If you fancy learning new skills, you need to sign up for the handy sampler classes and demonstrations in metalwork, basket weaving, woodwork and wool spinning, taking place during National Heritage Week.
In a world of mono-look homes, more and more of us yearn for bespoke details that signal points of difference.
In the décor business, the term bespoke reads as expensive.
But if you learn the skill for yourself, you can tailor your talent to your home. It’s part of a bigger movement that relishes trad looks and homespun charm.
Running from Saturday, August 15th to Sunday, August 23rd, National Heritage Week is offering a series of workshops and demonstrations all around the country, many of which are free to attend, that allow you to get hands-on learning in crafts that include metalwork, basket weaving, woodwork, and wool spinning classes that you can use to decorate your home.
Forge new metalwork skills
Dating back to the Bronze Age, when Irish people forged tools and weaponry over a fire, metalwork is a skill that blacksmiths have used for centuries to craft everyday essentials such as tools, gates, hinges and horseshoes.
You can use it to create door hinges, candlesticks, knives, fire irons and other interior design features.
On Saturday, August 15th, there will be a day-long public workshop and demonstration at TOG Hackerspace in Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Running from 9 am to 5.30 pm, blacksmith Fínín Liam Christie will demonstrate traditional forge work, with five to ten participants selected to take part during stages of the process under close supervision.
Over in a Co Clare prehistoric park, families can watch and learn about the life of a medieval blacksmith at Craggaunowen Castle and Crannóg in Kilmurry.
Two shows, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm, will take place on Saturday, August 15th, Sunday, August 16th, and Monday, August 17th, respectively.
Attendees can meet Tony, a well-versed blacksmith, and watch him go about his daily medieval life.
Add warmth to the home with woodwork
Ireland’s native timbers such as ash, oak and beech can be transformed into a plethora of handmade objects through carving and shaping, ranging from simple artwork to entire furniture sets. It also helps build DIY confidence with tools.
In Galway City, a free woodcarving workshop hosted by Eoin Reardon takes place on Monday, August 17th from 10 am to 5.15 pm at St Nicholas' Collegiate Church on Lombard Street.
Eoin is a young Irish influencer and woodworker who will be showing visitors traditional carpentry techniques with hand tools.
While gratis, this needs to be pre-booked.
In Co Kerry, Eoin will return for a carpentry demonstration on Thursday, August 20th from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm at Muckross Schoolhouse.
Meanwhile, through his functional and fine art forms as a woodcarver, Patrick Sweeney believes in giving trees a second life.
He is hosting a wood-turning demonstration from 10 am to 4 pm on Friday, August 21st, and Saturday, August 22nd, at Glenveagh National Park in Co Donegal.
He will be exposing the unique grain patterns of fallen trees and creating art out of them.
Make a case for baskets
Basket weaving can be used to create all manner of baskets, from potato skibs used decoratively on walls or atop a table to creels for housing timber.
Some makers, such as master craftsman Martin O'Flynn, have turned it into a fine art form and showcase sculptural pieces.
He will be hosting a basket-making workshop at Muckross Schoolhouse in Co Kerry on Monday, August 17th, from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
This will be followed by a willow weaving workshop for adults, hosted by heritage specialist Beth Murphy.
All participants will make an individual 2D project using ancient techniques. Beth has been promoting heritage craft in schools since 2005, while also working as a part-time tutor.
The workshop will take place on August 19th from 3 pm to 4.15 pm at Kilcullen Community Library on New Abbey Road in Co Kildare. While also free, pre-booking will be necessary.
Spinning yarns
Wool spinning is another centuries-old form of crafting that involves running different types of wool through a spinning wheel to create the foundation material for all manner of weaving, knitting and other handmade crafts.
Artist Gráinne Zannis will host a spinning wool demonstration and talk at Clonmel Library in Co Tipperary on Saturday, August 15th from 2 pm to 4 pm. Free to attend, pre-booking is essential.
Donegal talent Johnny Shiels is also hosting a similar style of demo and talk on Friday, August 21st, from 10 am to 4 pm at Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal.
Shiels is a third-generation spinning wheel maker who has visited schools around the country to spread knowledge of the craft.
The fine art of lacemaking
From tablecloths to doilies, café curtains to bedspreads, the delicate craft of lacemaking can really turn a house into a unique home.
On Saturday, August 15th, members of the Guild of Irish Lacemakers will host a talk and workshop at the Pearse Museum in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, from 2 pm to 4 pm.
The group will explore Ireland's history with the craft.
Meanwhile, Thread and Hook Through Time is an event taking place at the county library in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on Saturday, August 22nd from 10.15 am to 1 pm.
This will be hosted by Irish Crochet Lace Revival, a Tallaght-based group established in 2016 with the hope of generating a renewed interest in the local cottage industry.
Visitors will be able to meet them and watch how lace is made at the event.
