Starting @ 10 am
At: Glackmore, Muff, Co. Donegal
More info here: Open Day 2023
It’s all hands on at Flax Mill Textiles and indeed in the beautiful area of Glackmore Forest in County Donegal, as preparations for the 29th Open Day and Yard Fest on September 9th are going into their “hot phase”.
Marion Baur, chief – weaver at and owner of Flax Mill Textiles is happy with the state of affairs: “After 28 events at our old premises in Derrylande / Dungiven, it’s pleasant to see that many people are looking to come to the “New Yard” outside Muff. We are particularly delighted about the sizeable number of international guests who are going to spend the day with us.”
One look at the programme of both Open Day and evening concert (there invited guests only) explains why there is so much interest:
14 stalls – many of them with live demonstrations – by the best and most known master – crafters, such as basket weaver Louise Mc Clean (Coleraine), potter Lindsay Press (Belfast), linen spinner Sarah Foster – Jarden (Lisburn), to mention but few, are going to set the picture of the day – event.
Flax – Mill’s own Fashion Show which is introducing Marion Baur’s new range of creations from pure Irish Linen is attracting huge interest from inside the world of fashion and the public. The show at 1.30 pm is as good as booked out. “Our 3 models, one from Germany and two from Ireland, are only showing once. We have tried our best to make as much space as possible at the cat – walk but the limit has almost been reached, let us know very soon if you want to be at the showing” says Marion.
The evening – gig which is featuring singer / songwriter Joe Mc Gonigle, main performer at the 2020- and 2021-Yard Fests and just after his first ever concert in Germany, Irish traditional dancer Farah Mullan from Limavady, German duo “Crossing Lifelines” who have their Ireland – premiere on the 9th, poet Bernard S. Davis from Birmingham and several special surprise guests, will have as international an audience as the Open Day.
The known and much-loved features of all Flax Mill Open Days and Yard Fests such as home baked cakes, good coffee and for the evening guests a buffet and dinner of class will be there.
Marion Baur: “You will meet a gathering of textile workers which is unique on this island, crafters of distinction, people from many countries, superb artists, you won’t meet any strangers here – just friends you might not have met.”