This
page has been update; to link with the Weavers' Cottages
Website please click on the link below:
www.clonegalkildavin.ie/weavers
The
Weaver's Cottages
Clonegal, Co. Carlow.
Opening
times
•
Weekdays March to Mid October 12.00 – 16.00
Admission
charges: Free – As the Weavers
Cottage is a voluntary organisation, all donations greatly
appreciated.
Nestled between
the Blackstairs and The Wicklow Mountains, in the village of
Clonegal, lies a Weavers Cottage, full of charm
and character. The Weavers Cottage, a 17th century construction
by Alexander Durdin was built for local weavers. Originally there
was a row of 6 cottages. This cottage would have been part
of the cottage industry prior the mechanisation of the craft.
Set facing onto the main street of the village of Clonegal, the
cottage comprises a pair of semi-detached, two-bay, single storey
dormer cottages with attic conversion. Within spinning wheels,
looms and shawls woven on site are all visible to the visitor.
Evidence for weaving in Ireland dates to prehistoric times, with
many fragments found in anaerobic conditions in the country’s
bogs. Historical documentations show that spinning and weaving
was held in high regard, and the skill and craftsmanship an important
attribute to possess. Many villages possessed a weaver, with
other travelling crafts people often residing in areas for a
time before moving on again. Small timber profiles gave way to
bigger looms and ultimately mechanical equipment. The craft has
been kept alive by a few and now once again, there is an increase
in the number of weavers practicing traditional methods in Ireland.
Here in Clonegal we ask you to step back into the traditional
setting of a weaver’s cottage.
Through enormous work in recent times, the garden to the rear
of the cottage once again contains the traditional vegetables
that were consumed at the time of the occupancy of the Weaver’s
Cottage. Depending on the time of year, visitors may find stables
such as potatoes, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, onions, leeks,
with herbs such as chive, tarragon, mint, rosemary and plants
like blackcurrents, raspberries, gooseberries, and strawberries.
While in season, small, vegetable soup packs compiled from produce
from the garden may be bought from the cottage as a way of making
the cottage self-sustainable.
Email address: weaverscottage1@gmail.com
For Further Information, Contact: John McCabe 053 9377575
HOW TO FIND US: In the village of Clonegal. Clonegal is situated
10km from the village of Ballon off the N80 and 17km from Tullow.
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/weaverscottage/status/625632937124478976
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1Ly7Vfa
