The Irish Grown Wool Council (IGWC) formed in April 2023 is all-island voluntary member group comprised of wool related stakeholders. The IGWC was formed following a recommendation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Review of Market Opportunities for Irish Grown Wool Based Products‘ report published in July 2022.
IGWC brings together stakeholders from both sides of the border to focus on improving the Irish wool sector. Working together to establish and further benefit the sector for the wider good. The clear and concise brief is to create additional value in the total wool value chain and ensure that a fair proportion of that value makes it way to the primary producer.
See our current volunteers here and our Vision & Aims here. For further information and media enquiries please contact us at: hello@irishgrownwoolcouncil.com
Media and related coverage to date:
December 2024
Agriland: 50,000 sheep farmers receive guide on wool value
October 2024
Irish Farmers Journal: Finding new products for overlooked wool (References Future Island-Island Rathlin Project)
Radio Kerry: ‘AgriTime’ : Irish Grown Wool Council interviews at the Dingle Wool Marquee
The Kerryman: Uphill struggle for hill farmers to get value out of wool
Agriland: Wool marquee to return to Dingle Food Festival
Agriland: The Offaly bedding company taking pride in Irish wool
September 2024
The Irish Times: What’s wool worth? ‘It’s an incredible product – natural, low carbon, biodegradable’
Irish Examiner: Shop window for Irish wool at Dingle Food Festival
Farming Life: Shear Success: A guide to help farmers maximize wool’s value
Ulster Farmer’s Union: Shear Success: A guide to help farmers maximize wool’s value
National Ploughing Association: Exhibitors Press Release
August 2024
RTE Radio 1: CountryWide segment ‘Irish Grown Wool’ Listen back here:
Agriland: Kerry Lamb and Wool Co-op celebrates 50th anniversary
TG4 Nuacht (TV)
Comharchumann Uain Chiarraí ar a 50ú bliain / Kerry Lamb Cooperative 50th year
(Segment starts at 5.18) https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/categories/news-stories/play/?pid=6360424666112&title=Nuacht%20TG4&series=Nuacht%20TG4&genre=Cursai%20Reatha&pcode=692564
July 2024
Shannon ABC’s Springwool Project Receives Over Half a Million in Funding
https://www.shannonabc.ie/springwool-project-receives-funding/
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3eecc-minister-heydon-announces-223-million-in-new-research-grants/
June 2024
Agriland: Teagasc and wool council produce videos on shearing best practice
May 2024
Fashionista.com Fashion History Lesson: Fisherman Sweaters
March 2024
Irish Examiner: Dream weaver: Meet the New York-based Irish designer Claire McGovern
Agriland
Ministers to wear and gift wool products abroad on St. Patrick’s Day
Kerrane: ‘Missed opportunity’ not to gift all-Irish wool items on St. Patrick’s Day
Irish Grown Wool Council rejects criticism of St. Patrick’s Day gifts
Irish Farmers Journal
Irish wool to feature in governments St Patricks Day Programme abroad
Agri Careers: Movers & Shakers
BusinessPlus: Ministers Join Push To Promote Irish Wool Garments
Wicklow People: Wicklow-born chair of IGWC promotes Irish wool
February 2024
Agriland: Hackett: ‘The world is our oyster when it comes to wool’
October 2023
Irish Farmers Journal: ‘Government needs to show ambition for wool, INHFA.’
April 2023:
Irish Farmers Journal: ‘A new Irish Wool Council is to be formally launched…’
Agriland: ‘New research and innovation hub to support wool council’
That’s Farming: IGWC: ‘It costs more to shear a sheep than would be received in revenue for the fleece’
Westmeath Examiner: ‘ICSA welcome launch of Irish Grown Wool Council’
Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South West: Establishment of the Wool Hub
Pippa Hackett, TD ‘Promote wool as a natural, sustainable and versatile material and help improve the quality of Irish farmed wool and facilitate collaboration in product and market research.’
Download DAFM ‘Review of Market Opportunities for Irish Grown Wool Based Products‘ here.