Rosemary Kavanagh - Heritage Experts | Heritage in Schools

Rosemary Kavanagh

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Subject(s):
Science, History, Geography
Curriculum Strands:
Story (History), Local Studies (History), Early people and ancient societies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Human environments (Geography), Natural environments (Geography), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science), Materials (Science)
Counties catered for:
Cork, Kerry, Limerick
Classes catered for:
All Classes

Book in-person visit


With over 10 years of experience in willow basket making, heritage arts, growing gardens, and telling stories—Rosemary helps connect children to the richness of the soil under our feet in a fun and interactive way and through many different mediums.

Setting up, planting, and/or tending an organic school garden of medicinal and culinary herbs, flowers, dye plants, and vegetables. Naturally supports insect wildlife and diversity.

Immersing ourselves in playful and informative mythological stories and folklore to support creativity, imagination and insight—best if combined with some hands on art craft afterwards for the children to integrate and reflect upon the stories.

Learn about the history, techniques, and ways of this ancient coppice craft through an interactive presentation. After which students can weave their own willow fish, star or other small project.

*For visits where the children are doing hands-on weaving as part of the visit, there is an additional fee to cover the cost of materials. For weaving fish: €1.50/child. For weaving stars: €2.50/child

Over the course of multiple visits we will weave a living willow structure that can be included in a children’s play area outside. This project yields well to including multiple class and even the whole school—the children will get to learn about coppice crafts, botany, and weaving while using their hands to help co-create a living willow structure.

*These structures can only be made between late November and March. For these structures we need willow that is at least 10 feet tall. If the school is not able to source the material for the living willow structures, Rosemary can supply the school with suitable material from her coppice at €3.50 per 10 foot+ rod.

We can use the medium of sheep wools, nettles or dried dandelion stems to make our very own fibre through spinning or cordage making. This can be included as a multiple-day visit to naturally dye our hand-spun wool yarn and learn about the amazing dying properties of plants.

*For natural dying there is a materials fee of €1/per child to cover the cost of the plants and fibre used for workshop-children get to go home with their own naturally dyed yarn

*For felting there is no additional cost as raw sheep fleece is in abundant supply

In this interactive presentation, Rosemary brings a wide variety of baskets made from native materials, handmade leather tanned traditionally with bark, handspun wool, and naturally dyed fibres to give the children a taster about the richness of our heritage arts. Telling stories about each of the crafts and helping bring the magic to life through the examples.

Testimonials

  • "Pupils enjoyed learning about basketry. They especially enjoyed creating their own fish." - Castledonovan NS, Cork
  • "Children really enjoyed it." - Kealkill NS, Cork
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  • "Excellent - kids loved the session!" - KIlcoe NS, Cork
  • "Very educational and practical workshop, the children really enjoyed it." - Derrycreha NS, Cork
  • "Well organised, informative and really enjoyable workshops." - Templebreedy NS, Cork
  • "Rosemary once again kept the children enthralled both with her presentation/information and practical application of the skills discussed." - Kilmeen NS, Cork
  • "A very enjoyable session. They children were all fully engaged and we'd have Rosemary back again." - Fermoy Adair NS, Cork
  • "Rosemary was warm and friendly and responsive to children’s questions. Her knowledge and presentation was impressive. The children really enjoyed the activity and were actively engaged at all times. They are immensely proud of their creation." - Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Cork
  • "Rosemary Kavanagh gave a presentation to all pupils on her specialist area of weaving and basketry. She then guided and instructed the pupils to create a willow tunnel and tepee in our school playscape. The creation is amazing and the pupils will have many hours of fun playing in it. Rosemary had a lovely way of interacting with the children and pitched her presentation to suit the various class levels." - Rathbarry NS, Cork
  • "Absolutely excellent in every way." - Scoil Mocheallóg, Limerick
  • "There was a fabulous response from pupils and staff. The pupils got to experience willow weaving skills and many (that we wouldn't have predicted) showed a keen interest and ability in taking part and completing the task. Rosemary tailored the class so that everyone could take part and that made it all the more enjoyable for pupils and staff yesterday." - St. Mary's special School, Rochestown, Cork
  • "Once again Rosemary has equipped the children with knowledge and skills that would otherwise not be know to them. Rosemary engages the children and encourages them to question and get involved." - Kilmeen National School, Cork
  • "Rosemary has once again brought something special to the students, a new learning experience which she led with gentleness and professionalism." - Kilmeen National School, Cork
  • "Excellent" - Kilcoe national school, Cork
  • "Rosemary gave a very informative and interesting presentation and had an excellent rapport with the children in whole class and small group settings. She transferred her knowledge and skills of basketry to the children in well thought out age appropriate sessions." - Ballinagree NS, Cork
  • "A super day. Rosemary was excellent!" - Glandore NS, Cork

Additional Information

  • Provides in-person visits
  • Caters for special needs
  • Provides practical/hands-on activities
  • Provides field trips

Contact Details

Mobile:
089 258 3226
Email:
heritage@wildrosebasketry.ie
Website:
www.wildrosebasketry.ie/