“Mad about Donegal Tweed & Knitwear” The Glendowen experience

By Denise Henry, Marketing Assistant, Inishowen Tourism 

Located 4km from the Wild Atlantic Way route, along the main Buncrana to Clonmany Road the Glendowen Craft Shop at Meentagh Glen is an easy place to find and the location itself is very scenic. A large sign leads the visitor to the property where you are greeted by two traditional style stone buildings. The sense of tradition and of being off the beaten track is reinforced by the sheep you can see grazing at the back of the property.

Welcomed by a quirky, half open Dutch door and vibrant window display I enter the shop where I receive a warm welcome from Ann McGonigle, pictured above, owner and crafter at Glendowen. Items on display range from jewellery, stylish wraps, and hats of all colours, perfume, beautiful wall hangings, books and paintings.

How did this hub of Craft and Art in Inishowen come about?

For Anne “A love and knowledge of craft was harbored from a young age”. Having suffered from Asthma as a child, Ann spent much time at home. To prevent boredom, her late mother, a talented crafter, began to encourage her daughter from the age of 6 to sew and crochet. Over the years Ann’s work with tweed, wool and other materials intensified. In 1997 Glendowen was established and work began out of the current studio in 2004. Inspiration for her work, stems from traditions passed down through the generations, from the stunning landscape that surrounds the craft shop, the wider Inishowen Peninsula and a little from the “style magazines read every Sunday morning”.

Ann was always “Mad about Donegal Tweed & Knitwear” and wanted to find a way to combine both materials, which was skillfully achieved, starting with jackets and tunics. Ann would later specialise in a range of ladies’ garments with a hand-crochet finish including some of the coats, wraps, hats, scarves, bags and jewellery seen above. A passion and attention to detail can be seen in each item.

The customer is always right! Quirky ideas at Glendowen Craft Shop

On display are many unique & quirky items inspired by requests made by friends and visitors. Products range from button earrings covered in tweed and wool, dicky bows, pictured above, made from tweed and a selection of bandanas and bow ties for pets, which are ridiculously cute. Other gift style purchases are tweed & wool based book covers, wine holders and a personal favourite; small sacks of turf.

Each sack, pictured above, is made from tweed with a unique badge attached to the front. Inside you find tiny hand cut pieces of turf. How did this come about you might ask? By listening to visitors Ann found they loved Irish turf. What better way to pack this in your suitcase than with this perfect little gift.

Local Art & Craft in Inishowen, Donegal

Initially, many visitors came to the shop, and questioned where to get other craft items which led Ann to the decision to showcase the work of other crafters/artists at Glendowen. The shop now sells stunning pieces from Moville Pottery, Ballagh Studio and Crana Knits. Solidarity soon grew amongst creative groups in the area, resulting in a booklet that provides a guide of where to view and purchase art & craft products in Inishowen.

Over 70% of the items in the shop are sourced and made from local/Irish materials, for example Donegal Tweed and Yarn used in Ann’s range of garments and jewellery is sourced from Magee’s of Donegal Town and McNutt’s of Downings, Donegal.

What I didn't expect to find: The Creative Hub

Located in a room off the main shop display is a workshop, pictured above, where Ann has ample space to create her line of craft items. How often do we get the opportunity to know and see where our clothing is made and talk to the person that makes it? Each purchase is unique, skillfully made on location from the finest local materials. Every product in the shop promotes local/Irish craft and the traditional skills that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Ann’s engagement and focus on ensuring each “visitor goes out the door with a feel good factor” enhances an already memorable experience. Glendowen is a place for local and visitor alike to visit and experience.

Find out more about the Glendowen Craft Shop, Inishowen

Opening hours are from 10.30 – 5.30, Monday to Saturday or any other time by appointment. Only a small percentage of Ann’s range is available in other shops, so if you want to buy any of what you see above make sure to call into the shop!

For more information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Glendowen-Craft-Studio-507656602628232/
Website: http://glendowen.com/

Tell us what you think!

Add any comments/questions about the article below and stay tuned for part two of my next visit to the Glendowen craft shop where I learn about the popular traditional music sessions that take place at Glendowen.

Celebrating Traditional Music in Inishowen

Blog by Heidi Woods- Tourism Development Officer

Traditional music can be traced back to almost two thousand years ago when the Celts arrived in Ireland. They brought with them, among other skills and crafts, music. Having been established in Eastern Europe since 500BC, the Celts were undoubtedly influenced by the music of the East, and indeed, it is speculated that the Irish Harp originated in Egypt. While travelling to Ireland, the Celts left their mark on the musical cultures of Spain and Brittany (Northern France) as well as in Scotland and Wales. However, it is here in Ireland that the tradition has evolved and survived that inhabitants and visitors alike gain pleasure from.

Traditional Irish Music is celebrated today throughout the world. However, it is a special experience to immerse in the atmosphere of this, an oral tradition. Its prolific nature can be enjoyed in the most authentic way in local pubs, community centres and impromptu venues here in Ireland. Inishowen is home to some of the most talented musicians that practice the tradition during both their work and leisure, as well as during religious activities and commemorations.

In days gone by traditional music and melodies took many forms in reducing the boredom of repetitive tasks, it kept the rhythm during synchronized pushes and pulls, and it set the pace of many activities such as planting, weeding, reaping, threshing, weaving, and milling. In leisure time, singing and playing musical instruments were common forms of entertainment and history-telling.

Traditional music in the peninsula is still very much alive as one of the many cultural activities offered. From the shop selling handmade wares, (Glendowan Crafts at Clonmany), visitors can browse, and then listen to the traditional local music on a Sunday afternoon. The image of the “wooden fiddler” is situated in the music room alongside the craft shop. This cosy meeting place with open fire and hearty welcome for all who play their instruments and those wishing to listen. Alternatively join the throng of voices, hustle and bustle of the pub atmosphere. Locals and visitors are celebrating traditional scheduled or impromptu meetings all around the peninsula.

 Here's how one of Donegal’s most renowned fiddle players, Martin McGinley sums up what the fiddle means to him in an interview by Angela Fichter:

 "It's a companion--it gives a lot and demands a lot. It never stops and is a life's work. All over the world, for whatever reason, people just seem to relate to it--there's just something about it. The challenges that face this cultural tradition is what continues to restore Martin's faith in playing.
He quotes the old adage from John Doherty, "there's more in a fiddle than a man can know."
Although Donegal fiddle music is world-renowned for its unique sound and bowing styles, Martin points out that Donegal fiddle music is diverse and really about the differences between different areas of the county. Martin hopes part of his legacy will be to "leave some tunes behind" as he continues to work on developing original material.

County wide there are numerous locations that celebrate the art of legendary traditional music. Incorporating the concept of “Irish culture and heritage”, Events that celebrate music and dance with story-telling and historical content such as “A Taste Of Ireland” at the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny and “The Celtic Feast” at An Grianan Hotel, Burt run throughout the summer.

The Traditional Music around the peninsula Calendar for 2015 starts:

Burt:

An Grianan Hotel –Celtic Feast, Shows on Sunday 19^th of July, 30^th of August, 25^th of October, 2015. Prices are as follows: Adults €40, Child 10-12 €30, Child 6-9 €20, Child under 6 is Free.

Buncrana:

Inishowen Gateway Hotel- Thursday 21:30 – late

The Drift Inn - Thursday 21:00- late

O’Flaherty’s Bar - Wednesday -21:30- late

Clonmany:

Glendowan Craft Studio - Sundays 15:30-18:00 on 14th of June, 12^th of July, 13^th of September.

The Rusty Nail Bar- Sundays 17:00-19:00

McFeeley’s Bar – Friday 22:30- late

Sliabh Sneacht Centre, Drumfries – Wednesdays 16:30-19:00

Carndonagh – Patisserie Pascal Cafe- Saturday 14:00-16:00pm

Culdaff – McGrory’s Bar Tuesday After 21:30

Moville – Rosatos – Saturday 22:30-late

Muff – IOSAS Centre- Friday 26^th June, 24^th July, 28^th August, 25^th September 18:30-20:30,  Price: €7