24/04/25
The Wise Wool Project is an initiative aimed at bringing awareness to wool waste in Ireland. Throughout 2024, the project delivered wool felting workshops countywide and educating the public on wool as a valuable resource rather than a waste product, in partnership with Curraghmore Farms.
Kerry Walker and Lisa Sandow are the driving force behind The Wise Wool Project. The project’s main aim is to reimagine Ireland’s wool waste and engage the community in sustainable practices and solutions to address the issue. By reducing wool waste and promoting eco-friendly, circular economy practices, the initiative seeks to create long-term awareness and change in how we view wool.
“Of the 7 thousand tonnes of wool clipped in the Republic of Ireland, most of it goes unused. Wool is currently considered a category 3 waste product in Ireland,” stated Lisa Sandow. Through their dedication and passion, Kerry and Lisa have successfully highlighted the potential of wool as a valuable resource, fostering creativity and sustainability in communities across Ireland.
The Wise Wool Project offered workshops in schools and community centres, as well as at major events such as:
The 2024 stage of the project concluded with the Woolly Celebration Day held at Kate Kearney’s Cottage and marked the culmination of the previous seven months of the Wise Wool Project. Following a wet felting workshop, Séan the Seanchaí captivated the audience with young and old alike, with enchanting woolly tales that brought laughter and inspiration to all. The event also featured demonstrations and stalls from local and national fibre artists, the Kerry premier film screening of the documentary: ‘Notes From Sheepland’ and concluded with a panel discussion of local experts in the area of wool waste.
The Wise Wool Project looks set to continue in successfully achieving their aim in raising awareness of Ireland’s wool waste all while engaging the community in sustainable practices and solutions. Bringing together the farmers, creators and community for these events and discussions is generating a greater awareness of our natural resource of wool, how it is currently classed a waste product rather than the versatile material that is and had been regarded as for generations before us.
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