Weaving in the Woodlands
Spend some quality time with artist weaver Jeanette Keenan, learning basket weaving skills and take home a finished hand woven piece.
Woodlands Basket Weaving Experience
Using organically grown willow, learn the basic techniques of basket weaving and complete your own handwoven piece under expert guidance.
Jeanette will take good care of your needs, greeting you with tea, coffee and morning snacks, followed by an informal and fun class in Bluebell’s natural timber roundhouse.
Have fun and learn (or improve) a new skill
This immersive experience is suitable for total beginners, but also good for those wishing to improve practice or just want to turn up and make a basket, without all the bother of sourcing, soaking and mellowing the willow.
Classes are very informal and sociable with small numbers to allow one-to-one guidance from Jeanette.
Enjoy the Ring of Gullion with an Ecological Ethos
Connect with nature and become part of our sustainable craft programme which aims to make positive contributions to developing a plastic-free environment for our children’s future. Take a short stroll along Johnny's woodland trail to visit the ancient Celtic roundhouse, a fine demonstration of how hand weaving and thatching played a role in our architectural heritage
What to expect from your experience...
Learn or improve upon a skill endowed with heritage and culture
Learn the ancient heritage skills of traditional basket weaving and its historical significance.
Personal Woven Basket
Take home a uniquely crafted personal piece for use in your home or garden.
Organic Materials
Become a real part of the positive contribution to reversing climate change, utilising locally sourced organic materials to help create #nomoreplastic products for our homes.
Beautiful Settings and Surroundings
Enjoy time well spent in good company around a log fire, in the beautiful woodland setting at Bluebell Lane.
About the Experience Host
Trained initially in textile design, artist weaver Jeanette Keenan turned to working exclusively with natural materials and found objects, amidst growing concern about climate damage caused by the textile industry. Inspired by Ring of Gullion’s natural landscape, Jeanette produces hand woven pieces that are both beautiful and functional. Continuing her passion for environment, Jeanette teamed up with Bluebell Lane’s Pádraig Carragher in 2020 to contribute to his sustainable craft programme; growing, harvesting, making and teaching craft, using specially selected willow for basket weaving
Come join us at Bluebell Lane for this magnificent experience!
