Crafts of Ireland

Crafts of Ireland is a heritage craft studio set on a working family farm at Knocknaveagh, near Virginia in County Cavan, close to the Cavan and Meath border. Established in 2016 to share traditional skills and preserve Irish craft heritage, it combines a purpose-built studio with tea rooms where visitors are welcomed with home baking served on vintage china.

The farm is home to a small flock of rare-breed Roscommon sheep, whose wool is processed on site, and a patch of flax is grown to produce linen thread, reviving a craft once practised widely in the area. Seasonal farm life is part of a visit, with lambs in spring and flax planting in April. The studio also houses antique spinning wheels, vintage sewing machines and a working display of antique circular sock knitting machines used to make seamless wool socks.

A range of hands-on workshops is offered for beginners and experienced crafters alike, covering wool spinning, traditional lace, crochet, knitting, needle felting, pebble art, string art and peg loom weaving. Group tours include presentations on traditional Irish crafts and the history of flax growing and textile production. An online shop sells items such as hand-dyed yarns, knitted socks, pottery and jewellery.

Visits are by appointment, and the studio is wheelchair accessible with free car and coach parking. Its hilltop setting in south Cavan looks out towards the megalithic tombs of the Loughcrew hills in neighbouring County Meath.