Archived News

Workhouse Studio - Waterford

Eily O'Connell and Sabrina Meyns are involved in The Workhouse Studio in Co Waterford. The studio came about following a successful feasibility study byCaroline Madden (tutor at the National College of Art and Design) and the local Vocational Educational Committee (VEC), which looked into the viability of setting up recent graduates in workingstudios while also enabling them to attend business courses at the VEC.

The philosophy of the Workhouse Studio is to design and make design-led, high-end, innovative jewellery, glass and textiles products. This dynamic collective of designers includes Eily O’Connell, jewellery; Sabrina Meyns, jewellery; Ann Nolan, textiles; Maggie Cashman, glass; Aisling Cook, glass and Claire McAlister; jewellery. According to the designers they have “created studios with limitless creative potential and their synergy and unique approach will ensure the success of the studio and become a Mecca for those seeking Irish, design-led, time-honoured, fresh, edgy, craft”.

The Workhouse Studio has received tremendous support from the Waterford Enterprise Board, VEC and the Craft Council of Ireland.

The Workhouse Studio was opened in 2008 in the historic Kilmacthomas Workhouse, which was built in 1851 in the townland of Carriganonshagh (Rock of Female Idiots!) on the Waterford side of Kilmacthomas. The official opening of the studio takes place on Wednesday, 16th September, 2009.