Donegal Weaving, Wild Atlantic Way

As a way of contributing for the revival of the Donegal style of tweed weaving, a craft that goes back for over 100 years, WestBic, EU Business and Innovation Centre, Ireland, is organizing a full full-time traditional weaving course that started in September and will run until June 2022.

In response to an identified shortage of weavers trained in the Donegal style of weaving, the “Traditional Donegal Weaving” course was developed by the Donegal Education & Training Board (ETB), the largest provider of further education and training programmes in County Donegal, in partnership with many of the county’s leading weaving companies in response to a shortage of weavers trained in the Donegal style of weaving. The course it is accredited by the Scottish Qualification Authority. The Donegal ETB acquired facilities from gteic@Cill Charthaigh / WestBIC in Kilcar, County Donegal, an area of rich weaving tradition, in which to run the course.

The weaving course participants will be the first ever accredited hand weavers trained in Ireland in this traditional skill. This full-time 44 week accredited practical weaving programme is available to all nationwide and will also benefit weaving companies who are experiencing a shortage of fully trained skilled weavers. Beyond offering the opportunity to gain skills in a niche sector which lacks workforce, the Traditional Donegal Weaving course will contribute to the preservation of this heritage craft which is in imminent danger of being lost.

“In designing a course of this type, it is important to engage with the key stakeholders, in this case the weaving companies in order to identify where the skills gaps are evident. The course can then be designed to fulfil a real need, in this case a shortage of weavers trained in the Donegal style of weaving.” – said one of the organisers.