Our Story
The Irish Midlands Fibre Festival is rooted in something simple: the need for a space in central Ireland where fibre folk can gather as a community, celebrate, and support each other. Founded by a family-run indie dyeing business (Republic of Yarnia), we endeavor to curate a space that focuses on artists who bring yarn, roving, threads, and patterns to life, and where vendors can promote their work. As a tribute to our creative community, the festival stands as a gathering point for those who find beauty in different dye pots, every stitch, and thread.
This festival is growing from a shared sense that there is real value in creating more opportunities for connection within the Irish fibre community across the year. Our intention is to complement, not duplicate existing ones, and to help strengthen the wider ecosystem for makers and small businesses and buyers.
The 2026 Midlands Fibre Festival will be held in October, but moving forward from 2027 onwards, our goal is to make the Festival an annual Spring event, in mid- to late-May.
Our hope is that scheduling events in this way will provide the fibre community more opportunities to promote themselves, their skills, and products throughout the year, while also allowing the fiber community, as a whole to connect and support each other.
We chose this central hub for its accessibility and for being such a great middle-point (literally) for dyers, designers, and more coming from almost anywhere across the island of Ireland.
At its core, our festival is about connection. Our goal is to create a truly welcoming space where makers, independent dyers, and visitors can meet in person, share stories over coffee, and find inspiration in the shared language of craft that unites us all across Ireland.
So join us for our first ever Midlands Fibre Festival. Come along, support the fibre community, and stock up on some great squishy yarn and accessories!
We look forward to seeing you in October!
Links to the Past and Coming Full Circle
In 1859, the Athlone Woollen Mills was built on the banks of the River Shannon, and quickly became the backbone of the economy in and around Athlone. The Mills were established by Edward Molony Gleeson, whose own daughter, Evelyn Gleeson would go on to found Dun Emer Guild, an arts and crafts co-operative for women in Dundrum, Dublin in 1902.
Evelyn was a textile designer, taught weaving and carpet making, and in 1910 she became a founding member of the Guild of Irish Art workers. Evelyn also had a strong sense of justice and community, as demonstrated by her ties to the suffragette movement, the Gaelic League, and the Irish Literary Society. Her deep connections to the textile industry and fibre arts in Ireland leave a lasting legacy to this day.
On the morning of 12th November, 1940 the Athlone Woollen Mills, was devastated by a fire that threatened much of Athlone itself. The Mills reopened in 1948 for several years before closing permanently in the 1950s.
The Radisson Blu Hotel, where the Midlands Fibre Festival will gather together fibre artists and creators, stands on the exact spot where the Athlone Woollen Mills once stood, and brings the long tradition of textiles in Athlone back to its roots.
Evelyn Gleeson, c. 1902
The Athlone Woollen Mills, circa early 1900s
Our Vision & Goal
The Irish Midlands Fibre Festival is rooted in community and set on growing a vibrant, inclusive future for fibre craft in the heart of Ireland.
Our Vision
Our Goal
- Becoming the key fibre festival in the Irish Midlands, celebrated for its welcoming spirit and supportive community.
- Seamlessly connecting artisans and fibre lovers, both local and international, through meaningful exchange.
- Leading the way in encouraging sustainable and ethical fibre practices across the country, and hopefully beyond.
- Inspiring lifelong creativity in every visitor, regardless of their skill level or experience.
- Hosting an annual, accessible event in the Midlands that brings the region, and beyond, to life with colour and craft.
- Empowering small businesses by providing a warm, welcoming platform to showcase and sell their hand-crafted work.
- Organizing curated workshops, talks, and demonstrations to share invaluable skills, knowledge, and appreciation for fibre arts and more.
- Cultivating enduring relationships between exhibitors, teachers, and a growing community of makers.
What Makes Us Unique
We want to host an event that brings together independent artists, creatives, and fibreworkers together from across Ireland so they can promote their skills and work.
But most importantly, we want to give them a place to share their love for what they do and light that creative spark in others.
Central Midlands Home
Located in the heart of Athlone, our venue is easy to reach from all over Ireland, making it the perfect central hub for the fibre community.
Inclusive Atmosphere
We foster a friendly environment. Come as you are, no matter your skill level, and meet those who are happy to share their knowledge and skills with anyone willing to learn.
Hand-Picked Makers
A carefully selected mix of dyers, designers, and artisans ensures an amazing variety of handcrafted work, and learning experience.
Community Focused
Our journey is built on relationships. This festival is about a community supporting one another, and spreading a love of all things fibre and the spirit of creativity