Mary O'Rourke has been working with with Irish women in an educational project called The Shanty. In it she teaches traditional handspinning, weaving and felting. They have developed high quality hand crafted products, successfully marketing them as "Weaving Dreams". Weaving Dreams now employs nine people and continues to expand with its environmentally friendly unique items.

John McAtasney, The Master Irish Weaver, has over 50 years experience as a professional weaver. He specializes in handwoven blankets, damask linen and crioses. And the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum has exhibition text panels demonstrating the production of flax to fabric.

Maire Ni Thaidhg makes fabulous handwoven jackets, using the colours of her surrounding seascape as inspiration.

Thinking of Ireland brings to mind of course, Irish linen. Fergusons Irish Linen gives a tour of their mill. It is situated on the River Bann and is worth a visit, if not in person, at least in cyberspace.

If you have a linen damask tablecloth or clothing made of linen, an excellent guide to caring for your linen is provided by the House of Linen.

Want to know more about Irish linen? The Irish Linen Guild is a promotional group dedicated to education and marketing activities for the linen industry.

Resources for the Creative Traveller has additional info on places to visit in Ireland and the U.K.