Willow Harvesting & St Bridgid’s Cross Workshop

We recently held our first willow harvesting workshop at the farm. A bunch of amazing people came along for a morning of learning, chatting, crafting & community. It was totally brill!

Willow growing, harvesting & weaving has such a rich & ancient history in Ireland. Despite not being from these parts, I’m very lucky to be able to include all these jobs in my annual calendar - another way for me to connect to the land, the past & enjoy making beautiful & useful woven things!

With freshly sharpened secateurs headed to the farm’s sally garden, to harvest all of the seven ancient weaving varieties that we grow. These varieties have been cloned for centuries here in Ireland - mine originate from the Irish willow legend, Joe Hogen - I love that I get to grow & weave with the very same willow that people were weaving with here hundreds of years ago.

In the Cow Byre we sorted the willow, then retreated to The Gallery (our cosy event space) to make St Brigid’s crosses. We chatted about the symbolism of protection & good fortune, over a cup of hot tea. It was a joy!

It was a super day, I loved every minute, re-connecting with friends & making some lovely new ones too! I hope we can run more willow weaving workshops at the farm later in the year - I’m keen to make more garden obelisks or domes for climbers!

As always our chef Claire was on hand with a deliciously hearty lunch - butternut bourguignon with buttery champ to warm the cockles of our hearts, & a decedent chocolate Guinness cake for dessert!

Eileen from Moreish Good Food joined Claire in the kitchen as together they are planning one of our most exciting Supper Clubs yet! An Irish Mexican Celebration Feast! It will of course be hosted here at the farm in our twinkly event space The Gallery, and tickets are on sale now! You can join us on either the evenings of Friday 15th or Saturday 16th March! You can find all the details here!

So if you fancy joining us for a night of feasting, wood-fired flatbreads and a cracking fire at the end of the night, grab your spot now! I hope to see some of you very soon!

Love Jo

Amazing photos as always by Sharon Cosgrove Photography.