MARJA ALMQVUIST
Textile Tutor for CDETB
Almqvist, who has a degree in textile design from NCAD and was a community development worker for 20 years, has combined these two strands of her life by founding a “community-based textile school”, called The Yarn School.
She has worked with local women in and around the Liberties on a couple of different projects in recent times. “I became more and more aware of the long tradition of textile work in this area,” she says.
One project was a quilt in honour of the 77 women arrested after the Easter Rising. Another was the Suffragette Hat Project.
Going back generations, women around the Liberties have worked in factories or workshops, or doing piecework at home, or making things for their families.
“So there’s an incredibly rich store of knowledge which is getting lost in the next generation,” Almqvist said.
Almqvist says the idea behind the classes is to try to revive those skills and to get people making again.
CATHY SCUFFIL
Historian in Residence
Cathy is a Historian in Residence with Dublin City Council for the Dublin South Central area and over the last few years in her role, she has worked with schools, local history societies and community groups in her mission to make history engaging for people from all walks of life.
Cathy has been a champion of the Liberties Weavers from the beginning. Cathy has also guided us through the social history and the impact weaving had on The Liberties.
CLAIRE BYRNE
Beginner Course Instructor, Chair of The Liberties Weavers
Claire has been the chair since it's establishment. Claire loves weaving on her inkle loom. Claire comes from a long line of weavers, with her family having worked in the Greenmount Mill in Harold's Cross.
MAUREEN MURRAY
Beginner Course Instructor, Secretary
Maureen is a lifelong learner and creator with a special interest in heritage crafts. As well as being our Secretary and one of our tutors she is also involved with the Irish Crochet Lace Revival group and her work has been showcased on several occasions. With a vast craft skill set under her belt she is always open to new challenges.
COLETTE APPLEBY
Treasurer
I have a lifelong interest in yarn and textile crafts and I love to learn new skills. With a family background in both textiles and the Liberties area, I am happy to be our Treasurer. I am also a member of the Irish Crochet Lace Revival group and have enjoyed the challenge of combining crochet lace and weaving to complete something special.
ERIC O'REILLY
Equipment Manager/WeaveTime Instructor
Weaving is my new hobby. I went to the starter classes and was delighted to discover something so old and yet continuously inventive. I love the hands on creativity. Start at the loom and at the end you have ...whatever you want. I am beginning to run out of people to give bookmarks, placemats and scarves to. Recycled mats next.
CRISTINA NICOTRA
Web design & Social Media
Cristina is a multidisciplinary creator with a crazy love for textiles. She discovered weaving thanks to The Liberties Weavers and is happily combining it with her work in design and sustainable fashion.
TERI BYRNE
WeaveTime Manager
Teri hails from Canada but is still a Liberties Belle with strong roots to Fumbally Lane. Having mastered her table loom, aptly named The Beast, which has produced beautiful fabrics and dish cloths. Teri started as the Liberties Weavers treasurer and is now manages all things WeaveTime. Teri is also a cat mom to Gabby and Amber.
Ps. Teri makes the best ginger biscuits ever.