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A young Dublin man who traded his city life for a loom in Donegal is on his way to setting up his own tweed label.
Dean Stapleton from Finglas is part of the latest group undertaking Ireland’s first-ever certified weaving course, based in Kilcar.
Leaving his job and signing up for the course, he said, was “one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”
The Certificate in Donegal Weaving has been developed by Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) through its Further Education and Training (FET) Service.
Weaving may be a centuries-old craft but woven into the skill is a cultural pride.
“Part of my reason for coming up to Donegal was that weaving is an indigenous craft that is dying out, but it’s part of my Irish blood and culture,” he said.
“I was working a full-time job in Dublin city and weaving crios belts as a hobby. It was time for a change, I said to myself, instead of getting another job and paycheck I needed to follow my heart and get up to Donegal.
“I saw the course, I got an interview, I quit my job, and that was it.”
Dean Stapleton at the Donegal Education Training Board (ETB) Further Education and Training Fair (FET) in the Raddison Hotel. Photo – Clive Wasson
Dean has just four months left on his traineeship and has several work placements lined up at studios around the country this summer. The one-year traineeship is accredited by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) and learners are awarded a Level 6 certificate on completion.
Dean had experience working on a small tabletop loom but now enjoys training on the much larger scale traditional hand looms in Ballymoon, Kilcar.
He’s learning under John Heena, a master weaver who has been in the industry since he was a teenager.
“You couldn’t ask for a better tutor,” Dean said. “John is so patient and full of knowledge; you can ask him anything and he wouldn’t need a book or a calculator to tell you what’s what. Valerie Taylor, our sewing teacher, can do anything with a needle and thread.
“We’re making cloth and fabric, from big throws to baby blankets. We bring our material into the sewing module to make bags, pencil cases, pouches, etc. I’m working on a waistcoat at the moment which is quite fun,” he said.
Dean’s weaving work
Donegal Weaving Traineeship student Dean Stapleton and Master Weaver and tutor John Heena. Photo – Clive Wasson
Students do not need any weaving experience to begin the traineeship, but an eye for detail will go a long way.
“It takes a good attitude, a good eye and if you are creative by nature it helps, but there’s nothing you cannot learn by being there and absorbing that environment,” Dean said.
The average age of a Donegal weaver today is around 75 years which means that both the power loom and handweaving industries are in danger of fading away.
Yet the industry remains in the heart of Donegal’s textile heritage, and key companies are continuously searching for new hires.
“There are good job options locally around the area,” Dean said.
“Different studios and bigger factories are looking for us to take positions. When I finish the course, I want to set up my own business making luxury homeware. I will hopefully continue and do a tailoring course or some evening classes and get more experience manufacturing garments and clothing.
“I know a lot of men are traditionally weavers here and I took a lot of pride saying I’m going to come up to Donegal and keep the heritage alive, and if I ever do have children, I can hopefully teach them how to weave or teach other people the craft before it totally disappears.”
ETB Weaving. Photo: Clive Wasson
Dean is also enjoying the wild Atlantic way of life this past year.
“Taking the leap to go to Donegal was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. I live five minutes from the sea and five minutes from the hills, you couldn’t ask for a more magical place and the Donegal people are lovely.”
Dean has ambitions to move to the west coast and make Stapleton Tweed into a flourishing designer brand.
“I think there’s a big resurgence in Irish craft. It was always cool to be Irish, but now a lot of the younger generations are embracing a bit of ceol, dance and culture. People are very proud to be Irish and it’s important to keep it alive.”
Dean’s weaving work
As an aspiring weaver, Dean is on the lookout for a loom, or parts and shuttles to help him out on his journey. If anyone has traditional parts, he would ask them to get in contact: dean@stapletontweed.ie
The Certificate in Donegal Weaving is now open for September applications – you can apply online here: https://www.donegaletb.ie/course-detail/?CourseId=439762 or check the wide range of low cost or funded FET options on your doorstep here www.donegaletb.ie/coursefinder.
Traineeships are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. #EUinMyRegion