Fibreshed Ireland was established in February 2022 by Kit Keawwantha, a fibre artist and ecologist, and Malú Colorín, a natural dyer and designer. The founding motivation stemmed from frustrations with the undervaluation of Irish wool and the scarcity of Irish-grown fibres and dyes in the market. Recognising the fragmented nature of the local textile ecosystem, Kit and Malú aimed to unify the “small players” on the island into a cohesive force for change.

With 129 active members and 7 organisers, Fibreshed Ireland provides valuable networking opportunities through various events, including their annual symposium in Dublin. They lead a knowledge transfer group to develop a verification system for Irish textiles produced using agroecological principles. Additionally, the affiliate supports businesses in bridging the fibre processing gap to enable local processing and spinning of wool and flax. Their outreach includes speaking engagements and workshops at public and policy events, advocating for biodiverse ecosystems and vibrant Irish fibres.

“Focusing on serving our members through an online hub that allows them to feel more integrated as part of a supportive community”

Kit Keawwantha, Fibreshed Ireland

Among their significant achievements, Fibreshed Ireland successfully organised its first symposium within a year of inception, attracting diverse stakeholders from the Irish textile sector. The co-founders were featured in the Irish Times’ “50 People to Watch” in 2023. They also played a key role in supporting Mourne Textiles with a successful crowdfunding campaign for restoring vintage flax spinning machinery. As they continue to expand, their focus is on building an online hub for member integration and increasing visibility and support for their initiatives.

Website: https://fibreshedireland.ie/