The Old Knitting Factory - Carraroe, Galway

It is my belief, as an artist, that it is vital to travel, explore, see, and experience as many different and unique environments as one can. Pre the covid pandemic, I endeavored to take at least one weekend out of each year to go on retreat, seeking out as special an area as possible.

In 2017 my destination was The Old Knitting Factory in Connemara, County Galway. It was the ideal place for me to enjoy the solitude of the area and relax along the water side of the scenic location of the lake “Loch on Mhuillin”.

Carraroe

The Old Knitting Factory is a picturesque cottage nestled on the banks of the picturesque lake, Loch on Mhuillin in the gaeltacht / Irish speaking area of Galway in the village of Carraroe. Carraroe is known for many things including the traditional boats called the “Galway Hookers” of which these currachs are raced on Loch on Mhuillin. At the annual regatta festival called the “Cruinniú na mBád” a flotilla of traditional Connemara currachs race on Galway Bay from Carraroe to Kinvara. The Carraroe beach is another unique feature of the village with it being called The Coral Strand and made up of what is referred to as a coral and gives the beach a beautiful golden hue. It is a sight to behold and the beach is a must visit if you are in the area. Called The Coral Strand in English, the beach is known as “Trá an Dóilín” when translated in to Irish.

Carraroe Gaeltacht

Although a small village, Carraroe is well known by many as it has numerous Irish language schools that students all over Ireland go to learn and improve their Irish language skills during the Summer - it’s an Irish tradition that is not unlike American Summer Camps in that the schools are residential and students do lots of extra curricular fun activities and sports - all through the Irish language of course!

Artists in Carraroe

I'm not the first artist to arrive to Carraroe and take inspiration from the landscape! The Armagh born artist Charles Lamb, so moved by the simplicity of Connemara life, and the beauty of the land, built a home in Carraroe in the 1930's and lived there until his death in 1964. Charles Lamb's paintings, many of them featuring the lake where the Old Knitting Factory is situated, can be seen in the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, The Ulster Museum and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Pictured below is my art work titled “Needed Awake Now” which references the old Irish legend of Fionn MaCumhail and his dogs Bran agus Sceolang.

Irish Heritage and Culture

For me, the attraction of the region of Carraroe and the Old Knitting Factory goes far beyond the beauty of the landscape alone. The remoteness allows for meditation and contemplation. After spending a week there, I left with a peace in my mind that is hard to achieve in the hustle and bustle of Dublin city. Carraroe is in Connemara, in the heart of the Gaeltacht - the Irish speaking region of Ireland. As a fluent Irish speaker, I always welcome an opportunity to immerse myself in the Irish language and the culture that goes along with it. The Irish language (gaeilge) is a proud part of my heritage. From a creativity perspective, stimulating a new part of my brain to focus on the language, allows another part of my brain to go in another direction. It always interesting to see how my paintings evolve when something like this happens.

History of The Old Knitting Factory

For a small little building, this cottage has had an interesting, wide and varied, history. The Congested District Board was established in 1891 in the West and North West of Ireland, the objective to alleviate poverty - for poor families to survive unemployment and a shortage of potatoes The Old Knitting Factory was built in 1906 by the Congested District Board, at a cost of 600 pounds, as a place for women to work (knit) and make some income. Many of the young women who worked in the Old Knitting Factory (maybe some of the ones pictured above?) used the money earned for a passage to a better life in America.

Aran Sweaters handmade in Ireland

The Board encouraged women in poorer districts to weave, knit and sew. It is widely accepted that the traditional Irish "Aran Sweater" is a product or invention from the time of the Congested District Board, although not until the early 20th century. By the 1930's these sweaters (or jumpers as they are known in Ireland) were being sold in the finest shops in Dublin. From there they went to the USA (as worn on stage by the famed Irish musicians The Clancy Brothers) where their popularity, to the present day, soared. In 2017, the Aran Jumper was displayed in the New York Museum of Modern Art, alongside Levi's, a little black dress, and a Birkin bag in an exhibition of 111 Icons of Fashion.

From Film Making to Silver Smithing

While the dissolution of the Congested District Board took place in the early 1920's, the Old Knitting Factory continued in some form as a cottage industry until the 1970's. At this time it was purchased by film maker Bob Quinn, as a home and also to run a cinema for the locality by Mr Quinn. It was an Irish language cinema and it was called CineGael. Quite the unique tale I think you will agree, and one that has been captured on film by Bob Quinn's son Robert in his excellent documentary about the cinema; Cinegael Paridiso - Once Upon a Time in Connemara. If you ever get a chance to see this film I recommend you take it!

The next inhabitants of the Old Knitting Factory were silversmiths and jewellery makers Jackie and Ed Kielthy. The Old Knitting Factory served as both their home and studio. And again, I've no doubt that the lake and landscape served as inspiration on a daily basis. The below piece is from their River of Life range.

Also pictured below, is an image of the sun setting over Loch on Mhuillin - a most inspiring view.

The Old Knitting Factory today - Betsy Cornwell

Right now, The Old Knitting Factory is inhabited by New York Bestselling author Betsy Cornwell. Betsy is currently renting the building with the intent to buy. Betsy has a great plan for the Old Knitting Factory, which is to turn it into a child care inclusive, arts residency retreat for single parents. Click here to read about Betsy’s future plans for The Old Knitting Factory here.

This to me is a perfect fit and I certainly think it is something that will “knit” (excuse the bad pun!!) together the heritage and old fabric of the building with the new plans and designs created by Betsy Cornwall.

I can see why Betsy has chosen this special place for her goal. The Old Knitting Factory, with it's rich history, and it's beautiful location is a wonderful place to retreat, and think, and create. I came home, both rested and invigorated, which for me are the measures of a truly successful retreat.

Blog Edit / Update> 2nd May 2022

You can now book a stay in The Old Knitting Factory!