Courses
I teach for a wide variety of groups, events, and organisations throughout the year, below you will find my self-organised group courses generally hosted in West Cork. If you are a group or organisation and would like to host me in your parish or visit for private tuition, please read below and do get in touch. Additionally I work in National Schools throughout the country through the Heritage in Schools scheme, teaching weaving, gardening, biodiversity, fibre arts, storytelling and other ancient arts, you can find my profile here. I look forward to working with you!
Please note, by booking a course you are agreeing to the cancellation policy.
2026 Courses- Spring and Summer
All of my courses are suitable for the complete beginner alongside the well seasoned experienced weaver. I cater the techniques I teach to match each students ability.
Two Day Willow Basketry Course
Ballydehob Community Hall, Co. Cork
Saturday & Sunday
28th and 29th of March 2026
10:00-17:00, both days
In this weekend course we will focus on round baskets. Each participant can choose what they would like to focus on—skibs, laundry baskets, bread baskets, trays, shopping baskets, curvy baskets storage baskets, log baskets—you decide!
If you are a beginner we will focus on the basics, if you have previous experience we can explore more advanced techniques, shaping and more technical designs. We will go over: willow growing, materials preparation, weaving a round base, slyping uprights, pull-down wale, three-rod wale, randing, designs and colours, borders, handles, and ‘feet’! There will also be opportunity to play around with various colours of heritage willow for patterns. An excellent and thorough introduction course for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the ancient techniques of weaving with willow or improve their understanding and knowledge of this ancient craft.
Organic tea, coffee and homemade treats provided
Inclusive of tools and heritage willow materials fee
Maximum of 8 participants for small class size
€220, inclusive of booking fee
Frame Basketry Weekend
CECAS, Myross House
Leap, Co. Cork
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
24-26th of April, 2026
10:00-16:30, all days
In this three day course, we will take a deep dive into the intricacies and techniques of making strong and beautiful frame baskets. This is one of my areas of my weaving expertise that I have focused on for over 16 years. Each participant will get to weave at least one basket, with the possibility of beginning a second in the same style or learning another style of frame basket. One has the option between a St. Brighid’s Harvest Basket, Scottish Trug Basket, Danish Frame Basket, Ulster Potato Basket, wide selection of trays, Hen Basket, rucksack basket, and so on. This course is suitable for complete beginners and advanced weavers.
If you are a beginner weaver, I would recommend weaving a St. Brighid’s Egg Basket, Danish Frame Basket or a Hen Basket.
In this class we will cover willow growing and preparation, hoop making from 9ft+ willow, splitting willow and skein-making, frame basket basics, and traditional willow weaving techniques, all while working with different varieties of heritage basketry willow. One will have the option to work with colourful varieties of willow and go home with their own timeless basket.
Organic tea, coffee and homemade treats provided
Inclusive of tools and heritage willow materials fee
Maximum of 8 participants
€320, inclusive of booking fee
Willow Platter Workshop
Ballydehob Community Hall
Saturday
The 6th of December 2025
14:00-17:30
In this morning class suitable for all abilities, we will weave our own willow platters from colourful varieties of heritage Irish weaving willow. These make a beautiful platter for the table, a drying rack, hotplate, and a fantastic Christmas gift for a beloved.
Organic tea, coffee and homemade treats provided
Inclusive of tools and heritage willow
Maximum of 10 participants
€70 inclusive of booking fee
Two Day Willow Basketry Course
Ballydehob Community Hall, Co. Cork
Saturday & Sunday
11th and 12th of April 2026
10:00-17:00, both days
In this weekend course we will focus on round baskets. Each participant can choose what they would like to focus on—skibs, laundry baskets, bread baskets, trays, shopping baskets, curvy baskets storage baskets, log baskets—you decide!
If you are a beginner we will focus on the basics, if you have previous experience we can explore more advanced techniques, shaping and more technical designs. We will go over: willow growing, materials preparation, weaving a round base, slyping uprights, pull-down wale, three-rod wale, randing, designs and colours, borders, handles, and ‘feet’! There will also be opportunity to play around with various colours of heritage willow for patterns. An excellent and thorough introduction course for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the ancient techniques of weaving with willow or improve their understanding and knowledge of this ancient craft.
Organic tea, coffee and homemade treats provided
Inclusive of tools and heritage willow materials fee
Maximum of 8 participants for small class size
€220, inclusive of booking fee
Willow Garden Structures
Ballydehob Community Hall, Co. Cork
Sunday
23rd of May, 2026
10:00-17:00
In this one day course, we will learn all about different types of garden structures. Each participant will get to make at least two structures to bring home for their garden. We will learn at least two different styles of garden structures—one for plants to climb up and one ‘cloche’ that can act as a mini poly-tunnel or a little structure for plant to support their heavy heads of flowers. We will learn the traditional ‘irish twist’ weave that is perfect for plant supports and learn various styles and techniques that suit gardens and plants well. You will go home with at least two structures, and the knowledge of how to weave and improvise with various materials to weave beautiful and strong structures for your garden. Please note the course fee is slightly higher than other day courses due to the large amount of materials that these structures require.
Organic tea, coffee and homemade treats provided
Inclusive of tools and heritage willow materials fee
Maximum of 8 participants for small class size
€120, inclusive of booking fee
Willow Star Workshop
Ballydehob Community Hall
Saturday
The 6th of December 2025
10:00-12:30
Join us for a morning of weaving a colourful willow star that can be used to decorate your Christmas table, as an ornament for your tree, a piece for the wall, or a gift for a loved one!
In this three hour workshop, you will get to make at least one of these beautiful and timeless Willow Stars. We will have a introduction to the ancient art of weaving with a brief talk about willow growing, willow preparation and and working with heritage varieties of Irish willow. Each participant will be able to make at least one star.
Organic tea, coffee and homemade treats provided
Inclusive of tools and heritage willow
Maximum of 10 participants
€45 inclusive of booking fee
Three Day Willow Basketry Course
Ballydehob Community Hall, Co. Cork
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
8th-10th of May, 2026
10:00-16:30, all days
In this long weekend course, each participant can choose what they would like to focus on—if you are more advanced you can explore more technical shapes and weaves, oval and square baskets, willow handbags, lids, etc. If you are a beginner I would recommend focusing on round bases and shapes. This is a fabulous course for immersing yourself in this beautiful and ancient craft, perfect for complete beginner and advanced weavers.
We will go over: willow growing, materials preparation, weaving a round base, slyping uprights, pull-down wale, three-rod wale, randing, designs and colours, borders, handles, and ‘feet’! There will also be opportunity to play around with various colours of heritage willow for patterns. An excellent and thorough introduction course for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the ancient techniques of weaving with willow or improve their understanding and knowledge of this ancient craft.
Organic tea, coffee and homemade treats provided
Inclusive of tools and heritage willow materials fee
Maximum of 8 participants for small class size
€325, inclusive of booking fee
Bullrush Basketry Courses this October
I am delighted to welcome a very talented weaver from Scotland, Hermione Toulson, to West Cork this October to teach two full weeks of Bullrush Basketry. We are so lucky to host her!
Hermione Toulson is a basketmaker living near Edinburgh, Scotland. She studied Basketmaking at Westhope College (City & Guilds) and has trained with renowned makers such as Anne Mette Hjornholm, Pascal Carr, Tim Johnson and Alison Fitzgerald.
She began working with rush when living in Somerset, having access to the rivers where this beautiful material grows in abundance, and being drawn to it's colour and ease of use. She continues to experiment with this versatile material, as well as exploring other locally abundant materials and traditional techniques.
In 2025 Hermione was selected as a participant in the Craft Scotland COMPASS Emerging Maker Program. She is a member of the Scottish Basketmakers Circle, and the Basketmakers Association.
Bullrush Woven Hats
Ballydehob Community Hall
Saturday and Sunday
18th and 19th of October 2025
Spend the weekend learning how to weave your own sunhat made from hand-harvested bulrush/common club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris) with an amazing weaver Hermione Toulson from Scotland.
During this two day workshop you will learn how rush is harvested and prepared for weaving, and make your own sunhat on a block/mould using a variety of traditional weaving techniques.
You'll come away with a beautiful sunhat that is ideal for everyday use, a new appreciation of this once widely used and versatile material, and a range of weaving techniques that can be applied to other projects.
Hats will be made to your head size on a wooden mould. This workshop is suitable for beginners, and those with some basket weaving experience.
Neolithic Braiding
CECAS, Myross House, Leap, Co. Cork
Friday
24th of October 2025
A one day workshop taught by expert weaver Hermione Toulsan visiting from Scotland. She will be introducing the ancient neolithic braiding technique. Also known as the Burkina weave or continuous braiding, this technique is traditionally found in Africa, Spain, and northern Scotland. It lends itself well to rush and other soft materials, but can also be used with willow.
We will start by getting to grips with the technique, exploring a few different ways these baskets can be started, and potentially progress onto creating a small pouch.
Suitable for beginners and those with some experience, but new to this technique.
Bullrush Handbags
CECAS, Myross House, Leap, Co. Cork
Friday
25-26th of October 2025
During this two day workshop visiting teacher Hermione Toulsan from Scotland will teach how to weave beautiful and timeless rush handbags/purses on a square mould.
There will be an opportunity to explore different side waves, such as ticktock (pictured), or the blackberry weave, as well as to try different borders and feet.
We will also add a handle/strap: either vegetable tanned leather or, if time allows, plaited rush.
This is an opportunity to explore more diverse weaving techniques and create unique designs, so is suited to those with basketmaking or weaving experience. However, simple designs will also be achievable for beginner makers.
Private Tuition
If you have a particular project in mind, would like to learn or improve certain techniques or would prefer more focused attention, I offer private one-to-one tuition at my workshop near Bantry in West Cork. If interested, please e-mail me at contact@wildrosebasketry.ie
Private Groups or Events
If you would like to host a basketry course, please do get it touch! I can offer 2 hour-full day workshops for groups of any size.
Heritage in the Schools
If you are a primary school teacher or have a child in primary school, I offer subsidised school visits through the Heritage Council in teaching ancient arts through the Heritage in the Schools scheme—click here for more info.
