Open Day at the Flax-mill in Dungiven, Northern Ireland

I have just returned from what I can only describe as an extraordinary weekend at the Derrylane Flax Mill 2017 Open Day, which has been held for the past 24 or so years. With a programme containing the most amazing array of crafters,some of whom work mostly with Irish linen, woven by hand in this very mill, run by owner Marion Baur and her husband Herman

After a most gruelling drive of 7 hours, we were met by Marion and Herman who greeted us with warmth and enthusiasm. Touring the mill and their cottage was like stepping back into a time machine. Their loving and respectful work with linen is reflected all around the mill, which has always woven linen since time began. Taking over just as others had left it, very little has changed apart from what a new family brings, with all their personalities. Instead of modern transformations and electrification, the linen is all hand woven and in the cottage, the gas lamps are still in use, candles to light our table and the comfort of darkness enveloping us while we had a welcome cup of tea and cake and heard the stories of how they came to be here.

A good night’s sleep and an early start, we set up our stalls during the most torrential rain possible, and an international army of volunteer helpers did their best to protect us from the elements, the drips, the muddy floor and supplied the crafters with a never ending supply of tea and cake. 

The programme was full of a rich sense of traditional crafters, and around us we could ‘hear the subject of linen and flax being discussed in a rich variety of voices: From veteran farmers to young designers, from retired factory workers to people who are still active in making the noble fabric... spinners, designers, weavers, tailors, people who grow and process flax’. It was like I had died and gone to heaven!

Apple Oak Fibres on show at the Flax Mill, Dun

As well as spinning and weaving demonstrations, my little stall nestled between the most amazing talent:

Sinead Black is an interior designer and lecturer in design at the University of Ulster and owner of Bricolage Quilts studio in Hollywood, Co. Down. She is especially known for her bespoke quilts having been short-listed for this year’s “Irish Made” awards. Instead of her quilts, she chose to bring smaller linen-ware, and I was completely won over by her linen bread-bags, two of which are now currently in use in my kitchen, keeping my homemade sourdough bread soft, right to the last slice.

Jill Gurney is a textile-crafter from Aghadowey and owner of Linen Lane. Jill uses linen from Derrylane and her soft-furnishing and lampshades are exquisite. 

Marta Kocon, based in Belfast also uses linen from Derrylane, and combines them with fabrics from Poland. Marta manufactures many bespoke items, plus a really cleverly designed dress-apron, which I just had to have! 

Finally, my collaborator, knitter/designer Albina Mc Laughlin. She describes herself as an “international nomad” with a base in Donegal.  She demonstrated “continental knitting” at her stall and one of her bespoke dresses was one of the highlights of the Fashion Show.

              Albina McLaughlin from LBhandknits teaching continental knitting

Despite the wet start, and the worry of visitors staying at home, we all had a steady stream of  you crafters, knitters and weavers and I had lots of interest in my natural plant dying process. I really enjoyed meeting you all and having a chat.

Anyone interested in visiting the Derrylane Flax Mill and seeing their linen will not be disappointed. How lucky we are to have Irish linen. Seeing it in situ, the rolls and rolls of beautifully designed patterns and weaves are spectacular. This really is a quality product that you just can’t find anywhere else in the world. The tradition of weaving linen has mostly died out here, and people like Marion and Herman are hugely responsible for keeping Irish linen alive and relevant to all of you who appreciate anything natural, ethical and sustainable.

                                              My pots filled with yarn and plants...