International delegation visits Kilkenny craft and heritage sites

The group from Greece stopped off at the Cushendale and Grennan Mills

Published 13th Jul 2026, 14:00 BST Members of the Greek delegation and Carlow County Council The group from Greece stopped off at the Cushendale and Grennan Mills Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.

Carlow County Council recently welcomed participants from partner organisations in Greece as part of the ongoing Digitext Projects, bringing together representatives from chambers of commerce, universities and business owners for a series of study visits focused on innovation, education, entrepreneurship, textile heritage and traditional skills.

The visit provided an opportunity for delegates to learn from best practices across the region, while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between international partners working within the textile, creative and business sectors.

The programme began with a series of presentations held at Carlow Library, where participants heard from representatives of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), the Arts Department, Carlow County Council, Carlow Tourism and the Carlow Chamber of Commerce.

These presentations highlighted the supports available to businesses, the role of culture and creativity in regional development and the collaborative efforts being made to strengthen enterprise and tourism in the county.

Delegates also visited the VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre, gaining an insight into one of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts venues and its contribution to the region’s cultural and economic development.

SEE ALSO: CK United add four new faces as FAI kick-off approaches

A visit to South East Technological University (SETU) showcased the university’s educational programmes, research initiatives and strong links with industry.

The group visited Johnsons Tailors, a family business that has been serving customers since 1867, where they learned about the company’s long history of craftsmanship and its continued contribution to the local business community.

At Borris Lacemakers, delegates witnessed the intricate art of lace making in progress and gained an appreciation for the dedication and skill involved in preserving the traditional craft.

Participants also learned about the group’s exciting work to commemorate 10 years of activity, celebrating a decade of promoting and safeguarding lace making traditions.

The visit to Christine Jordan at Rough Circle in Leighlinbridge provided a fascinating insight into the complete wool production process, from shearing sheep through to the creation of beautiful finished products.

Delegates saw first-hand how traditional skills, sustainability and innovation combine to create high-quality craft products.

The final visit of the day brought the group to the Lace Gallery in Ballon, where they explored the history and artistry of Carrickmacross Lace, one of Ireland’s most renowned textile traditions.

Day three of the study visit continued the exploration of Ireland’s rich textile and craft heritage with a series of visits across Kilkenny and beyond.

The group travelled to Cushendale Woollen Mills, where they learned about one of Ireland’s oldest traditional woollen mills and gained an understanding of the processes involved in transforming Irish fleece into high-quality yarns and woven products.

The delegation then visited KCETB at Grennan Mill, where they were introduced to a range of education and training initiatives that support local communities, encourage lifelong learning and help develop the skills needed for future employment and enterprise opportunities.