Crafts in the Garden

County Clare’s rural traditions and craft producers will be celebrated in Kilrush on Sunday, 8th September, when the 2024 Vandeleur Walled Garden Harvest Day takes place.

The family day out will feature a range of activities, demonstrations and events such as a local producers market, demonstrations of traditional skills, a group artist exhibition and a local produce competition.

Brian Markham, Acting Head of Operations at Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre, commented:

“We are welcoming people, both young and old, from all over Clare and further afield to Kilrush on September 8th for what will be a celebration of our many producers and those who have kept rural traditions and crafts of old alive.”

Visitors will be able to witness local craftspeople at work including Deirdre Hetherington of West Clare Willow as she carries on the time-honoured tradition of basket making, wool craft and knitting demonstrations with Valerie Leonard from the Loop Head Alpacas, a metalwork demonstration by Blacksmith Jamie Smith of Triscele Forge, and forging with Paddy Murray of Kilkee Forge.

The Bean an Tí will be demonstrating the art of butter making, while there will also be Aran Knitting, Weaving, Crochet, Needle Felting, Wool Crafts and Wood Turning.