Heritage in the Schools

As a heritage expert I am qualified to teach about ancients arts, basketry, folklore and mythology in the national schools throughout Ireland with funding through the Heritage Council. If you are a teacher or a parent and would like to request a visit please get in touch!

You can find my profile and ways to book a visit at http://www.heritageinschools.ie/heritage-expert/profile/rosemary-kavanagh.

To find out more about this amazing scheme visit www.heritageinschools.ie.

During a visit, Rosemary connects the children to their natural environment and the wisdom of the past through connecting the classroom to the richness of our Ancient Arts. Working primarily outdoors, the children will get an understanding of the history of basket-making or another focused ancient arts through a visual & interactive presentation, storytelling, and practical hands-on projects. Each child will be given the opportunity to make their own unique creation using traditional techniques with native materials. A visit from Rosemary can include making things like: a woven fish, dolls, bird-houses & feeders, stars, brighid’s crosses, and platters—either made from field rush, bulrush, or coppiced heritage willow. Rosemary also offers courses in other Ancient Arts like fibre craft (including natural dying and spinning wool), leather craft (traditional ways to bark tan fish/sheep/cow hides into leather), and other coppice crafts. Additionally, if there is a green space within school grounds, Rosemary can design an outdoor living structure using low-maintenance willow that can be woven into tunnels, arches, domes, and other organic shapes. This is a great way for the children to learn about the botany, plant ID, seasonal rhythms and coppice crafts—and can include the whole school within different intervals if desired.

A typical day workshop will consist of 2 x 2 hour slots working with 30 children in each slot. To avail of the outdoor living willow structure, then 5 sessions is advisable.

All workshops can be tailored to suit the needs of each class.

Rosemary Kavanagh has dedicated the past 10 years to studying various Ancient Arts, primarily focusing on willow basket-making—she is very passionate about sharing the richness of our traditions and land-based wisdom with the next generation. Rosemary weaves for commissions, markets, and teaches across Ireland throughout the year. You can find more of her work at WildRoseBasketry.ie