Home made Crafts- Go wild Magazine

Crafts along the Way

It is no wonder that the Wild Atlantic Way is a haven for artists and craft makers, as it is a place that truly inspires. Traditional crafts are still very prominent on our wild west and play a huge part in Irish culture.Along the 2,500 km of coast, there are countless opportunities to discover local talent and learn regional crafts that are unique to this part of Ireland. Need some inspiration? We’ve put together a sample of some of the wonderful homemade crafts on our island to help get you started.

LISBETH MULCAHY THE WEAVERS’ SHOP

Siopa na bhFhíodóirí, Dingle,

high quality range includes scarves, stoles, throws and wall hangings, with a new range of colours for the scarves and stoles every year. Lisbeth also makes one-off woven tapestries. Fifteen of her large scale tapestries were commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs over a number of years and are installed in Irish embassies around the world. Siopa na bhFhíodóirí also stocks work by other Irish designer/makers.

Lisbeth Mulcahy, The Weaver's Shop

IRISH CRAFTS DOOLIN

Doolin, Co. Clare

Irish Handmade Glass

There is a huge growth in destination weddings across the Wild Atlantic Way, and Irish Crafts Doolin specialise in finding a unique gift to help couples remember their special day. With the beauty of the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way right on their doorstep, it’s easy to see where the inspiration comes from in Doolin. There is lots to choose from in the store but we love this unique wall art from Conker Tree Studio. Justyna Mackowska handcrafts these unique pieces from her home studio under a beautiful Conker Tree in south Co. Kilkenny. Each piece is lovingly created – ready to become a treasured memento of a special day. Available from Irish Crafts,

HANDWEAVING STUDIO DONEGAL The Glebe Mill, Kilcar, Co. Donegal

Handweaving Studio

Studio Donegal is a handweaving and clothing business based on original hand weaving skills passed down from generation to generation. It is situated in the remote mountainous region of South West Donegal.Tristan Donaghy set up Studio Donegal 30 years ago to try and maintain the Donegal tradition of hand weaving,"We're Continuing a craft while making something classic yet contemporary", he says."We also sell upholstery fabric to a couple of designers in New York and Denmark. These can only be handwoven, additionally we make throws and cushion covers " http//www.studiodonegal.ie/

LIVING GINGER DESIGNS WORKING WITH porcelain, glaze and wood sliding rock ceramics in Spiddal, Co.Galway

Louise Browne is a second generation potter who works in slab-built, three-dimensional porcelain, She works under the brand name Living Ginger, a name inspired by a quote from Yeats, and originally established by her mother, a Co .Clare based potter. Living Ginger Designs offer two main ranges their impressed collection, a twist on a traditional method through eh use of local flora and impressed details, and their smocked Work, an innovative collection of vessels created with sewn smocked fabrics capturing the essence of the Connemara landscape. All their products are designed and handcrafted from their workshop in Connemara by Louise. They are fashioned in the manner of the ripples left in the sand as the tide retreats. http:// www.slidingrockceramics.com/ artist_louise_brown.html

GALWAY CRYSTAL

Galway Crystal was established in 1967 by a group of local business people from the Galway Junior Chamber of Commerce. Its first location was on the famous Nun’s Island, named so because of the Poor Clare Convent which is still home to the Poor Clare Sisters today. In the late 60’s Galway Crystal moved to a specially designed facility on the Dublin Road, on the site of one of Galway’s Ballroom of Romances, the Eagle, or Skyline Ballroom. In April 1993, Galway joined the Belleek Group. Both companies have performed particularly well since then. Aynsley China has since become part of the Group. This meeting of three prestigious brands has further enhanced the position of Galway Crystal in the global marketplace In 1996 a beautiful new building was opened on the site of the old factory, and it is from here Galway Crystal operates today. Through the years many well-known people have passed through the doors of Galway Crystal, from Royalty to Presidents to celebrities. Galway Crystal can be found in some of the world’s most prestigious homes, from our own Aras an Uachtarain to the White House and the Vatican. Galway Crystal also produces commissioned pieces for sporting bodies worldwide, from the world famous Galway Races, to the European Tour, the GAA, the Football Association of Ireland, to name but a few. www.galwaycrystal.ie

ARTS AND CRAFTS COURSES in Kinsale, Co. Cork

Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre provides arts and crafts courses for adults and children, specialising in pottery, glass fusing and stained glass, jewellery-making, and mosaic-making. They run weekly morning and evening classes, weekend breaks, summer schools and tailormade workshops for corporate groups and private parties. They can accommodate up to 20 people in one class and up to 50 in a group, or as few as two or three at a time. All of their courses suit beginners, enthusiasts and professionals, using a wide range of facilities and techniques. The pottery includes electric and raku kilns, stoneware and earthenware clays, and they teach throwing, hand-building and all varieties of glazing.

Located just 20 minutes from Cork Airport, Kinsale Pottery is close to the centre of the beautiful historic harbour of Kinsale, famed for its restaurants and shops. The pottery is in the converted stables of the home farm for Ballinacurra House, and the gallery is in the eaves of its coach house, which dates back to 1795. www.kinsaleceramics. com

The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, which is the main champion for Ireland’s design and craft industry, and Fáilte Ireland have joined forces to help holidaymakers find the best studio experiences in Ireland. The selected sites featured in the Irish Craft Studio Experience are either craft studios open to visitors on a full-time basis or craft galleries and retail spaces offering visitors the opportunity to meet or interact with the maker. For further information, visit www.craftinireland.com/ explore