Blatnaid Gallagher, Raising Galway Sheep | Fiberchats, Episode:266
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- Опубліковано 12 бер 2024
- This Episode is about preserving Galway Sheep in Ireland.
In 2019 Gallagher completed an MSc in NUIG, and part of her research was dedicated to the Irish Wool Crisis. Since then, she has devoted the following four years to further research and share her findings at public events relating to Wool, Nature, and the opportunities for Irish Grown Wool. She continues to share the knowledge and experience gained with other researchers and advocates of Irish Grown Wool through her presentations to students at Universities in Ireland and at international events such as - The World Hope Forum. Irish Crossroads Festival USA. European Seeds for Diversity Symposium - Trinity College Dublin.
Back in 2019 during a conversation with The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland she asked if they had any proposals to promote the re-introduction of Irish Grown Wool and they explained they were confident the woollen Industry would support it, if there was an Irish Grown Wool supply chain available to Designers and Creators and hence, The Galway Wool Co-op was formed in 2020 to restore the cultural integrity of the Native Irish Wool from our indigenous breed The Galway. Today we have over 50 members and growing.
Galway Wool is strong, pure, and deep with cultural heritage. The wool from our indigenous sheep is the foundation fibre on which we built our Irish Craft, Woollen, and Yarn Industry.
However, 60 years ago we began to import wool from merino sheep in Australia and today Irish Woollen Wear , Yarns & Bedding Products are mostly made from merino sheep’s wool, some British strong wool, and sometimes synthetic yarns. In the '60s and '70s our agricultural strategy switched to the importation of meat-producing sheep breeds and our beautiful Galway Sheep were sadly in decline, in 1980 they were on the European endangered list.
Every July we have a National Harvest of Galway Wool, the farmers bring their Galway from all -over Ireland to one central location.
We are a voluntary group, farmers are being paid for their wool, but we inspect, weigh, and harvest the wool as a community of wool producers working together to find a direct route to market. The work she does is philanthropic, believing these farmers need a voice and a step onto the world stage of Sustainable Interior & Heritage Yarns.
We have won National awards and recognition for our hard work. The ICONIC Aran Jumper was originally knit with yarn spun from our indigenous sheep, which explains why makers are excited to have this supply chain available again, bringing authenticity back to REAL IRISH WOOL. - Навчання та стиль
![ОРБАН приехал к ПУТИНУ и "отчитался" о поездке в Киев 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0ukDovOWq8/mqdefault.jpg)
"Everything that you touch in this World either comes from a farm or an oil rig."
A very powerful - and sobering - statement.
I haven’t thought that way before, but it’s so true
What a beautiful story. I had no idea about the differences in Irish wool. Blatnaid is on such a wonderful mission and her message is so heartfelt.
She’s so inspiring
An incredible honour to share our story with you. 😍
Thank you so much for everything you do!
Thank you for everything you are doing to bring this wonderful heritage wool back into circulation. 💕🧶🐑
Thank you for sharing this! It makes me so happy that so many places all over the world are reinvigorating their native, cultural fiber industries.
If I ever start traveling, I would love to purchase fiber from every place I visit 🧶🙏🏽💗
I agree, it’s so important to keep it alive
I love Blatnaid's passion for these beautiful animals and their wool. The idea of slowing down to care for animals and to do crafting is something that I never thought of comparing. That is a wonderful observation. Her energy makes me want to fly to Ireland to meet her and the sheep. 😍
Thank you so much for sharing, Irina. ❤
She makes me want to go to Ireland too
What a wonderful interview! Thanks so much for highlighting the really important work Blatnaid is doing with the Galway Wool Co-op. Aren’t those Galway girls so beautiful!!! 🐑 💚
I felt my blood pressure going down just from watching them :)
What a wonderful story! Those sheep were trying to steal the spotlight. My husband has an Aran sweater brought back from Ireland around 20 years ago - and, yes, sadly, it's merino.
I really enjoy visiting local farms to purchase their fibre goods. Sdtill trying to convince my brother-in-law farmer to raise some sheep, alpacas and angora goats.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful?!! You could knit Aran sweater from his sheep
Thanks to both of you for such an interesting discussion. I learned a lot about Galway sheep and their importance among sheep breeds. Keep heritage sheep breeds thriving.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Irena, Thank you so much for this show. I grew up with Irish sweaters, my dad having been born there. When my sister brought me one recently from Ireland, I was a bit surprised to see it was Merino. Much softer than what I remembered, but definitely not as warm. So grateful to learn why this change happened and understand more about the Irish wool market.
I will be looking for Galway wool next time I'm in Ireland -- or someone I know goes there. :)
I was surprised to learn that as well
Wow! That was a terrific interview! I love the historical connections. We need more folks turning back to natural fibers. Thank you.
Totally agree
What a passionnate women with a great mission !!! These look like happy sheep !!!
It was so much fun to see Blatnaid among her flock
Great, Blatnaid! Go on, please!
Hello from Swansea, Illinois.
Lanolin is king! I grew up with extensive exposure to it since probably my conception, I can recognize the feeling, the smell, the sound and all ... from the get-go. Love to Ms. Gallagher! Love to Fiberchats and Irina! 🤗👍
Thank you! ❤️❤️
Such a great interview. I had no idea that most of the wool in Ireland was imported. Very sobering and sad. Love the passion, love and enthusiasm Blatnaid has forbringing this wool back into crafters hands. Thank you for this interview, Irina!
It was a very important conversation. I’m glad I discovered Blatnaid
I just sat down to work on my Galway Blanket by Irish designer Carol Feller and watch UA-cam! It's so cool to have a lap full of this Irish yarn while listening to you two tell its story.
Makes it even more special
Thank you for a very beautiful and informative video. Would love to go the their festival!
Me too! It sounds wonderful
Thank you, thank you, thank you! What a beautiful story! As someone who has in the last two years specifically searched out what I would call, real wool I will be searching for this!
Thank you!
I just loved this ❤ Thank you both 😊 xxx
❤️❤️
The people who provide the products that are essential to life know far more how to preserve them than bureaucrats do.
Really enjoyed!😊
So glad!
Thank you for this episode. I went to Ireland last year and wanted to purchase local yarn but unfortunately could not find yarn shops. I purchased recycled yarn at a major tourist shop. Very disappointing. I will keep my eye on this farm & the Galway sheep yarn.
Wonderful! I love checking out local yarn stores on my travels
Don’t lower the micron count leave the Galway just as it is it’s perfect❤
such an interesting interview, thank you. That has to be the ultimate emotional support chicken too!
Haha, that chicken was adorable
Does the natural lanolin repel moths?
According to google it does