Ireland secures bid to host European Wool Day 2026. The event will bring together national and international attendees highlighting wool’s vital role in sustainability, circular economies and cultural heritage.
Update 1st March 2026
Please note the European Wool 2026 Conference is now fully booked and is operating a waiting list. All the presentations will be recorded and will be available to view free online (including additional extra content) at EWE Foundation’s Youtube Channel from 9th April 2026. You can view the full programme list of speakers and panel talks here.
However our fringe event: ‘European Wool Experience‘ is a free event open to the general public, happening on the same day in the same hotel (Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee). Open to the general public; for families, individuals and groups. Drop in between 10am – 5pm throughout the day. Exhibitions, interactive demonstrations and displays where you can see, meet and engage with over 35 exhibitors from across Ireland and Europe. Saturday 28th March 2026. See full list of over 35 exhibitors here to save the date and plan your day.
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19th December 2025
The initiative organisers 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), will host a conference for registered attendees on Saturday 28th March 2026 in the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry. There will also be a series of fringe activities taking place in Tralee on Friday 27th March for visitors and the general public.
The event is also being supported by Future Island Island and REVEIRE, alongside the co-hosts, strengthening collaboration across the wool and bioeconomy sectors. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
(The REVEIRE project is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2021-2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.)
Event organisers are advising people to ‘save the date’ 28th March 2026 as event bookings, conference registration and a call for applications to present at European Wool Day are now open. Those interested are encouraged to follow the social media platforms of the European Wool Exchange Foundation and the Irish Grown Wool Council for further updates.
The event is expected to welcome visitors from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England and Europe, reflecting the growing interest in wool and underscoring the event’s broad appeal and sector-wide relevance.
Across the islands of Ireland, Britain and Europe, many wool organisations, events and activities are established and emerging. European Wool Day offers a rare opportunity to connect in person, building meaningful relationships and fostering genuine collaboration. In 2026, those connections will happen in real life, in Ireland (IRL). It promises to be an experience of real connection and collective creativity, to honour the people, animals and landscapes that keep the wool story alive.
Previously the European Wool Day event has been hosted in Museo del Traje (Spain), Zlatibor (Serbia), Metsovo (Greece) and) Rome (Italy) and Cyprus.
European Wool Day 2026 aligns with three UN International Years in 2026:
- International Year of the Woman Farmer; recognising women’s contributions to agriculture, land stewardship, and wool traditions
- International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development; highlighting community action for the Sustainable Development Goals
- International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists; celebrating sustainable pastoral systems
What to Expect:
Celebrations of diversity, collaboration and shared purpose within the European wool sector including: - Interactive presentations (Registered Conference Attendees)
- Exhibitions connecting wool and circular economy (General Public & Registered Conference Attendees)
- Demonstrations, community spinning and felting circles (General Public & Conference Attendees)
Quotes from Co-Hosts
“European Wool Day is a chance to showcase wool as a natural, sustainable fibre and to celebrate the people who make it possible across Europe.”
Dóra Jamniczky-Kaszás, Coordinator European Wool Exchange Foundation (EWE):
“As co-host of European Wool Day 2026, we are proud to help highlight the important role of wool in advancing a more sustainable and circular future.” Michael Noctor, Education & Outreach Manager, Circular Bioeconomy Cluster
“We look forward to sharing our scientific and applied research supporting sustainable wool processing and its wider benefits for communities and ecosystems.” Dr.Tim Yeomans, Centre Manager, Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR)
“This event is a chance to showcase Irish grown wool whilst also hearing the stories of wool from other countries across Europe, creating opportunities for connection, shared learning and meaningful collaborations, nationally and internationally. Many thanks to our co-hosts, sponsors and to Kerry Convention Bureau and Failte Ireland for their support surrounding the European Wool Day 2026 conference taking place in Kerry.”
Catherine Phibbs, Brand & Marketing, Irish Grown Wool Council
“This offers a wonderful opportunity to bring together farmers, researchers, designers, makers and the general public to celebrate Irish wool and its critical contribution to sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods.”
Sharon Wells, EWD26 Exhibition Co-Ordinator, Fibre Artist
Destination: Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Venue: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co.Kerry
Saturday, 28 March 2026
European Wool Day 2026 Conference. Conference bookings available to book now on Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/EWD26booking
Call for applications to present at European Wool Day 2026 are open, see www.ewe.network/ewd2026/ for more details.
‘European Wool Experience‘ is an exhibition of wool related projects and display at Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co.Kerry.
Open to the general public on Saturday 28th March. See more details here.
#EWD26
*** By attending these events, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or recorded, and to the use of your image, voice, and likeness for promotional purposes by European Wool Exchange Foundation. If you do not wish to be recorded, please inform a member of our team upon arrival. ***
Officially European Wool Day is celebrated on 9 April each year, whilst the conference can take place on or before this date.
