Dóra Jamniczky-Kaszás

Did you know up to 80% of European wool can go to waste? 🧶 Europe produces around 80,000 tonnes of wool every year—yet much of it never reaches the market. Here’s why 👇 • Wool isn’t one product—it’s a complex fibre that needs proper grading & matching to the right use • It makes up just 1% of the global fibre market (competing with synthetics & cotton) • For years, low prices made it not worth selling • Logistics are tough—small farms + high transport costs = major barriers • Without scale, traceability & consistency, wool can’t enter global supply chains But there’s opportunity ✨ ✔️ Better collaboration across the industry ✔️ Smarter collection & aggregation ✔️ Educating farmers AND global buyers ✔️ Using existing European infrastructure The potential? Less waste, stronger returns for farmers, and a more competitive, sustainable wool industry 🌍 #Wool #Sustainability #Textiles #Agriculture #CircularEconomy @britishwool @interntaional_wool

REMOVE VAT ON IRISH WOOL PRODUCTS 🇮🇪 Support local. Support natural. Support farmers. Bring WOOL back into our school & college curriculums. Let the next generation learn about sustainable fibres, heritage skills & real circular economy solutions. Create clear roadmaps for farmers. Show the business opportunities. Innovation. Insulation. Textiles. Construction. Design. There are only a few things we can change at a national level. Policy is one. Education is one. Mindset is everything. Let’s change the image of wool. Not waste. Not outdated. Wool is climate-smart. Local. Valuable. It starts with how we think. It grows with what we support. #IrishWool #SupportLocal #CircularEconomy #SustainableIreland @mariawalsheu @ewe_foundation__ @wise_wool_project @sharonwellsart @irish_grown_wool_council_ @agriland.ie @cabr_centre @circular_ie_

Flashback to two weeks ago at the European Wool Convention in Kerry 🐑✨ @ewe_foundation__ The very first booth I visited ended up being one of those meant-to-be moments. I met Karen from Fabulous Fibres @fabulous_fibres a retired professor with a wealth of knowledge, who so generously said: “If you need any help with your dissertation, I’m your girl.” And just like that… the networking for my dissertation truly began 🤍 Between deadlines, travel, and getting sick, I hadn’t fully processed how impactful that day was. But going back through this footage has completely reignited my excitement. Lately, I’ve been exploring a question that feels more relevant than ever: Can natural fibres like wool play a role in reducing microplastic pollution in our oceans? And how might circular textile systems, rooted in place, tradition, and ecology, reshape the future of both fashion and marine environments? This is the space I’m stepping into for my dissertation. This is your reminder that sometimes all it takes is one conversation to spark an entire direction ✨ Now it’s time to sit down, refocus, and move this research forward. @fibreshed_ireland @irish_grown_wool_council_ #SaltAndScholar #WoolForTheFuture #CircularTextiles #MarineConservation #SustainableFashion

Call to all makers! This year I’m hosting the #wool4health awards, in colab with @ewe_foundation__ and @dalegria_cooperativa , with the kind help of @iaia_org . All the info work/wool4health-awards-2026/. It takes a bit of time to read but I feel the result will be amazing. All the pieces, winners and not winners will be donated to those in need. Thanks 💙 #europeanwoolday2026

Celebrating official 'European Wool Day 2026' today across Europe by sharing the recordings of our recent conference plus some new content! 🍿 👀 🎬 Watch all the presentations and panel talks that took place on the day at https://bit.ly/ewd26watch 📋(Full list of speakers & running order here https://bit.ly/ewd26programme) Even if you were there and saw the presentations we have some new video content, to mark the day including: 🐑 Wool 'tips' at lambing time by Jayne Harkness (Bones): https://youtu.be/AmeujvgMVcI 😌 Creating calm, a school project by @anja.sammon Sammon: https://youtu.be/zjK9Ye1BKPc 🇪🇸 Last year's Spanish European Wool Day celebration by Alberto Diaz from @madeinslow https://youtu.be/5t4OqiMj6D0 💡 This Will See Me Out: Localism, Emotional Longevity and Craft Heritage by @caoimhedowlingstudio https://youtu.be/wAC6iU_0bT8 👶 Baby Cloud by @mnewool : https://youtu.be/RJD6vOe_AYo This year, in Tralee, Ireland on 28th March, the annual celebration initiated six years ago and led by European Wool Exchange Foundation highlighted the entire wool value chain, from source to solutions, farmers to craftsmanship, industry, policy, design and innovative new uses. Huge thanks to @ewe_foundation__ Dóra Jamniczky-Kaszas of European Wool Exchange Foundation - EWE for Project Managing the 'European Wool Day 2026 Conference' programme, the audio visual recording and compilations and the additional content. A fantastic archive and knowledge source for years to come. 👏 All our co hosts, sponsors, speakers, panelists, supporters, exhibitors, attendees and to @pippa.hackett , @mariawalsheu , @cynthianimhurchu and @nzinireland for their much appreciated support and participation in proceedings. 🙏 #EWDAY2026 #Irishwool

Reflecting on an inspiring and incredibly successful weekend in Tralee, Ireland for European Wool Day 2026 🐑 Farmers, researchers, designers, craftspeople, policymakers and wool advocates from across Europe and beyond came together to connect, collaborate and explore the future of wool. Organised by the European Wool Exchange Foundation (EWE) with Irish partners, the sold-out conference welcomed 200+ attendees, while the public European Wool Experience featured 35+ exhibitors and over 1,000 visitors celebrating wool in action 💡 One message was clear: wool is not waste — it is renewable, climate-positive and full of potential. With participants from 10+ European countries, Canada and NewZeland 🇮🇪🇪🇺🌏, momentum continues to grow for wool as part of a sustainable future. 🎥 Recordings available from 9 April on our YouTube channel: /@ewefoundation -europeanwool255 📖 Irish Grown Wool Almanac: https://bit.ly/igwa0326 Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and supported — this collaboration made it all possible ✨ #ewd2026 #wool #europeanwoolday2026 #ewday2026 #ewday26 @wicklowuplands @kilkennyleader @galwayruraldevelopment @sharonwellsart @futureislandisland @newkdnews @luciaerrityart @emilyathompson_artist @ncad_dublin @wise_wool_project @kerrycountymuseum @irishhandweaves @irish_grown_wool_council_ @kerrycoarts @mariaswoolshop @iaia_org @gomitolorosa

Dr. Alberto Costa on Wool for Health 🎤 Last weekend, we were invited to attend European Wool Day 2026, co-organised by the European Wool Exchange (@ewe_foundation__ ), Catherine Phibbs (@irish_grown_wool_council_ ), and @sharonwellsart (Feltmaker, Textile Artist, and Educator). The main goal was to record an interview with Sharon @sharonwellsart for a short documentary we are currently producing. However, when I received the conference programme, one particular panel caught my eye: Wool4Health. Having read about it on the EWE website prior to arriving, I was excited to hear from representatives from Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Spain. Dr. Alberto Costa, EWE’s President and a world-renowned neurologist and breast cancer surgeon, introduced each speaker with unexpected warmth and humour. I was able to record a snippet of his introduction to “Wool for Health” 🧶 I was overjoyed to hear about the research – published just last year in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports – which utilised advanced MEG (Magnetoencephalography) to map the brain during the act of making. The study revealed that knitting and crochet produce brain connectivity patterns nearly identical to those achieved through deep meditation and yoga. According to the clinical findings championed by Dr. Costa and his team, engaging with wool offers three distinct neurological advantages: 🧶 Increased Global Connectivity: The brain becomes more “integrated,” allowing different regions to communicate more efficiently. 🧶 The Flow State: The rhythmic, repetitive motion of stitching triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and reducing the “fight or flight” response. 🧶 Enhanced Attention: Unlike passive relaxation, the “alertness” and “orienting” networks of the brain are sharpened, aiding in better decision-making and cognitive reserve. Who should see this? Tag in comments ♥️🧶♥️ - @deestoppa

It has been a pleasure for CABR to co-sponsor the European Wool Day Conference 2026, which took place in Tralee on 28 March 2026. The conference brought together sheep farmers, researchers, practitioners, and wool enthusiasts to explore the world of European wool, share stories, ideas, and innovations, highlighting wool's vital role in sustainability, circular economies, and cultural heritage. The event included panel discussions, hands-on workshops, interactive presentations, and exhibitions connecting wool and the circular economy. The conference was organised by the European Wool Exchange Foundation (EWE) together with local co-hosts: Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC), Circular Bioeconomy Cluster (CBC), and Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR), and was also supported by Future Island-Island and REVEIRE #ewd2026 @ewe_foundation_ @wicklowuplands @kilkennyleader @galwayruraldevelopment @sharonwellsart @futureislandisland @newkdnews @luciaerrityart @emilyathompson_artist @ncad_dublin @wise_wool_project @kerrycountymuseum @irishhandweaves @irish_grown_wool_council_ @kerrycoarts @mariaswoolshop The CABR Technology Gateway is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27. 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 #EUinmyRegion @srassembly Enterprise Ireland Northern and Western Regional Assembly @eufundsireland @mtu_ie @tus_ire

I'm unofficially renaming the European Wool Experience to the EWWE !!!! The European Wonderful Wool Experience 😍😍😍 I just can't express how much this event exceeded our expectations. The exhibitors, the hotel staff, the delegates and especially the visitors made this the most perfect day. Happy faces expressions of delight, connections and collaboration, learning and legacy. The organisers who made this happen. President of the EWE Foundation Alberto Costa The EWE conference and Wool Experience Tralee 2026 Dóra and Catherine and myself Executive assistants on the day John Paul, Robert, Anne Aisling, Loli, Susan, Aedín and Shelly And definitely not least the Meadowlands staff coordinated beautifully by Gill, Theresa and Heather. @irish_grown_wool_council_ @ewe_foundation__ @meadowlands_hotel

Sneak peak at our lanyards for tomorrow's 'European Wool Day 2026 Conference' and 'European Wool Experience' events in @meadowlands_hotel Sat 28 March, 10am -5pm https://bit.ly/euwoolexp. An Irish grown woollen product sample will be adorning the necks of attendees. This woollen rope can be used in a wide range of products such as Marine, Gardening, Geo-textiles, Golf/Sports, Pets, Agricultural, Peatland Restoration, Kelp Farming, Crafts and more. 🪢 You don’t have to be an agri business to use wool. There are easy steps to take to swap out synthetics, whatever sector or project you’re working on. This weekend we’re turning lanyards into leads! This rope is from the Rathlin Wool Project, which aims to change low value Blackface wool into a valuable, placespecific and wonderful material. Part of a project by one of our sponsors @futureislandisland who worked with @donegalyarns , @ulsterwool , @sustainablerope and the Irish Grown Wool Council. Thanks to Alison Gault, Anna Duffy, Gillian Colhoun, Kate Drury, Chris Weiniger, Jayne Harkness (Bones) the Rathlin Islanders and all the teams for making this Irish grown wool rope happen. https://bit.ly/EWD26booking #EWDAY2026 #Irishwool #irishbioeconomy

Packing my car for EWDay. I'll be travelling to Tralee in the next couple of days and working hard to set up the conference area ready for our exhibitors. Really looking forward to seeing Dóra and Catherine who have worked so hard with me to bring this event to fruition. I neeed to keep focus now although I'm so excited it's hard to. Saturday 28th March Tralee. Come see us. @irish_grown_wool_council_ @ewe_foundation__ @wicklowcraftfoundation @feltmakers_ireland @weavespindyeie @wicklowuplands @meadowlands_hotel @lisamahony.14art

Join us for the European Wool Experience — a free public event celebrating wool, creativity and craftsmanship on Saturday 28th March (10am–5pm) at the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee as part of European Wool Day 2026 for a unique day where wool comes to life through hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions, research displays and interactive experiences from makers, artists, educators and innovators across Ireland and 10+ European countries. Whether you’re discovering wool for the first time, visiting with family and friends, or already passionate about fibre crafts, this is a wonderful opportunity to see traditional skills alongside contemporary practices — and experience the incredible versatility of this natural material. ✨ Meet makers ✨ Watch live 35+ demonstrations ✨ Explore exhibitions and displays ✨ Try wool crafts like felting weaving, spinning and much more in a welcoming, relaxed environment Drop in anytime — admission is Completely free and everyone is welcome! 🇪🇺'European Wool Experience' 📅 Saturday, 28 March 2026 | 10am – 5pm 📍 Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry (V92 DC83) 💸 Free entry | Family-friendly | All welcome work/ewd2026 #irishwool #irishwoolcraft #weaversofireland