PUTTING IRISH ZWARTBLES ON THE MAP
SUZANNA Crampton has become internationally known for the wool from her Zwartbles, which is used by some of the world’s top fashion houses.
Working on a small farm in the River Nore Valley in Co Kilkenny, where she keeps a modestly sized flock of sheep, she is believed to have been the first woman in the country to establish a flock of Zwartbles.
She was the founder of the Zwartbles Sheep Association (Southern Ireland Branch), her involvement with which earned her the Hall of Fame Award.
She has her wool spun locally into yarn and then woven to make blankets and travel rugs.
She has established her own brand name Zwartbles Ireland, with all the marketing done via social media.
Within weeks of launching her blankets, the Crafts Council of Ireland selected them for the 2013 London Design Festival.
A few months later, President Michael D Higgins chose Zwartbles Ireland travel rugs as diplomatic gifts for his trip to South and Central America.
Suzanne has featured on radio programmes as far away as Australia.
She has made numerous TV appearances and was in the film that celebrates Irish food and farming.
Her first book, written from the perspective of the cat on her farm, is due to hit the book shelves over the coming weeks.
Suzanne is also a founder member of the South East Women in Farming Ireland.