'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly. The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available' - Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013.

'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly...The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available.' Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013.

Fiddle-playing. Ronan Galvin, Dublin at the Glencolumkille Fiddle School.

Fiddle playing: Ronan Galvin (Dublin) at the Glencolmcille Fiddle School.

Fiddle-playing. Mick Brown, Dublin & Teelin and Ronan Galvin, Dublin playing at the Glencolumbkille Fiddle School.

Fiddle-playing. Mick Brown, Dublin & Teileann and Ronan Galvin, Dublin playing at the Glencolumbkille Fiddle School.

James Byrne (centre), Mín na Croise, playing with students at Glencolmcille Fiddle School. L to R: Mick Brown, Rónán Galvin, Valerie Dunphy.

John Byrne, Glenmalin, Glencolumbkille, Mick Browne and Ronan Galvin, Dublin, playing at Glencolumbkille Fiddle School.

James Byrne (second from left), Mín na Croise, playing with students at Glencolmcille Fiddle School. L to R: Rónán Galvin, Valerie Dunphy, Margaret Cunningham (on guitar).

Fiddle-playing. Aoife McLaughlin, An Fál Carrach, Ronan Galvin, Dublin, Tara Conaghan, Glenties and Derek McGinley, Mín an Chearrbhaigh playing at the Glencolumbkille Fiddle Week.

Fiddle-playing. Aoife McLaughlin, An Fál Carrach, Ronan Galvin, Dublin, Tara Conaghan, Glenties and Derek McGinley, Mín an Chearrbhaigh playing at the Glencolumbkille Fiddle Week.