Weaving to Preserve Cherished Memories: The Tudor Artisan Hub
Launches ‘The Memory Keep’ for Bealtaine 2026
Launches ‘The Memory Keep’ for Bealtaine 2026
Cherished memories are often held in the very fabric of our lives: a scrap of vintage
lace from a wedding day, a father’s tie, a hand-stitched handkerchief, or a ribbon
from a child’s gift. At the Tudor Artisan Hub, these ‘anchors’ of memory are being
transformed into a unique, tactile legacy through a new participatory arts initiative
titled ‘The Memory Keep.’
lace from a wedding day, a father’s tie, a hand-stitched handkerchief, or a ribbon
from a child’s gift. At the Tudor Artisan Hub, these ‘anchors’ of memory are being
transformed into a unique, tactile legacy through a new participatory arts initiative
titled ‘The Memory Keep.’
For the past ten weeks, a dedicated group of Makers from the Tudor Artisan Hub has
been working quietly behind the scenes to ‘test the threads’ of this project and find
their rhythm. Initiated by Hub owner and visionary Linda Fahy, and co-led by creative
practitioners Sheila Wood and felt-maker Liz Martin, these ‘Story Weavers’ have
been developing a framework for sensory fabric scrapbooks. This pilot phase has
been a journey of ‘slow crafting,’ where significant life chapters, from beloved pets
and childhood homes to gardens, landscapes, music, and city skylines, are captured
using upcycled fabrics, felt, wool, and thread.
been working quietly behind the scenes to ‘test the threads’ of this project and find
their rhythm. Initiated by Hub owner and visionary Linda Fahy, and co-led by creative
practitioners Sheila Wood and felt-maker Liz Martin, these ‘Story Weavers’ have
been developing a framework for sensory fabric scrapbooks. This pilot phase has
been a journey of ‘slow crafting,’ where significant life chapters, from beloved pets
and childhood homes to gardens, landscapes, music, and city skylines, are captured
using upcycled fabrics, felt, wool, and thread.
The project is more than a crafting workshop; it is a form of social prescribing. By
celebrating creativity as we age, it fosters wellbeing and ensures that even as
memories may begin to fade, our most significant stories can be preserved and
remain touchable, vibrant, and within reach. A key hope for ‘The Memory Keep’ is to
develop a creative template that supports cognitive health and memory preservation.
By encouraging people to capture their life chapters now, while they can, they are
safeguarding their own memories in a sensory way that can be shared with loved
ones for years to come.
celebrating creativity as we age, it fosters wellbeing and ensures that even as
memories may begin to fade, our most significant stories can be preserved and
remain touchable, vibrant, and within reach. A key hope for ‘The Memory Keep’ is to
develop a creative template that supports cognitive health and memory preservation.
By encouraging people to capture their life chapters now, while they can, they are
safeguarding their own memories in a sensory way that can be shared with loved
ones for years to come.
This initiative is deeply intergenerational; a fabric sensory scrapbook offers a much
more engaging, tactile way to share memories with all ages compared to traditional
photos. It is a beautiful legacy piece to pass on, a story that grandchildren and great-
grandchildren can literally touch and feel.
more engaging, tactile way to share memories with all ages compared to traditional
photos. It is a beautiful legacy piece to pass on, a story that grandchildren and great-
grandchildren can literally touch and feel.
Now, the Hub is widening the circle. Throughout April, the 50+ community is invited
to join the ‘Memory Keep Circle’ in the Hub gallery. These sessions offer a creative
sanctuary where the kettle is always on and stories flow as freely as the thread.
Two distinct sessions are available on Tuesdays (April 14, 21, and 28). The Budding
Stitchers (5:00pm – 7:30pm) session is perfect for those picking up a needle for the
first time. Meanwhile, the Hub is particularly encouraging Seasoned Stitchers to drop
into the 2:00pm – 4:30pm session. This afternoon slot is a relaxed space for
experienced sewers to explore the scrapbook concept, share techniques, and see
how their skills can help preserve life’s precious chapters.
to join the ‘Memory Keep Circle’ in the Hub gallery. These sessions offer a creative
sanctuary where the kettle is always on and stories flow as freely as the thread.
Two distinct sessions are available on Tuesdays (April 14, 21, and 28). The Budding
Stitchers (5:00pm – 7:30pm) session is perfect for those picking up a needle for the
first time. Meanwhile, the Hub is particularly encouraging Seasoned Stitchers to drop
into the 2:00pm – 4:30pm session. This afternoon slot is a relaxed space for
experienced sewers to explore the scrapbook concept, share techniques, and see
how their skills can help preserve life’s precious chapters.
What to bring: Bring your own sewing kit if you have one and any meaningful fabric
scraps (old clothes, lace, ribbons). No need to buy anything new, this is a
scraps (old clothes, lace, ribbons). No need to buy anything new, this is a
sustainable project, and we will have fabric, needles, threads on-site! The main thing
to bring is a memory that brings you happiness!
The project will culminate in a beautiful showcase running from 5 th -16 th May at the
Tudor Artisan Hub to celebrate the Bealtaine Festival 2026.
to bring is a memory that brings you happiness!
The project will culminate in a beautiful showcase running from 5 th -16 th May at the
Tudor Artisan Hub to celebrate the Bealtaine Festival 2026.
“These fabric pages are a gift from yourself to yourself, created by you—a way to
safeguard the things you treasure most,” says Project Manager Linda Fahy. “In this
circle, there is no such thing as a ‘wrong stitch’ or a ‘wrong method’; it is simply
about finding the thread of your own story.”
safeguard the things you treasure most,” says Project Manager Linda Fahy. “In this
circle, there is no such thing as a ‘wrong stitch’ or a ‘wrong method’; it is simply
about finding the thread of your own story.”
‘The Memory Keep’ is a Bealtaine Age & Opportunity Arts initiative, funded by The
Arts Council and the HSE, and supported by the Tipperary County Council Arts
Office.
Arts Council and the HSE, and supported by the Tipperary County Council Arts
Office.
To book your spot in the circle or learn more, contact the Tudor Artisan Hub at 086
2560609, email tudorartisanhub@gmail.com, or drop into the gallery at 42 Main
Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
2560609, email tudorartisanhub@gmail.com, or drop into the gallery at 42 Main
Street, Carrick-on-Suir.
