Avoca, one of Ireland’s oldest operating weaving mills, has renewed its partnership with The Galway Wool Co Op, following last year’s historic commitment to preserve Ireland’s textile heritage. The partnership supports a fair-trade price for farmers and contributes to protecting the native Irish breed, The Galway, once close to extinction. Avoca was on site at the annual meitheal on Saturday, July 18th, in Galway, as the wool was collected from the herd of native Irish sheep. Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland, was also in attendance to witness the event. Irish wool farmers came from all four corners of Ireland for the event, with almost 4 tons of wool harvested from their herds.
Avoca has purchased the majority of the harvest from The Galway Wool Co Op and remains dedicated to transparency and traceability in Irish wool. This commitment ensures that the native Irish breed is protected and that farmers receive a fair price for their wool. The partnership is a significant step towards preserving Ireland’s textile heritage.
Partnership with NCAD
Avoca is also continuing its partnership with NCAD for 2026 and will work with the college on a design competition with the yarn from the meitheal at its heart. Fashion students from NCAD will be invited to design homewares or lifestyle pieces with the new yarn, and the winner will have their product made by Avoca’s expert weavers before being sold in its retail stores across the country.
The winner will also receive a cash prize and work placement at Avoca HQ. Attendees at the meitheal got the first glimpse of 2025’s winning collection by Thea Drislane, which has taken inspiration from the Avoca River and the Salmon of Knowledge.
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Supporting Local Farmers
Speaking in Galway, Maoliosa Connell, Director of Marketing, Creative & Brand at Avoca, said: “We are immensely proud to continue our partnerships with both The Galway Wool Co Op and NCAD. Weaving is part of the DNA of Avoca, and it’s essential that we support our local farmers and the future of Irish design to keep both tradition and creativity alive.” Avoca’s commitment to supporting local farmers and preserving Ireland’s textile heritage is evident in this partnership.
Drislane will officially launch her winning designs, a collection of coats, in-store as part of Avoca’s upcoming Autumn Winter collection. The collection has taken inspiration from the Avoca River and the Salmon of Knowledge, incorporating nods to salmon scales into the design. This collection reflects Avoca’s commitment to supporting emerging designers and promoting Irish design, such as those who will be participating in the new design initiatives in the country.
Avoca’s efforts are focused on preserving Ireland’s textile heritage.
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