CELT WORKSHOPS NOVEMBER 2026 –
Join us for an informative and inspiring learning journey during the month of November with a number of one day Traditional Craft workshops with CELT Tutors and with some of our favourite guests – taking place at the Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, Co. Galway .. and also taking us to different locations around the country..
For full information on all our upcoming events and to book your place please visit us at –
Places are limited so please book early not to be disappointed.. https://www.celtnet.org/community-events
Pond Creation and Water Management with Féidhlim Harty
Sat, 08 Nov | 10.30 – 4.30pm
Location: Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, H62DX77
Loughrea
Water on the Land – Nature Restoration and Biodiversity
Join us for an informative and inspiring workshop on all things water management, ponds and wetlands, with renowned environmental consultant and author Féidhlim Harty. During the day long workshop we will explore the wetlands and ponds recently dug in August this year at the Slieve Aughty Centre, as part of a new Nature Restoration & Biodiversity Education Demonstration Project. Together, we’ll assess how these new habitats are developing and discuss practical approaches to managing water on farmland and in home settings. This hands-on session offers a great opportunity to learn about natural water retention, biodiversity enhancement, nature based solutions to climate action & sustainable landscape design.
The workshop briefly explores the role of conventional land and water management in addressing many of the problems that we see around flooding, climate breakdown and the biodiversity crisis and on the solutions for turning these problems around. This course is solutions oriented and practical, identifying and showcasing practical measures that can be adapted for any farm, urban area, or full stream or river catchment.
This workshop is part of CELT’s Biodiversity Action Plan Implementation, supported by the Community Foundation Ireland and The Hare’s Corner Ponds – Burrenbeo Trust.
Pond Expert and Workshop Facilitator Feidhlim Harty of FH Wetland Systems – offers consultancy, workshops and resources to help support you, your community, farm or local area to create space for nature and to find more nature-friendly ways to farm, garden or design edible planting elements within public and urban areas: for more about Feidlims work please visit his website where he writes… – https://wetlandsystems.ie
“Ecologist and writer EO Wilson has called for a Half-Earth policy, to dedicate half of the planet as space for nature, in a natural “wild” state to ensure that the biological diversity of life can thrive; and half for people, including space for housing, crops and livestock. With such a measure we can restore habitats, protect biodiversity, sequester atmospheric carbon in soil and plants, and generally make the planet more liveable in for ourselves and for every other species.”
For full information on all our upcoming events and to book your place please visit us at –
Places are limited so please book early not to be disappointed..
https://www.celtnet.org/events/pond-creation-and-water-management-with-feidhlim-harty
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Introduction to Hedge laying with Steve Bass from Hedgerows Ireland
Sat, 15 Nov | 10.30 – 4.30pm
Location: Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, H62DX77
Hedge laying is an ancient skill, involving a rejuvenative process that keeps the hedgerow young and vigorous indefinitely. It is considered the optimum form of management for our native hedgerows and it is hard to overstate its value in preserving habitats for our threatened wildlife and protecting Ireland’s biodiversity and vital for Ireland in addressing both our Climate and Biodiversity Targets. The role and importance of Hedgerows and their sustainable management is becoming increasingly clear in both our public and farming landscapes.
This one-day introduction course is aimed at novice hedge layers or anyone seeking to gain more hands on experience.
Tutors are: Steve Bass, Hedgerows Ireland with support from Julius Silvan, CELT Tutor & Forester
Training includes:
Pleaching, Binding, Hinge cutting, Building & Staking a Hedge, Organic lunch is included.
The Day involves a safety briefing, an introduction to the concept and benefits of hedge laying, practical demonstrations and practice in the skills of hedge laying on a specially selected hedge on an active working farm.
Tools will be provided, but participants must wear suitable outdoor and protective clothing.
For more information on the fantastic work of Hedgerows Ireland please visit .. https://hedgerows.ie/
For full information on all our upcoming events and to book your place please visit us at –
Places are limited so please book early not to be disappointed..
https://www.celtnet.org/events/introduction-to-hedge-laying-with-steve-bass-from-hedgerows-ireland
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The Living Willow Journey
Sat, 15 Nov | Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon –
Join us for an inspiring day at home with the amazing basket weaver duo Kate & Alan Burrows of Westcountry Willows – CELT’s Willow Tutor from our annual CELT Weekend In The Hills, Festival of Traditional Crafts. for a day exploring the beauty and benefits from being on ‘The Living Willow Journey’ taking place on Sat, 15 Nov | Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon
The Living Willow Journey is a hands-on event that introduces participants to the beauty, sustainability, and practical uses of willow with a workshop to go home with your very own living heritage and hand crafted willow work. The day will include a hands on demonstration of growing willow to meet your workshop requirements, harvesting and preparation of willow for its final use.. And a wonderful hands on practical workshop of using willow to make your very own willow work.
Places are limited to book please visit –
https://www.celtnet.org/events/the-living-willow-journey
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Make your own Festive Season Gifts!
One Day Stone Carving Workshop
Sun, 30 Nov | 10 – 4pm
Location: Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, H62DX77
Tommy your tutor will teach the fundamental skills of stone carving.This will be achieved by creating a stone “sketchbook” we will work step by step as a group creating this beautiful and unique piece of art and practicing a host of different skills and techniques.
You will learn…
- which tools are needed and what they’re for, the maintenance and correct use of said tools
- the preparation of the stone
- the process of transferring design onto the stone
- how to use the hammer and chisel
- Different texturing and cutting techniques to create different effects.
This sketch book workshop is an ideal workshop for beginners as you will become familiarised with most basic stone carving tools and techniques. This is an excellent foundation to go on to create future carvings supported at our 2 day workshops.
For full information on our upcoming events and to book your place please visit us at –
Places are limited so please book early not to be disappointed..
https://www.celtnet.org/events/one-day-stone-carving-workshop
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One Traditional Craft Day Doll Making Workshop
Sun, 30 Nov | 10 – 4pm
Location: Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, H62DX77
Sun, 30 Nov | Loughrea
A perfect Christmas gift!
The type of dolls made by tutor Laura are known as Waldorf or Steiner dolls. They are crafted entirely from natural materials such as cotton, sheep’s wool, yarn, and fabric. As a result, they are gentle on both the planet and the recipient.
These dolls are characterised by their simple features—just a small nose, and eyes and mouth that are delicately embroidered. They are warm and soft to hold, offering a comforting tactile experience.
“Doll making is something humans have done since the earliest times, and it is a skill that has largely been lost due to the widespread availability of mass-produced plastic dolls,” says Laura.
The dolls can be made entirely by hand. The workshop is structured in clear steps: beginning with the creation of the head and facial features, followed by stitching the body, cap, hands and feet and then assembling the doll. The doll we are making at this one day workshop will be an ideal gift for babies and young children. If you have a special fabric you would like to use I would encourage you to bring it along, otherwise a selection of simple cottons will be available on the day.
For full information on our upcoming events and to book your place please visit us at –
Places are limited so please book early not to be disappointed..
https://www.celtnet.org/events/one-day-doll-making
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Make your own Festive Season Presents with Needle Felting.
Sun, 30 Nov | 10 – 4pm
Location: Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, H62DX77
Spend a creative day to learn the beautiful art of needle felting!
Spend a creative day with artist/ tutor Kate Hayes. You learn the art of needle felting using local natural sheep’s wool. Guided step by step, you’ll create simple treasures. A snow friend and a festive pudding, each made slowly, by hand, with care. These small heartfelt pieces make beautiful gifts for others, or gentle keepsakes for your own home.
No experience is needed. You’ll be guided step-by-step.
Kits will also be available to buy on the day so you can continue making beautiful presents at home.
Please note: Materials for the workshop are an additional 20 euros, payable directly to the tutor.
Lunch is included in this workshop.
For full information on our upcoming events and to book your place please visit us at –
Places are limited so please book early not to be disappointed..
https://www.celtnet.org/events/make-your-own-festive-season-presents-with-needle-felting
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Handmade Chocolate with a Wild Twist with Olwyn The Wild food Specialist!
Sun, 30 Nov | 10 – 4pm
Location: Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, H62DX77
Untempered Chocolate, Chocolate Bark and Easy Truffles with CELT’s renown Forager and Wild Food Specialist, Olwyn Williams
Nothing beats handmade chocolate! Learn how to make a rich, dark, untampered chocolate bar from scratch, a crunchy chocolate bark and foolproof 3-ingredients-only milk chocolate truffles. Maybe you’ll gift them to loved ones, or maybe you’ll just keep them all for yourself!
This is chocolate with a twist though, a wild twist. Participants will personalize their chocolate bars using foraged ingredients such as powdered spruce tips, dried flowers, seaweed, mugwort and common hogweed seeds (and others). There will also be a selection of ingredients such as toasted nuts, Christmassy spices, dried fruit and cacao nibs to choose from.
Although we won’t be foraging on the day, you will learn about the foraged ingredients, such as how to identify them, what season to harvest them, their habitat, how to process them to store them, and other ways to use them in cooking or desserts.
The ingredients used are organic and fair-trade…
For full information on our upcoming events and to book your place please visit us at –
Places are limited so please book early not to be disappointed..
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Christmas Craft Market –
CELT are also delighted to have some of our tutors host a stall at the upcoming Christmas Market at the Slieve Aughty Centre showcasing sustainable gifts including some of our Weekend in the Hill Craft workers products for sale..with lots of tips and information for a Sustainable Festive Season, waste prevention and the alternatives to the traditional overconsumption of the precious resources of Mother Earth that takes place at this time of year!
Saturday, December 14th – Christmas Craft Market –
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Slieve Aughty Centre, Kylebrack, Loughrea, H62DX77
‘Explore this charming craft market filled with unique, locally-made gifts, perfect for everyone on your list. The market adds an extra sprinkle of holiday magic to the festivities! FREE entry (no registration needed)’
https://slieveaughtycentre.com/family-christmas-festival-galway/
Celt is supported with core funding from the Irish Environmental Network, and Community Climate Action Funding from Community Foundation Ireland through the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and under the Small Festivals Scheme by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
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