The Sheep And Wool Centre

The Sheep and wool museum offers an insight into the importance of sheep and wool in Connemara's past. Learn the history of sheep farming, local woollen industry and the process of how sheep’s fleece is made into cloth through technology, displays and demonstrations. Marvel as sheep’s wool is made into yarn at daily carding, spinning and weaving demonstrations, practised on wheels and looms from the turn of the last century. Listen to interviews from those who remember the past. Enjoy quirky slide shows and allow children to discover what their role would have been in the 1900s through hands on experience. You can also meet a sheep and admire the art of hand shearing by a local farmer in July and August.

Museum

Facillities

Museum
Guided Tours And Demos
Sheep Shearing (summer)
Café
Gift Shop
Video Presentation
Gallery Corridor
Coach Parties Welcome

Info

Open Mid March To October
09:30 - 18:00
Individual €5
OAP/Student €4
Child €3
Family €13
Group €4 (20+ persons)

About Us

The Sheep and Wool Museum was founded in 1992 by Michael and Kathleen O'Toole, with a view to preserving and protecting the traditions and skills of the local sheep and woolen industry in Connemara. Their daughter Aine and husband Gregg took over the management of the Sheep & Wool Centre in January 2009. Another daughter, Orla, has taken on her Dads gumboots and is the museum demonstrator and resident sheep farmer. It is a true family business

Shop.
In our shop, a wide range of locally made woolens, sheep skins, jewellery, crystal and other items are available as gifts or mementos of your visit to Leenane.

Bia Blas Café.
In our family run cafe we pride ourselves on our homemade food with locally sourced ingredients. All items on our extensive menu are home made in the Bia Blas kitchen. From our Homemade Jams and Chutneys to our mouthwatering Desserts and Cakes, there is something to please everybody.

Latest News

How To Find Us

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Welcome To The Sheep And Wool Centre

Welcome To The Sheep And Wool Centre
Our mission is to foster awareness of the traditional sheep and wool industry in Connemara. Come and visit the Sheep and Wool Museum and learn the history of sheep faming and wool craft in the west of Ireland. Buy Irish woollens in our Gift Shop and stock up on wool and craft supplies, before being tempted by homemade cakes in An Tobár Cafe and wandering down the Art Corridor. Individuals, families, educational, and tour groups are all very welcome and can enjoy daily wool craft demonstrations and sheep shearing in peak season.

Behind The Sheep And Wool Centre
The Sheep and Wool Museum was founded in 1992 by Michael and Kathleen O'Toole, with a view to preserving and protecting the traditions and skills of the local sheep and woolen industry in Connemara. Their daughter Aine and husband Gregg took over the management of the Sheep & Wool Centre in January 2009. Another daughter, Orla, has taken on her Dads gumboots and is the museum demonstrator and resident sheep farmer. It is a true family business

Upcoming Events

Welcome To the Sheep And Wool Centre 2013 season

We are pleased to announce that we have reopened for the 2013 season. We very much look forward to seeing you and are excited about this years changes and forthcoming special events.

Sheepdog Demonstrations

We are delighted to announce that, from May 2013, we will have sheepdog demonstrations as part of our museum visit.
Joe Joyce of Joyce Country Sheepdogs will put his skilled sheepdogs to work, herding his flock of mixed breed sheep. He will give the visitor a practical insight into the skills involved in training and working his sheepdogs. He will also shear a sheep as part of the demonstration.
This will be followed by a wool-craft demonstration in our museum, where visitors will see how wool is transformed from a fleece to yarn through carding and spinning, surrounded by our vintage looms, spinning wheels and traditional farming equipment.

Combined demonstrations will take one hour.
Demonstrations will take place Monday to Friday at 11am, 12pm and 1pm between May and September.
Adults €10 / 6-16 years old €7