The Business and Beauty of Irish Wool

Afternoon Demonstrations:

Join our main student body in our demonstration kitchen for an afternoon demonstration. You will receive a copy of the recipes and a tasting plate at the end of the class. The demonstration room is equipped with a large overhead mirror and Monitors for closeup work. We release details of recipes to be demonstrated 2 weeks in advance.

Afternoon Cookery Classes begin at 2PM, however please try to be at cookery school for 1:45PM.

Guests will get a copy of all recipes and tastings of all dishes at the end of the demonstration. Please note you will be joining our main student body for this demonstration.

Details of Recipes to be demonstrated are published approximately 2 weeks in Advance.

The majority of Irish sweaters are not made with Irish wool, they are just knitted in Ireland- a factor which many people are unaware of. The reason for this is more complex than you may expect, both Blatnaid Gallagher, Founder of the Galway Wool Coop, and Jean Long, Master Hand Knitter, have made it their business to understand why and advocate for a change. This 1 day course will unpack this issue and invite you to learn and respect what farmers like Blatnaid and craftspeople like Jean are doing in the restoration of heritage breeds like Galway Sheep and creating a demand within the business of Irish Wool.

What You’ll Learn:

The truth behind the Irish Wool Industry and why real Irish Wool is not being used at the scale it should be
A background on the story behind the Galway Sheep and what work is being done in the country to restore the population
How to rear Galway Sheep from Blatnaid Gallagher, a Galway Sheep Farmer
The mission of the Galway Wool Coop
The different treatments of Galway Wool and how to select the right kinds for your project
How to get started hand knitting
If not a beginner, have access to award winning hand knitter, Jean Long, for answers to all the technical questions you may have.

Course Elements

Tour of the organic farm, gardens and greenhouses
Hands on learning through working with Irish Wool and learning the forgotten skill of hand knitting
Indoor and Outdoor Classroom Learning

Good to Know:

As we’ll spend time walking and learning around the farm, please bring suitable clothing and footwear - to allow for changeable weather!
Refreshments and lunch included
The course is held at Ballymaloe Cookery School & Organic Farm and Gardens in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274- a biodiverse working organic farm and greenhouses.
Tea, coffee & Ballymaloe natural sourdough, homemade Jersey butter and seasonal jams will be served from 9am on the first day of the course so please arrive early to sign in, meet other students and get ready for a busy week of hands on learning

Eligible participants living in Ireland can avail of a generous cost reduction on this course through our course partners National Organic Training Skillnet. TBC. Please contact for further details.

The prestigious Ballymaloe 12 WeekCertificate Course is run three times a year, with courses beginning in January,April or May, and September.

The course is aimed at anyone with a passionate interest in food. Many of our students use the course as a springboard to become a professional chef; others use it to equip themselves with a marketable skill.

Others still take the course simply to maximize the pleasure they get from cooking at home.

Students develop a deep and detailed understanding of food and how it is produced. The emphasis is on recognising the best ingredients and knowing how to showcase them.

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