Month: June 2026

Learn the Ancient Craft of Basket Weaving at teh Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny

Looking for creative workshops in Kilkenny or an evening experience that blends heritage, skill and creativity? Join us at the Medieval Mile Museum for a hands-on Basket Weaving Workshop as part of the Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series, where visitors can explore one of humanity’s oldest and most practical crafts in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

Led by experimental archaeologist Madison Blankenship, this engaging evening workshop invites participants to slow down, work with their hands and discover how weaving traditions shaped everyday life for thousands of years.

One of the Oldest Crafts in Human History

People have been weaving baskets for at least 10,000 years, making basketry one of the earliest and most widespread crafts practiced across the world. Long before modern containers and storage methods existed, baskets were essential tools used for gathering food, carrying goods, storing supplies and supporting everyday life.

Throughout medieval Ireland and beyond, basket weaving combined creativity with practicality, producing objects that were both useful and beautifully crafted.

This workshop offers a fascinating opportunity to learn about those traditions while creating your own basket using historic weaving techniques.

Learn with Madison Blankenship

Experimental archaeologist, Madison Blankenship, will guide participants through the history, methods and practical skills involved in basket weaving.

Whether you are interested in archaeology, enjoy traditional crafts or simply want to try something new, this workshop welcomes all skill levels and provides a relaxed and enjoyable evening of creativity and learning.

Participants will leave with:

◆ Their own woven basket
◆ Practical weaving skills
◆ A deeper appreciation of ancient and medieval craftsmanship

Event Details

Date: Friday, 7th August| 6 pm
20 places available | €15 per person | 18+
All materials included

SOLD OUT

Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series

The 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series offers a unique opportunity to enjoy creative workshops and evening cultural experiences in Kilkenny within some of the city’s most historic and inspiring settings.

Featuring 36 free and ticketed events from June to early September, the Six After 6 – Summer Cultural Series brings many of Kilkenny’s leading visitor attractions to life after hours, creating memorable evenings for both locals and visitors throughout the summer.

The six attractions taking part in the series are:

◆ Medieval Mile Museum
◆ Butler House & Garden
◆ Smithwick’s Experience
◆ Rothe House
◆ St Canice’s Cathedral
◆ Butler Gallery

Whether you are seeking a new hobby, a cultural evening out or simply looking for something different to do in Kilkenny, the Six After 6 programme offers a rich mix of creativity, heritage and discovery across the city.

At the Medieval Mile Museum, our workshops provide an inspiring opportunity to connect with medieval history through making, learning and creativity in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

The Six after 6 – Summer Cultural Series is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s Ancient East and the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot.

Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

Discover the Art of Medieval Calligraphy at the Medieval Mile museum, Kilkenny

Looking for creative workshops in Kilkenny or a cultural evening experience inspired by history and art?

Join us at the Medieval Mile Museum for a beautiful and engaging Medieval Calligraphy Workshop, part of the Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series, where visitors can learn the elegant art of historic lettering within the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

Led by Dr Julia Skinner, this hands-on evening workshop invites participants to slow down, work creatively and discover the writing styles that helped shape some of history’s most celebrated manuscripts.

The Beauty of Medieval Calligraphy

Before printing presses and digital fonts, calligraphy transformed words into works of art.

Medieval scribes developed intricate writing styles that brought manuscripts to life through carefully formed lettering and decorative design. One of the most recognisable is uncial script, a flowing style used throughout medieval Europe and commonly found in illuminated manuscripts.

Closely linked with Ireland’s rich manuscript tradition and masterpieces such as the Book of Kells, calligraphy combined patience, skill and artistic expression.

This workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore these historic techniques and experience the craftsmanship behind medieval writing.

Learn with Dr Julia Skinner

Dr Julia Skinner will guide participants through the foundations of medieval calligraphy and introduce the basic skills needed to write the alphabet using uncial script.

Whether you are returning to illuminated artwork created in earlier workshops or discovering calligraphy for the first time, this welcoming and creative evening is suitable for all skill levels.

Participants will leave with:

◆ Their own calligraphy practice work
◆ Practical lettering skills
◆ A deeper appreciation of medieval manuscript traditions
◆ Creative inspiration to continue at home

Discover the Ancient Craft of Tablet Weaving in Kilkenny

Looking for creative workshops in Kilkenny or an evening experience inspired by heritage and traditional skills?

Join us at the Medieval Mile Museum for a fascinating Tablet Weaving Workshop as part of the Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series, where history, craftsmanship and creativity come together within the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

Led by Grace Rinehart Macrae, Assistant Manager at the Medieval Mile Museum and historical costumer, this hands-on workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore an ancient textile craft that has been practiced across cultures for centuries.

What is Tablet Weaving?

Tablet weaving, sometimes known as card weaving, dates back to at least the 8th century BCE and has been used around the world to create decorative trims, belts and strong woven bands. From practical clothing fastenings to richly decorative borders, tablet weaving played an important role in historic dress and textile production.

Using a series of small weaving cards and tension rather than a loom, participants will discover how surprisingly simple and satisfying this historic technique can be. The workshop also explores how tablet weaving continues to inspire textile makers today, including the creation of traditional woven pieces such as the Irish crios belt.

Learn with Grace Rinehart Macrae

Historical costumer and embroiderer Grace Rinehart Macrae will guide participants through the history, techniques and practical skills involved in tablet weaving.

Whether you are interested in textiles, costume history or simply looking for something different to do in Kilkenny, this welcoming workshop is suitable for all skill levels and offers an enjoyable evening of creativity and conversation.

Participants will leave with:

◆ Their own weaving project
◆ Handmade weaving cards
◆ Practical weaving skills to continue at home
◆ A deeper understanding of historic textile traditions

Event Details

Date: Friday, 21 August | 6 pm
20 places available | €15 per person | 18+
All materials included

Click Here to Book Your Place

Places are limited and advance booking is recommended.

Looking for creative workshops in Kilkenny or an evening cultural experience inspired by history and storytelling?

Join us at the Medieval Mile Museum for a fascinating Bayeux Tapestry Embroidery Workshop, part of the Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series, where medieval history and creativity come together in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

Led by Grace Rinehart Macrae and Lyn Keane, this hands-on embroidery workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore one of history’s most famous textiles while creating their own tapestry-inspired scene.

The Story Behind the Bayeux Tapestry

The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the world’s most celebrated medieval artworks, telling the dramatic story of the Norman conquest of England through embroidered scenes filled with battle, symbolism and storytelling.

Stretching almost 70 metres in length, the tapestry captures the events surrounding William the Conqueror and remains an extraordinary example of medieval craftsmanship and historical storytelling.

This workshop also connects with the upcoming Year of the Norman 2027 and the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth in 1027, offering participants a timely opportunity to engage with Norman history and medieval art through making and creativity.

Learn Medieval Embroidery with Grace Rinehart Macrae and Lyn Keane

Historical costumers and embroiderers Grace Rinehart Macrae and Lyn Keane will guide participants through the stitches, techniques and stories behind the Bayeux Tapestry.

As you learn, you will create your own embroidered scene inspired by the famous tapestry, taking home both a new skill and a project to continue beyond the workshop.

Whether you are new to embroidery or already enjoy needlework and historic crafts, this workshop welcomes all skill levels and offers a relaxed and enjoyable evening of learning and creativity.

Participants will leave with:

◆ Their own tapestry-inspired embroidery project
◆ New embroidery techniques and skills
◆ A deeper appreciation of Norman history and medieval storytelling

Event Details

Date: Friday 24 July | 6 pm
20 places available | €15 per person | 18+
All materials included

Book Your Place Here

Places are limited and early booking is recommended.

Book here and stitch your own piece of medieval storytelling in the heart of Medieval Kilkenny.

Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series

The 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series offers a unique opportunity to enjoy creative workshops and evening cultural experiences in Kilkenny within some of the city’s most historic and inspiring settings.

Featuring 36 free and ticketed events from June to early September, the Six After 6 – Summer Cultural Series brings many of Kilkenny’s leading visitor attractions to life after hours, creating memorable evenings for both locals and visitors throughout the summer.

The six attractions taking part in the series are:

◆ Medieval Mile Museum
◆ Butler House & Garden
◆ Smithwick’s Experience
◆ Rothe House
◆ St Canice’s Cathedral
◆ Butler Gallery

Whether you are seeking a new hobby, a cultural evening out or simply looking for something different to do in Kilkenny, the Six After 6 programme offers a rich mix of creativity, heritage and discovery across the city.

At the Medieval Mile Museum, our workshops provide an inspiring opportunity to connect with medieval history through making, learning and creativity in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

The Six after 6 – Summer Cultural Series is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s Ancient East and the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot.

Looking for craft workshops in Kilkenny or a creative evening with a historic twist?

The Medieval Mile Museum invites you to slow down, stitch and discover the elegant world of Tudor Blackwork Embroidery as part of the Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series.

Led by Grace Rinehart Macrae, historical costumer and Assistant Manager at the Medieval Mile Museum, this hands-on workshop explores one of the most distinctive embroidery styles of the Tudor period within the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

What is Tudor Blackwork Embroidery?

Blackwork embroidery became highly fashionable among the Tudor upper classes and was commonly used to decorate collars, cuffs and fine garments visible beneath layers of elaborate clothing.

Its beautiful combination of geometric patterns and floral motifs made it instantly recognisable and helped define the elegance of Tudor dress, as seen in many portraits from the period.

More than decoration alone, embroidery provided a creative outlet and practical skill that was passed from generation to generation. This workshop offers participants the opportunity to connect with that tradition while learning a relaxing and rewarding craft.

Learn Historic Stitching with Grace Rinehart Macrae

Join Grace Rinehart Macrae for an evening of stitching, creativity and conversation exploring historical clothing and decorative techniques.

Participants will learn the foundations of blackwork embroidery and create their own stitched sampler to display or continue developing at home.

Whether you already enjoy sewing and textiles or are trying embroidery for the first time, this workshop welcomes all skill levels and offers a warm and engaging learning experience.

Participants will leave with:

◆ Their own embroidered sampler
◆ Practical embroidery skills
◆ A deeper appreciation of Tudor craft and clothing traditions

Event Details

Date: Friday 10 July | 6 pm
20 places available | €15 per person | 18+
All materials included

Sold Out

Places are limited and advance booking is recommended.

Book today and discover the beauty of Tudor embroidery in the heart of Medieval Kilkenny.

Six After 6 Summer Cultural Series

The 6 After 6 Summer Cultural Series offers a unique opportunity to enjoy creative workshops and evening cultural experiences in Kilkenny within some of the city’s most historic and inspiring settings.

Featuring 36 free and ticketed events from June to early September, the Six After 6 – Summer Cultural Series brings many of Kilkenny’s leading visitor attractions to life after hours, creating memorable evenings for both locals and visitors throughout the summer.

The six attractions taking part in the series are:

◆ Medieval Mile Museum
◆ Butler House & Garden
◆ Smithwick’s Experience
◆ Rothe House
◆ St Canice’s Cathedral
◆ Butler Gallery

Whether you are seeking a new hobby, a cultural evening out or simply looking for something different to do in Kilkenny, the Six After 6 programme offers a rich mix of creativity, heritage and discovery across the city.

At the Medieval Mile Museum, our workshops provide an inspiring opportunity to connect with medieval history through making, learning and creativity in the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church.

The Six after 6 – Summer Cultural Series is supported by Kilkenny County Council, Fáilte Ireland – Ireland’s Ancient East and the Kilkenny Night Time Economy Pilot.