athenamediaieEpisode 3 broadcast on 17th October 2011 on the Today with Pat Kenny Show on RTÉ Radio 1, presented by Ella McSweeney
The Woolly Way
It’s a fact all too well known if you farm sheep for a living – but it’s still a surprise to those of us who don’t - to learn that Irish wool, once a premium product, is hardly ever used in knitting anymore. Aran Sweaters, Foxford Rugs, Donegal Tweed - all synonymous with Ireland, and all made with imported wool. One lady who is trying to boost the market for Irish wool is Freda McGill, who keeps rare breed Wendsleydale Sheep in Co. Down. She runs the “Wool Initiative” that connects craftspeople with farmers.
madeinirelandEpisode 2 broadcast on 10th October 2011 on the Today with Pat Kenny Show on RTÉ Radio 1, presented by Ella McSweeney
Hide and Sow: Leather-working in Ireland
It’s no surprise that Ireland used to export vast quantities of leather hide across Europe. Shoes, saddles, sofas - our leather was in demand. But today, there are no tanneries left in the country and only a handful of people are working with leather. Ella meets Willie Power, who spent decades working in Portlaw Tannery in Waterford; she also talks to Paul Ronan who ran the last tannery in Ireland. George Tutty is one man who uses leather every day - for 60 years his family has handmade shoes in Kildare. Ella meets him to find out more.
soundmapMany thanks for adding the 'uksm' tag. Your recording has already been included on the UK SoundMap, but we've had to catch up on our acknowledgements due to the large number of contributions received lately.
play0:00 / 12:50It wasn’t too long ago when you could buy a blanket, scarf or jumper that was made from wool off an Irish sheep. Not any more. Today, ne...
