There’s nothing like acquiring a unique piece of craftwork and encouraging its talented maker at the same time. This weekend the doors will be open at Grennan Mill Craft School in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, as graduates show and sell the fruit of their labours. Ceramic bowls and tiles, jewellery, prints, batik hangings and all manner of weaving from rugs to throws will be available to buy from prices as low as €20 and ranging up to around €300.
It’s also a chance to visit the 18th-century grain mill on the banks of the River Nore that is home to the school, which was founded in 1981, and where the grain lofts have been ingeniously converted into artists’ studios. Entry to the show is free; children are welcome and snacks, cakes and other delights will be available in the vegetarian cafe run by the students. The show is open 10am to 6pm today, tomorrow and on Monday. The piece pictured, called “Tri-Symbol Bell”, is by Deborah Mansfield. See www.grennanmill.net.