County Wicklow is bursting at the seams with creative folks of every category. With local artisans offering everything from abstract art classes to willow weaving across the entire county, what’s stopping you?
July 2022 saw the launch of Wicklow Craft Foundation with the overarching purpose ‘To support and implement the 2023-2027 Craft Strategy for Co. Wicklow which will propose many new initiatives for the development of the craft sector and the many opportunities that will be put forward. Such initiatives will propose the creation of a Centre of Excellence for craft, workshop and studio hubs, educational programmes and more.
One of the things that the new strategy will provide is supports for local craftspeople to be able to extend their skills to others by offering courses, lessons and workshops.
Whether you are crying out to scratch your creative itch, you want to meet new people or you are simply looking to change things up in 2023, trying out a short course in a new skill is a great way to test the water before you commit.
Here are some of our favourite spots to try out a new craft in County Wicklow:
Windrush Farm in Newtownmountkennedy run a range of courses throughout the year and you can choose from jewellery making, felting, willow weaving and art.
Refashioned.ie – based in Tinahely, Refashioned offer a number of courses in sewing, dressmaking and fashion upcycling.
Wicklow Willow are based in Glendalough and offer basket making, Willow sculpture and even a gazebo making course!
You can find Crafty Craic in the historic Glen of Imaal where you can take a candle making masterclass, take a shoemaking class or grab the gang for ‘wax and nibbles.’
Wicklow County Libraries are offering a huge range of classes across a variety of artistic disciplines and are well worth a look to see if you can pick up a free class in a warm, welcoming environment.
Navigating the events section of the website is a bit like putting on a jumper made of spaghetti so we have included some links by month for you. Failing that, you can always give your local library a call and they will be delighted to let you know whats on.
