About

History of The Liberties Weavers

The idea to develop a project promoting weaving in the Liberties first started in 2018 when Marja Almqvist, textile artist and adult education tutor with the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB), met Cathy Scuffil, Dublin City Council Historian in Residence for Dublin Central. Both were passionate about the history of the tradition of weaving in the Liberties and also concerned about the narrative that has been emerging that the Liberties is only famous for the production of whiskey and beer. They were also concerned about the recent building boom in the area, which didn’t seem to take enough account of the needs and wishes of local residents.

Marja had been approached by Dublin City Council to run a weaving workshop and together Marja and Cathy decided to pitch the idea that a course could be developed which would combine history and practical hands-on weaving skills. With the support and collaboration of both their employers, they ran a series of taster workshops in Dublin 8, and discovered through these, that there was considerable local interest in the project.

Through the taster workshops, twelve participants were recruited and the first Weaving in the Liberties course started in September 2018. The course proved to be a great success and in September 2019 a further ten students were recruited for a night class along the same lines.

In January 2020, Weaving in the Liberties ran a two-day seminar, exhibition and weaving workshops in the new Hyatt hotel. This was attended by over 200 people and was a great success. It proved to us that the idea of promoting weaving as a craft and a means for local development was indeed a viable idea, and we faced the new year with considerable optimism.

Claire Byrne, one of our original students, took the initiative to establish The Liberties Weavers as an independent community group. After a series of online meetings The Liberties Weavers drafted a constitution and elected a steering group. The Liberties Weavers was formally established in February 2021. Claire is the first chairperson of this new group. The group continues to host classes, events, and walking tours in the Liberties and is actively searching for a permanent space situated in its namesake neighborhood. Marja retired from the group in 2023.

Check out this award winning documentary to learn more

Directed by Audrey Lewis and produced by Fiona Murphy as part of a Champlain College Dublin documentary film making class, led by Barrie Dowdall.

Want to learn more about the history of weaving in the Liberties?

Download our free booklet

Download

Meet the Team

Cathy Scuffil

Historian in Residence, Committee Member
Cathy is a Historian in Residence with Dublin City Council for the Dublin South Central area and over the last few years in her role, she has worked with schools, local history societies and community groups in her mission to make history engaging for people from all walks of life.
Cathy has been a champion of the Liberties Weavers from the beginning. Cathy has also guided us through the social history and the impact weaving had on The Liberties.
Claire Byrne

Chairperson, WeaveTime instructor
Claire has been the chair since its establishment. Claire loves weaving on her inkle loom. Claire comes from a long line of weavers, with her family having worked in the Greenmount Mill in Harold's Cross.
Sally Hasson

Treasurer
Sally has a degree in Craft Design from NCAD and is fascinated by all areas of art and design. Since joining the Liberties Weavers in 2019 she has been experimenting with the traditional skills of weaving and tapestry and is taking them in new directions through her jewellery practice.
Mary Bale

WeaveTime Manager

With a lifelong passion for all things knit and sew, Mary has discovered the joy of weaving through joining The Liberties Weavers.
"There is nothing more fun and satisfying than creating an original piece in the company of other enthusiast."
Eric O'Reilly

Equipment Manager, WeaveTime instructor
“Weaving is my new hobby. I went to the starter classes and was delighted to discover something so old and yet continuously inventive. I love the hands on creativity. Start at the loom and at the end you have ...whatever you want. I am beginning to run out of people to give bookmarks, place mats and scarves to. Recycled mats next.”
Siobhán Lynam

Committee Member
As a documentary maker, Siobhán also loves weaving as a medium for storytelling. Involved from the beginning, and with a background too in education, interculturalism, and community and local development, she really values TLW’s commitment to facilitating and empowering old and young to explore their creativity while connecting with the history and rich heritage of the Liberties area and community.
Flora Iacoponi

Committee Member, WeaveTime instructor
After discovering The Liberties Weavers and weaving as a complete novice in the world of crafts, Flora enjoys making tapestries inspired by beautiful Irish wools and colours and the urban and rural landscape. She also loves working on her rigid heddle loom and sharing her interest in weaving with others.
Naomi Clancy

Committee Member
Naomi started weaving when she joined a CDETB evening course with an amazing tutor named Mags in January ‘23. She fell completely in love with weaving and has since purchased an old rigid heddle loom, had her son build her an Inkle loom, and acquired an old floor loom from Connemara. The weaving classes have provided Naomi with a wonderful space to learn the craft and spend time with lovely people who are also passionate about weaving. She admires the ethos and mission of The Liberties Weavers and hopes that goes from strength to strength introduce many more people to the art of weaving.