the discovery of Butter and Wool making in Ireland
- Jul 24, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
"sometimes we do not need to travel far to find beauty.
it may be just behind the corner"
Another dream journey has become true. For over a decade I have longed to immerse myself in the landscapes of Ireland. If you have read some of my travel-inspired posts, you might know that from time to time I seek out green and tranquil escapes in the countryside, and fortunately, this year was no different.
Beyond the lush greenery I encounter on these trips, I have curious eye that enjoys exploring and understanding the local roots in crafts and arts. The life and artistry surrounding handmade goods and fabrics (such as clothing) are always a source of inspirations. I often reflect on how these traditions, practices, and customs have influenced many people’s lives in the past. Even though much has progressed today, certain traditions remain deeply embedded in society (sometimes unknowingly), like this small creamy (occasionally salty) product, called BUTTER and warm, cozy textiles, like WOOLS.
Butter Making at the Butter Museum of Cork, Ireland
This lovely and inspiring museum is hidden between the streets of the historical quarter of Shandon, just a 15 minutes walk away from the center of Cork. The old building itself is, as you would expect, painted in gracious buttery shade. After getting my ticket, I am invited to view a short documentary about the history of the Kerrygold butter company, a prime example of great trade success in the industry. Farmers produced butter on a small scale and brought it from the Irish countryside to Cork's Butter Exchange (estd. in 1769), the central hub for marketing their milk produces and to negotiate prices. As the demand increased, farmer's unity became essential, leading to the creation of the Kerrygold brand name.
The museum delves into the origins of butter making and highlights the important role this small yet nutritious product played in people's lives, when their diet primarily consisted of potatoes and butter. It traces the transformation from a farm-based production, traditionally a woman's responsibility (along the historical path, visitors can hear stories of these women who supported their families), to industrialization. After this shift, farmers have modernized their technology while maintaining the authenticity and quality of their farming practices.
"There's nothing better than spending a day in the fields,
whether it's sunny or lightly raining. It's always beautiful."
Displayed on the walls are vintage graphic and label designs of butter wrappers: some featuring intricate text, other depicting sheeps, cows and grass, some with the iconic milk jar, and some illustrating farmers and their daily tasks. As a paper lover, I was inspired by the creativity and elegance of these prints. Like a playful child, I was able to use stamps and ink to create my own butter wrappers on paper, which I took home!
In addition to the curated exhibition, you can attend a live demonstration of the traditional butter-making process by hand, and afterward, enjoy a tasting! Delicious!
Wool making at Kerry Woollen Mills, Killarney, County of Kerry
The second stop on my journey to explore craftsmanship in Ireland led me to the Kerry Woollen Mills, located on the road beyond the small town of Killarney. Upon my arrival, the property appeared immediately traditional, family-run and understated. At the entrance, overlooking the main stock of raw wool, everything was very calm. I proceeded to the small inbuilt shop, hoping to tour the mill, and it turned out to be my lucky day. The storekeeper guided me through the various production steps to transform the wool into a fully finished garment.
From the moment the wool is received from local farmers, it undergoes a transformation process, including dyeing, carding and cleaning the fibers. The wool is then stabilized through several steps (spinning) into strong yawns, ensuring they won't break during further processing. For each garment, whether a blanket, a scarf or a tweed fabric, colour palettes and patterns are designed, for use as a template during weaving. To achieve a particular color, various dyed wools can be blended, a technique commonly employed for tweed. In the past, these pattern were manually coded using circle holes on paper sheets, so that the mill could translate them into the final textile.
All machines are operated by artisans with years of experience, who are so familiar with the engines that they can detect any issue that might reduce efficiency through intuition and expertise. The rhythmic sound of the machinery is almost hypnotic.
At the end, imperfections are cleared, the wool cleaned and the label is sewn by hand: it is now ready to be stored and sold.
A photographic story on wool-making
With the rise of fast fashion and mass consumption, it is nowadays hard to imagine the time and the effort required to produce items organically from natural materials, like wool, cotton or even silk. From the initial step of obtaining wool from sheeps to the finished product, it is a labor-intensive and dedicated process, in order to achieve high and long-lasting quality.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of sustainability. Understanding what goes into creating a beautiful item, can raise awareness about manufacturing and workers, enhance appreciation of the knowledge and the heritage involved. By purchasing with this perspective, I choose intentionally what is in my wardrobe and most importantly why it is there.
Reading on a (Irish countryside) walk
A beautiful read and a pleasant resource is you want to gain more knowledge about slow fashion and how to curate a personal wardrobe that reflect your identity while incorporating sustainable materials, repairs and vintage/secondhand finds.
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