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creative
Communities

Dates
1st Sep 2025
to 30th Sep 2025

Age Range
All ages

Venue
INISTIOGE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Address
COIS ABHANN
CHURCH STREET
R95 CX52

Ceardlann Culaith Coileachs

Ceardlann Culaith Coileachs (Strawboy Costume Workshop) : Keep Her Lit is delighted to bring Monica Fleming to Inistioge village for a series of strawboy costume making workshops this September. 

Strawboys, mummers, wren boys, biddy boys - there is a strong history of straw costumes across the island of Ireland for different occasions at different times of the year. Our ancestors would use free materials close to hand - whether straw, rushes, heather or gorse, or more household materials such as tea towels, curtains and even underwear! According to Anne O Dowd (2015) In Kilkenny and Carlow they were known as ‘Collickers’, ‘Coileachs’ and the ‘Cailleachs’ and no matter the occasion, the strawboys offered ‘ádh mór’ or good luck to anybody they met on their travels.

Taking place in Cois Abhainn, Monica will facilitate four workshops across September, embracing sustainability, creativity and community wellbeing, to teach you how to weave and plait hats, shirts, skirts and gaiters to make your very own Strawboy Costume or Culaith Coileachs - just in time for Samhain!

New communities are especially welcome to experience and learn this traditional Irish craft, and bring their own unique culture and heritage to these workshops. 

All participants are invited to bring a piece of fabric, material or clothing that is special to you to weave into your costume. All other materials will be provided. 

Book: https://www.instagram.com/keepherlitfestival https://www.facebook.com/keepherlitfestival

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.

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