Millmount’s magic touch
THE CRAFT QUARTER OVERLOOKING THE TOWN IS A MUST FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL. CULTURE NIGHT WILL SEE THE PLACE COME ALIVE. CAROLINE KAVANAGH REPORTS
QUITE literally – there’s everything from a needle to an anchor available at Millmount Craft Quarter! Grouped around the courtyard in former soldiers’ billeting house in the army barracks are makers of ceramics, jewellery, various art works, silver jewellery, silks, knitwear and revamped furniture – with a backdrop of amazing views over the town!
With an Open Night planned at Millmount for Culture Night on Friday 21 September, it’s a hive of industry! These craft makers create individually, but benefit from the sense of community that exists in the former garrison. ‘ There’s definitely a sense of community here and we can bounce ideas off each other,’ said silk designer, Mel Bradley. ‘We pop in and out to each other and can get a critique on our work,’ agreed ceramic maker Maureen Finn.
‘However we can be over-honest with each other too!’ joked knitwear designer Edmund McNulty. ‘It’s good to work within a community as we are all in the same frame of mind, producing work that the public may buy. Feedback is good.’
‘ Typically the artist works alone and art is an isolated profession, but the group here is sort of working together,’ mused Els Boghart. ‘ We can have a chat outside over lunch – it was lovely in the summer eating out in the courtyard.’
Deirdre McCullough of Oldbridge Silver, has been making jewellery since she studied at Crawford College of Art in Cork. ‘I started silver smithing there and loved it. I also liked making stained glass too – some of my work could be seen in Donegan’s of Monasterboice,’ she said. ‘However, my first love is jewellery design and that’s what I do here – handmade bespoke jewellery, as well as repairs and commissions for larger works such as the Chamber of Commerce Business Awards pieces.’
Maureen Finn opened her studio 20 years ago making ceramic bowls, platters and nightlight holders, as well as organic pots and garden sculpture. ‘People are looking or unusual gifts and they like sourcing local products. I have seen this growing in recent years. Customers want to ‘Meet the Maker’, said Maureen.
‘People are definitely looking for Irish and locally-made products,’ agreed Mel, whose soft furnishing silks were used internationally by Irish designer John Rocha for many years. ‘I make scarves, wraps, kaftans, silk paintings and art. I find that people now want something different and a piece of original art makes their house different. It stands out.’
Also making original art works are Declan Kelly and Els Boghart, trading under Edde Art. Their colourful limited edition prints would grace any domestic or commercial wall. ‘We hand-draw and hand-paint and then create Giclee prints which allow us to reproduce original work at a high level of quality at an affordable cost,’ explained Declan, who’s work features contemporary themes and colours. ‘My work is architectural and introspective on different strands.’
The duo created a massive mosaic out of recycled items which was on display in Millmount during the Fleadh.
Also recycling – or upcycling – is Beverley Wilde, who focuses on home interiors. ‘I upcycle furniture and make small crafts, and can supply the furniture item or can revamp the customer’s own pieces,’ she explained. ‘I also sell paint for DIY work, craft accessories and associated products, as well as hardware like speciality door knobs! I work to commission also.’
Looking back on the changes in Millmount in the past 23 years since she first opened her studio, Mel Bradley said that there were craft workers there since the early 1980s. ‘I remember the jeweller Elaine Hanrahan, Brian Hegarty Ceramics, Lizzy Anne Knitwear, Aine Dunne the weaver, Terry O’Brien wood carving and Jane Spearman ceramics. Drogheda Camera Club has been here for years, and there’s also an art group. Then there’s artist Ciaran Dunlevy who travels the country doing his wonderful murals. He will be back in his studio over the winter as he is illustrating a book.’
Mel added that business was up and down over the years, but since the economic crash, she sees a bounce back in the economy. ‘People seem to be more positive and optimistic now.’
Restaurants have come and gone in Millmount over the years, with Richmond Fort currently open for weddings, parties and private functions. ‘Customers are always looking for a coffee shop and I think it would be brilliant!’ said Beverley. ‘Millmount could be a micro-mini-Edinburgh!’
And just who are these visitors? It’s a mixture of locals and tourists, according to the group. ‘So many locals came up here for the first time during the Fleadh as they were just out walking round the town. Many were amazed that we were here! But a Craft Quarter is integral to a town. It’s a
matter of getting the word out there that we are here and what we can offer, said Beverley, who, the group says, is a wiz at social media! ‘Word of mouth is most important, as well as our Facebook page – which currently has details of a fantastic €500 craft hamper giveaway to mark Culture Night on 21 September.’
‘We spread the load of marketing between the group,’ explained Edmund. ‘New people have fresh approaches, fresh eyes and are open to creating new initiatives. Taking part in Culture Night was Maureen’s idea, and she is doing a tile-making demo for children on the night.’
‘We wanted an event to introduce the newcomers here to the public and this seemed right,’ said Maureen. ‘We hold an Open Night at Midsummer and Midwinter so September is good for another. We would love to be involved in Drogheda Arts Festival in May too. Some of us sell at Trade Fairs, Craft Fairs and at the RDS Christmas Craft Fair also.’
Mel has worked with fashion designer Louise Kennedy for many years, and recently won a commission to create a series of silk paintings for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. ‘I get commissions for wedding gifts, and I have exhibited silk sculpture in the National Botanic Gardens. I love to experiment with textiles and love art as well as the product design. I will sell at the Seamus Ennis Centre and Louth Craft Mark Christmas Fairs.’
Deirdre’s jewellery and silver art is available at tourist points, such as Newgrange and Hill of Tara. She also designs and makes awards.
Splitting his business between the wholesale market and his own shop, Edmund exhibits at the Showcase Ireland trade fair every January where buyers from all over the world order his woollen jumpers, scarves and clothing. ‘I have regular clients who come to my shop but I spend the year in production for shops,’ he explained. ‘ The garments are machine-made but hand-combed. The wools I use are quite unusual and exotic – from baby camel hair to kid mohair, cashmere and baby alpaca, with all blended with merino wool.’
This is a talented group of craftmakers on Drogheda’s doorstep, many of them multi-award winning! Maureen won the 2011 Sculpture in Context ‘ Best Ceramic Piece’ in the Botanic Gardens. Mel won ‘Best Product Award’ at Showcase in 2011 for her silk lamps. Beverley won an American prize in 2017, Els has won a number of Arts Council awards, Edmund won Best Craft Business in Louth 2010 in the Louth Enterprise awards – and Deirdre is very proud of holding a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Licence!
I HAVE REGULAR CLIENTS WHO COME TO MY SHOP BUT I SPEND THE YEAR IN PRODUCTION FOR SHOPS. THE GARMENTS ARE MACHINE-MADE BUT HAND-COMBED. THE WOOLS I USE ARE QUITE UNUSUAL AND EXOTIC – FROM BABY CAMEL HAIR TO KID MOHAIR, CASHMERE AND BABY ALPACA