The National Museum of Country Life, Mayo

On my way home from Foxford Woolen Mills, I decided to stop off at Turlough House (as the museum is known) for a latte and a browse round the shop. I have been into the museum a few times, so I was going to skip the cultural bit and just stick to the coffee. I was on the hunt for any kind of interesting textile book, specifically one on Irish Viking Textiles. (I was thinking of joining the Viking re-enactment group, and wanted to do some research on viking clothes). There is a particular lack of books on textiles in Ireland. OK, our ancestors dress sense mightn't have been as exciting as say the Egyptians, but its still interesting. But as expected there was nothing there. I did buy a book on Clones Lace, a few postcards of old ladies spinning, and aran jumpers. I recently had a conversation with an American on doing the touristy thing, and I told her I loved doing the touristy thing, even in my own country, so there's the proof. I just can't resist those old lady postcards.

There was also a poster there of Aran stitches, and I thought that was funny, because there was a discussion in one of the Ravelry Groups about "the end of Aran". So, I sat down with my latte, and began to read the back of the postcards, and discovered that there was currently a new exhibition on, "Romantic Stitches and Realist Sketches".

The Museum exhibition will show a range of early 20th century Aran knitwear and a series of drawings by Seán Keating RHA. The businessman, Pádraig Ó Síocháin, used the drawings to illustrate a brochure to promote Aran knitwear worldwide during the 1960s and 1970s. The exhibition focuses on the unique marketing story of the Aran knitwear as well as highlighting some of the traditions associated with the stitches.

What a find, that explains the poster! So I finish quickly, threw my stuff in the car and run down to the museum. As I said, I've been there many times so I skipped the thatch, the stonework, the spinning wheels and went into the exhibition all excited. What can I say.................

Considering the wealth of history, true or invented, about Aran, a poky room with 7/8 Aran jumpers on dummy's behind glass is not what the glossy brochure promoted. Also, an audio-visual of Aran made by different designers since the 50's, without even a seat to sit down and view it properly. If you stopped to look at the TV, you were blocking the jumper display, that's how small the room was. There was more information in the brochure than in that room. And damn those audio-visuals, does anyone else think they're starting to take over, replace real exhibits that our Heritage people don't want to bother showing. I know the National Museum of Ireland has a vast range of textiles in storage, so its a pity they couldn't dredge up a few more gansey's to display.

I am happy with my poster and brochure which, as I said, gave me more info than the exhibition itself. Next time, Museum people, you do an exhibition like this, just raid the old folks home, get in a few Grannies. They'd be able to give you a lot more interesting chat about the real history behind Aran, the stitches and the women who were paid pittance for their hard work. Could we also have a pot of tea, and a few biscuits, just to get the atmosphere right.

Foxford Woollen Mills

There are two things I get asked after I've been on a trip to Mayo. Firstly, did you climb Croagh Patrick and secondly have you been to the Foxford Woolen Mills? So, the weather being too bad for a climb (thankfully), I decided to try and finally make it to Foxford.

It's a pleasant enough drive from Westport to Foxford, not too many tourists on the road. I stopped off in Straide, at the Museum of Michael Davitt. I didnt bother going in, just took a photo of the sculpture (by the wonderful artist Rory Breslin). Do you remember years ago, before we had any technology, we used to scoff at the Japanese who just went round taking hundreds of photos's. They were way ahead of us...


It was raining so hard by the time I got to Foxford it was hard enough to see the directions to the Mill. I don't know why, but I had this romantic notion that the Mills would be set in a beautiful, well, old Mill, with waterwheel and everything. Instead, the car park was opposite some 'new holiday apartments', and the Mills looked more like a glorified Barn. But, I thought, that's progress for you, and walked on dying to finally feel up some real Foxford Rugs and take the tour to see the few remaining Irish weavers.

Once inside the 'Mills', It looked just like any other Tescos tourist shops. The same toys, perfumes, postcards, tea-towels, with a mix of hats and jumpers. Having worked in touristy shops for some years I don't know why I thought it would be any different. In towards the back of the shop were shelves of Foxford Rugs, interspersed with rather useless 'Lifestyle' bits and bobs, that colour-coordinate with the rugs. I felt one or two of the blankets and didn't feel that impressed. Upstairs was more lifestyley stuff, the same as any upmarkety shop. Handy expensive kitchen and bedroom stuff. I suppose to give it credit it was more Marks and Sparks than Tesco's.


I though what made Foxford Woolen Mills special was the rugs, the tours, real-life weavers, etc. There were no signs anywhere mentioning the tours, when, how long, how much, so I stopped a very young looking assistant, who directed me to the till. The woman behind the till, barely looking up said, "every 20 mins, and there's no weavers here on weekend, only the audio-visual show. Do you want to pay now?" What!!??

Well, that blew me. I know its the weekend, but its tourist season, they could rotate days. Jeez, when I worked as a weaver in a touristy place, every day was the same as another, the season was short enough. So, I declined to see the audio-visual, and judging by how many people were hanging around, so did everyone else. But at the back of my mind, a little voice was telling me to buy one of the blankets in the discount pile. You never know how long the Mills will be around for, so I grabbed one, and ran to the till before my sensible skint side had time to stop me. That was my trip to Foxford Woollen Mills, I'm sorry to say, I wasn't too impressed. Maybe next time.

Wilds of Mayo

I'm just back from a week in Mayo, although I wasnt up the mountains, I might as well have been when it came to internet connection. Its been my first week in god knows how long that I wasnt able to go online, and to my surprise I did feel a gap. Not quite a need, but a small wondering if anyone had posted anything interesting on Ravelry, who had won the This is Knit Scavanger Hunt (congrats Demine!). But my time up there was to chill, and chill I did, it was bloody freezing!! Gale force winds, lightning storms and lots and lots of rain. So, for most of my holiday I ate, what else can you do, eat breakfast, plan lunch, finish lunch, plan dinner, etc, etc.



It was lovely to be there though, I caught up on much needed sleep as my mum doted on the toddler. In fact I was ignored by the toddler, who followed the grandparents around, babbling questions that couldn't be understood, and, therefore, were unanswerable. Between the heavy spells there was time to wander round the folks garden, and marvel at all the growth. And the colours, I could spend hours there just admiring the colours. I wish I had inherited my ma's green fingers.


I did manage to start on some new coral. I decided to start it as a scientific experiment, to make several samples, and write notes. I'm hoping that by doing this in a slow methodical process, it will be easier to design more types of coral. I also designed my mad hat for the Sailors Society's Mad Hat competition. I hope to start that in the next week or so. It will be top secret for now but you will be able to see it when it goes on tour with the Knit and Stitch Show in the UK with all the other mad hat entries.

This is Knit Scavanger Hunt

It was fun while it lasted, but God, I'm glad its over. I didn't realise how much time would go into it. The taking of the pictures was the easy bit, it was the planning involved, trying to catch this person and that.

Most of the people I talked into getting into the pictures were really nice, and saw the funny side of it. I did feel like a right fool when I got rejections though. One cafe in Tralee, that shall remain nameless, were adamantly against me taking pictures. I went in early so I could catch the staff when they weren't too busy, bought coffee, cake, then asked. The girl called the manager, who was firm bordering on rude, saying they don't allow that kind of thing. Thank god I had asked first, even then, I only asked if I could take a picture of myself knitting, I hadn't even gotten round to the member of staff one. I went over to the Jam cafe, in Ballyseedy Garden Centre, and they were lovely, so they deserve a plug!!

It was hard deciding on some of the photos to enter. After the competition, I will post some of them here on my blog. I have a favourite, but unfortunately, it didn't fit into any category, but it is an aaaaah, lovely moment.

A special thanks to the two men in my life, my long-suffering partner, (he's used to my mad projects) and toddler (he'll get used to it), who accompanied me on my quest, and took some photos for me.

Greencrafts at the Electric Picnic 2008

I have just received confirmation that I will be doing crochet demonstrations and weaving workshops in the Greencrafts area at this years Electric Picnic.

Crochet: demonstrations are free and will go on continuously throughout the Festival. There will be a small exhibition of crochet in a scientific context.... I'm not going to give away too much, you'll have to come and see.

Weaving: Each person taking part in the workshops will learn the basic technique of weaving, and will make a beautiful length of cloth that can be used in many ways, eg. a belt, a camera or guitar strap, etc... It is a great class for those who have always wanted to try their hand at this ancient art. There is a small fee for the weaving workshops, just to cover expenses and they have to be pre-booked as places are limited so if anyone is interested, please visit the Festival website

Exhibition Opening

This is St. Fin Barres Cathedral, Cork. It is where the Cork Textiles Network are currently showing an exhibition. I would have photos of the opening night, the chat, the friendship, the wine and yes the textile works of art......Except I had to bring my toddler, who decided to become a bowling ball, to run manic around the Cathedral and bang into people's legs. Needless to say, I didn't stay long, and had resounding screams all the way down the road. Then it was hobble hobble to our lodgings (my new shoes, dug holes into my ankles) for bed at 8 o'clock. I got to sit in the dark and watch crap TV, with a sleeping baby beside me. I made up for it though by ordering breakfast in bed. A small treat for a disastrous night, but a treat none the less....

I got to see the exhibition the next morning before heading back to Kerry, and I tell you, it is well worth a visit. It is great to see the range of textile techniques, and how professional all the pieces looked. If you can't get to Cork, its travelling to Bantry for the Music Festival, then Kinsale in July, and back to Bishopstown Library, Cork in October.

Transforming Textiles

Cork Textile Network put on a textile conference this year, and I didn't get to go to it because it was booked out. It was so successfull they have already got next years event together. I should keep it a secret to guarantee my place, but I'm a generous soul so here's the lowdown...

Transforming Textiles

One Day Conference
Lectures from Britain's and Ireland's
Leading Contemporary Textile Artists

Colaiste Stiofan Naofa, Tramore Road, Cork
Saturday 7 March 2009, 9.30 am to 5.30pm

Stitching * Print * Collage * Paper Casting * Miniature Books * Felt * Lectures * Workshops

Details will soon be on the website, www.corktextiles.com.