring images of sheep, wool, and a wooden drop spindle, detailing event information and activities.

Ever wondered how wool gets from a sheep in the field to a beautiful ball of yarn? Here’s your chance to find out and get hands-on with the process!

Join Anna Doyle and Annie Gambrill at The Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, for a fascinating, fun workshop exploring the journey of Irish wool from the land to the finished yarn.

Discover the connection between farming, the land and the quality of wool.

Learn traditional wool-spinning skills.

Make your very own drop spindle.

Spin your own yarn to take home!

Along the way, you’ll discover how age-old crafts and sustainable practices can work hand in hand to create a more circular future.

Whether you’re a craft enthusiast, passionate about sustainability or simply love trying something new, this is a lovely opportunity to get creative, learn new skills and connect with Ireland’s rich wool heritage.

When: Saturday the 7th of November, 11 AM – 4 PM
Where: The Linenhall, Linenhall St, Knockthomas, Castlebar, Co Mayo, F23 AN24

FREE – Lunch included!

Places are limited, and booking is essential!

For more information or to book a place, visit their website, https://www.thelinenhall.com or call their box office on 094 902 3733

Their Instagram: @thelinenhall_castlebar @gambrill.and.lam @anna_trevaskis


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Of Interest: Fibreshed Ireland’s Symposium – Common Challenges, Interwoven Solutions

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Promotional graphic for Fibreshed Ireland’s fifth annual symposium titled 'Common Challenges, Interwoven Solutions', featuring a hand working on a weaving project, with details about the event date, time, and location.

For its 5th annual symposium, Fibreshed Ireland will bring together farmers, processors, designers, makers, researchers, and consumers from around the island and beyond to offer solutions for the challenges of shortening value chains in the European textile industry.

Presentations, panel discussions, and interactive conversations with:

  • Alberte Holmø Bojesen — Copenhagen-based textile and material designer and researcher
  • Babette Leertouwer — Dutch textile artist and founder of Halona
  • Sabina Diaconu — Romanian textile artist, embroiderer and collector
  • Alison Nea — award-winning Irish textile artist and founder of Modh
  • Cathy Coughlan — co-founder of award-winning Celtic Tweed
  • Eva Kerley and Georgia Connolly — designers and researchers working at the intersection of textiles, material culture and circular design
  • Frederique van Buuren — textile maker with a passion for wool, knitting, spinning and education
  • Kathy Kirwan — eco-social artist, educator, flax enthusiast, and founder of Flax Lín
  • Thomas “Rusty” Weise — textile maker and lacemaker
  • Yamila Fournier & Niamh FitzGerald — exploring the surprising connections between birds, nest-building, architecture and human textile traditions

When: Friday, the 13th of November, 10 AM – 6 PM

Where: The Dublin Liberties Distillery, 33 Mill St, The Liberties, Dublin, D08 V221

For more information, visit their website: https://fibreshedireland.ie/symposium-2026/#learn-more

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

Of Interest: Textile Takeover – Ulster Folk Museum – This Saturday

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A webpage screenshot featuring the Ulster Folk Museum logo and the title 'Textile Takeover' in bold red text.

Explore textiles and sustainability at the Textile Takeover at the Ulster Folk Museum. Shop vintage, learn how to repair clothes, watch weaving and spinning demonstrations, try embroidery and learn from fashion and textile experts.

Guild member Katarina Hruskova of Woolstore Ireland will be there to share about Irish wool.

Fibreshed Ireland will also be at the event, representing another part of Ireland’s growing textile and fibre community.

When: This Saturday, the 10th of October, 11 AM to 4 PM

Where: The Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Rd, Holywood BT18 0EU, United Kingdom

For more information and to book general admission tickets, visit their website: https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/textile-takeover

Their Instagram: @ulsterfolkmuseum @fibreshed_ireland
@niembroideryguild
@tadf_insta
@woolstoreireland @repaircafeni. 

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 content-related questions, please follow the link to the organisation hosting the event.

Of Interest: Upcycle & Alteration Event – Carnegie Library – Dun Laoghaire

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Promotional poster for an Upcycle & Alteration Station event at Carnegie Library, highlighting a free workshop by the Rediscovery Centre's fashion team on 10 October 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Take a jaunt along the Dun Laoghaire Charity Shop Trail and bring your treasures to Carnegie Library, where you’ll learn how to transform them to fit you!

Bring it along to The ReDiscovery Centre’s FREE Upcycle & Alteration Station at Carnegie Library as part of the Dun Laoghaire Charity Shop Trail.

When: Saturday, the 10th of October, from 11 AM to 4 PM. There are morning and afternoon sessions = 11 AM–1:30 PM and 1:30 PM–4 PM.

Where: IADT Carnegie Library, 19/23 George’s Street Lower, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 X2AA

For more information and to book your spot, please visit their website: https://www.rediscoverycentre.ie/workshops/free-upcycle-alteration-station-at-the-carnegie-library/

Their Instagram: @rediscoveryctr and @dlrcoco.ie

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: Fibreshed Ireland – ‘Homegrown, a day of Irish Fibres’ – at NCAD – Dublin Independent Fashion Week

Published on by Feltmakers Ireland

As part of Dublin Independent Fashion Week, Fibreshed Ireland is hosting a day to show designers and makers what Irish-grown fibres are available.

The “Soil-to-Soil exhibition” features work from members of Fibreshed Ireland (which also includes makers who are members of Feltmakers Ireland).

Learn about the past, present, and future of linen on this island through a documentary and immersive VR experience.

Discover the power of 5% through a hands-on decorative stitches workshop, where attendees get a chance to craft their own signature detail to a garment, using only Irish-grown yarns.

When: Friday, the 11th of September
Where: Harry Clarke Lecture Hall, National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin, D08 K521

The exhibition and the Flax VR experience are open for viewing from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Schedule:
🔸 11:00 – 11:30 AM • ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary screening (free, booking required)
🔸 12:00 – 2:00 PM • Cúpla Snaithe decorative stitches workshop (€20, limited capacity)
🔸 2:15 – 2:45 • ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary screening (free, booking required)
🔸 3:00 – 5:00 PM • Cúpla Snaithe decorative stitches workshop (€20, limited capacity)

For more information and to book your spot for the documentary screening and/or the decorative stitching workshop, visit here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fibreshedireland/2370412


“Homegrown: a day of Irish fibres” has been organised and produced by the following:

  • The Soil-so-Soil exhibition is made up of pieces by Fibreshed Ireland members.
  • Cúpla Snaithe is a project by Fibreshed Ireland member Eva Kerley.
  • The ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary and VR experience was produced by Kathy Kirwan of the Flax Lín community group and Wombat Media.

The production and screening of the ‘Flax: Threads of Time’ documentary and VR experience have been supported by the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, managed by the Government of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Instagram:  @fibreshed_ireland @dublin_ifw, @ncad_dublin @cuplasnaithe @evacktextiles @flax_lin @wombatmedia_ie @kathykirwan_theartofnature

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: Free Webinar on Research, Innovation & the Future of Irish Wool – this Friday

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The Wool Hub for Research & Innovation has an upcoming webinar exploring how research, enterprise and collaboration can unlock new opportunities across the wool value chain.

Hosted by the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster at Munster Technological University, IRELAND, the webinar brings together researchers, businesses and other contributors working to increase the value, visibility and sustainable use of wool.

Through a series of short presentations, participants will hear about developments in nationally funded wool research and innovation; wool-focused research projects and resources; emerging activity within wool-based businesses and regional partnerships; lessons from the European Wool Day 2026 in Tralee; and international experience in developing more sustainable and resilient wool value chains.

The webinar marks the next phase in revitalising the Wool Hub for Research & Innovation, reconnecting people and organisations working across the wool value chain and identifying themes around which the Hub can support future knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The presentations will be followed by a short moderated discussion and audience Q&A, highlighting shared challenges, emerging opportunities and areas for further exploration.

This public event will be relevant to farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, SMEs, designers, processors, policymakers and anyone interested in increasing the value and visibility of Irish-grown wool.

Feltmakers Ireland guild member, Katarina Hruskova of Woolstore Ireland, is one of the presenters.

When: Friday, the 11th of September at 10 AM (Irish time)

Register in advance: https://bit.ly/4yG1djZ

Instagram:  

@mtu_ie @cabr_centre @woolstoreireland @ulsteruni @hollandswolcollectief @ewe_foundation__

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: Irish Business Design Challenge Competition – Design and Crafts Council of Ireland

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The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s 2026 Irish Business Design Challenge is now open for applications. ⁠
⁠
Micro or small businesses that use design to create sustainable solutions are invited to apply to this DCCI competition. There are awards of up to €20,000 per business, amongst a total prize funding of €50,000.

The Irish Business Design Challenge is looking for businesses that have:

  • Changed their business model to add value
  • Repurposed or redesigned their products or services sustainably
  • Developed new eco-friendly processes or partnerships
  • Discovered new or more efficient ways of working
  • Invented innovative and meaningful solutions
  • Solved societal or environmental problems through sustainable design

Deadline: Monday, the 31st of August 2026⁠.

For more information and to apply, visit the DCCI website: https://www.dcci.ie/whats-on/dcci-awards/dcci-irish-business-design-challenge/dcci-design-business-challenge-about/

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.

Exhibition: Native Irish Fibres Material Library Exhibition – NCAD Library Micro Gallery

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There is a ‘Native Irish Fibres Material Library’ exhibition at the micro gallery of the Edward Murphy Library of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD).

It is the work of three NCAD master’s students in the Circular by Design programme, who researched and piloted an online toolkit, a materials library, and an awareness campaign to encourage designers to use more Irish-grown raw materials in their work. Their tutor, Maureen Laverty, and Fibreshed Ireland helped to guide them. Their project was the winner of the Dublin City Council’s ENFUSE competition. A physical book version will be available soon.

Where: NCAD Library, National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin 8, D08 K521

When: Runs until the 28th of August.

Instagram: @ncad_library @ncad_circular.by.design @georgia_makes_shapes @evacktextiles, @almawoolstudio @fibreshed_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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Questions: For questions about content, please follow the link to the organisation involved in hosting the event.

Of Interest: 450 km Wool March – from Texel NL to European Parliament in Brussels

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Shepherds and sheep flocks are an indispensable to biodiversity and the preservation of our natural landscapes. But they are often overlooked.

To raise awareness for shepherds and sheep flocks, a group of advocates has organised a 53-day Wool March, from Texel in the Netherlands to the European Parliament in Brussels. The March will be rally style:

“No sheep or shepherd <will> walk the entire route! We pass the hook from shepherd to shepherd, flock to flock creating a line of support for this ecological, cultural and social importance of this overlooked system”.

The walk starts on Saturday, the 22nd of August in Texel, Netherlands and arrives in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday the 13th of October 2026.

For more information, visit the Wool March website: https://www.woolmarch.com/

Their Instagram: @woolmarch @international_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: Dublin Maker Open Call for Fashion Show

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This year, Dublin Maker will have an Open Fashion Show. Whether you’ve crafted an elaborate outfit or made a cute patch on your jeans, you are invited to enter.

On the day, fill out a card with some information about your make. The cards will be given to the emcee, who will call designers/makers up one by one.

There will be four slots:

  • Saturday, the 22nd of August at 12:45 and 14:45, and
  • Sunday, the 23rd of August at 11:15 and 14:30

Sign up for whichever ones work best for you. Please arrive a few minutes early to fill out your card if you are entering.

Where: Leopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, Dublin 18, D18 C9V6

If you’re not ready to participate, come along to support the makers and get inspired for next year!

Sign up in advance with Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/open-fashion-show-dublin-maker-tickets-1996822790720

The event will be accessible to people with limited mobility, but if you have questions, you can also check the Dublin Maker’s Accessibility Guide: https://dublinmaker.ie/accessibility-at-dublin-maker-festival/

Or reach out on their contact page: https://dublinmaker.ie/contact/

For more information or to reserve your free tickets, visit the Dublin Maker website: https://dublinmaker.ie/

Their Instagram: @dublinmaker

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.