Kildare makers gearing up for August Craft Month

Kildare Makers Prepare for August Craft Month

The largest annual celebration of craft on the island of Ireland, August Craft Month, is underway, with nearly 600 events taking place across the country, including in County Kildare. The event showcases a wide range of crafts, from traditional practices to contemporary innovations, and features hands-on workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, open studios, and markets.

Organized by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and Craft NI, the month-long celebration aims to bring together makers, skills, and stories that shape the thriving craft sector. With over 3,500 makers participating, the event provides opportunities for people to experience, participate in, support, buy, and learn about local crafts.

In Kildare, several events are scheduled, including a three-day summer sewing camp for children, a pottery workshop, and a wax carving workshop for jewelry making. These events are designed to be accessible, with many being free or reasonably priced, as organizers believe that being creative should not be expensive.

Some of the events in Kildare include:

* Creative Sewing with Aideen Cross, a three-day summer sewing camp for children aged 7-14, taking place on August 11-13 at Main St, Rathangan, for €95.
* Pottery Workshop, taking place on August 19 at the John Sullivan (IWA) Centre in Clane, where participants can learn basic pottery techniques and create their own unique piece.
* Carve Your Own Ring Wax Carving Workshop, led by award-winning designer Cara Sturgess, taking place on August 23 at Gather Store in Kildare, for €159.

For the full program and to sign up for events, visit www.augustcraftmonth.org. The event organizers encourage participants to share their craft adventures on social media.

Article and image source: leinsterleader.ie