Traditional Skills
Published: 29 June 2010
During the week beginning 7th June several sessions were held at the Museum for school and community groups which offered the opportunity to try our traditional rural skills.
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John McAtasney a fine linen hand-weaver with over 60 years of experience visited the Museum with his table loom. Groups had the chance to hear John talk about his craft, see him at work, have a go on the loom and ask questions.
Pupils also tried out paper weaving and card loom weaving and left with examples of their handiwork to display back at school.
Information about the stages in the production of linen from flax was also discussed, from the planting of the flax seed, rippling, to rhetting, scutching, hackling, spinning and weaving.
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Bob Johnston, the Basket maker from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, visited on the Thursday and Friday.
Bob brought a variety of baskets and masks for the children to guess the use of. The importance of willow in the making of useful pieces to assist with day-to-day tasks such as carrying, and catching fish was discussed.
There was also an opportunity to try working with the willow to make fish and stars. The Museum is grateful that both Bob and John were able to assist in the facilitation of these workshops which highlight important aspects of traditional life in Ireland.
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