Woodturning in Ireland, where do I go to Learn?

If you have found your way to this page then you are probably looking to learn or at least try out Woodturning in Ireland. You are probably ready to embark on a new journey of craftsmanship and creativity but don't know where to begin. It is vital that you learn properly at this stage so that you can move forward with a good foundation under you. Going off and buying equipment and Tools in a rush without first taking advice is a recipe for disaster. I will deal with some options for Woodturning in Ireland below before finally talking you into taking a lesson with me in Tralee.

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Woodturning History in Ireland

Woodturning is an ancient craft born out of necessity from people living a long time ago. Earliest estimates put the beginning somewhere between the 6th and 3rd Centuries BC and probably originated in Egypt. There were no smartphones around then so no pictures unfortunately. When you needed a bowl to eat out of, someone had to invent some way of doing it and wood was a plentiful, cheap material to work with. The earliest Lathes would have been Pole Lathes where a foot pedal and rope system allowed the Woodturner to make short cuts. Woodturning likely in it's most basic early form would have made it to Ireland maybe 2,000 years ago. This is speculation of course but human beings did travel all over Europe and the Middle East going back many centuries. Woodturning would have been a recognised trade for a few hundred years prior to the 20th century but it wasn't until the 1970s that Woodturning was recognised as a Craft Hobby. Note: I haven't researched this paragraph properly and will need to flesh it out as soon as I can.

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Woodturning Guild Ireland

Your first option is probably joining the nearest Woodturning Guild (IWG founded in 1983) where you will meet other Woodturners of various abilities. You will learn new things this way albeit a little slower. You will also have a monthly project to complete if you don't mind doing some homework. There are currently 18 Chapters dotted around the country. They have live demonstrations from time to time showcasing the abilities of many famous Woodturners from Ireland and sometimes beyond.

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Local Men's Shed

If you are not near to the Woodturning Guild, a local Men's Shed might be an option although the chances of them having a Lathe and someone who knows how to use it are fairly low. Each Men's Shed is also different from the next and some may have much more equipment.

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Learning from a Friend or Neighbour

This is one of the most common ways that Woodturner's learn the ropes. Finding out that someone in your town owns a Lathe and some Tools. Get in contact with them and see if they are willing to show you some Turning or let you do a bit. Most people are more than will to show off their Lathe, Tools and Techniques and it can be a great way to get started initially. 

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Schools & Colleges

Some schools or Technical Colleges offer courses via guest Woodworkers. These schools or colleges are normally kitted out with fairly decent woodworking equipment and sometimes Lathes. If they offer something with a little bit of Turning involved it should definitely be on your list.

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My Business Plug

Join me in my Workshop in Tralee for a Woodturning Class or two and I will advise you how to start with the right gear so that you will be Turning long into the future.

I offer hands-on Woodturning workshops tailored for beginners and enthusiasts alike and I specialise in one to one or one to two Teacher to Student ratio so that you always have my full attention. If straight forward Tuition is not your thing then you can always try for a Woodturning Experience instead.

I have been Turning professionally since 2015 and I started Teaching in 2019 once I felt I had accumulated enough knowledge to pass on. You will benefit from what I've learned and taught myself over the last 9 years in business as well as learning from the mistakes I made from the mid 1990s onwards.

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