A big Main Street welcome for guild’s newly refurbished An Gailearaí Beag

HOME of the West Kerry Craft Guild, a refurbished An Gailearaí Beag re-opened its doors on Main Street this week with the public responding glowingly to the renovations made to the Dingle store.

Showcasing handmade, local arts and crafts, the iconic reddoored building has been a popular marker on Main Street since its opening just under 20 years ago.

Juli Malone became involved with the gifted local co-operative in the last two years, and she basked in the refreshing range of activities that heralded the store’s re-opening last Thursday (June 15).

“The co-operative is here to preserve traditional skills and methods, and it’s a labour of love for the 15 of us who currently make up the guild,” she told The Kerryman.

“There was a carnival-like atmosphere both inside and outside the shop on Thursday as we demonstrated some of those skills; members of the guild spun wool, fused glass, and provided workshops in dark-room photography, to highlight but a few samples of what took place.

“We had a ukulele band outside the store on the day, which tied in perfectly with the kind of atmosphere that was around the place, and as visitors had a look at our renovations -- which includes new shelving, counters, and flooring -- they were able to enjoy a few refreshments and nice bites.”

As a co-operative, Juli explains that the West Kerry Craft Guild can provide its wares at reasonable prices, while the camaraderie amongst members allows An Gealaraí Beag to showcase their goods all year round.

“We each devote two days in a month to the running of An Gealearaí Beag, so our system works very well,” she said.

“Everyone seemed to love the refurbishments; they will boost our store still further!”

The scene outside An Gailearaí Beag on Thursday.