Galway Wool Co‑op is a farmer‑owned cooperative dedicated to reviving and preserving the native white‑faced Galway sheep of Ireland. The co‑op was launched in 2021 by members of the Galway Sheep Breeders Association, guided by founders who combined agricultural knowledge and commitment to heritage fibre.
The founding team includes:
From that foundation, the co‑op channels wool from pure‑bred Galway sheep with full pedigree and traceability, preserving traditional Irish wool heritage while supporting sustainable farming and rural livelihoods.
The flagship yarn is known as Báinín, a worsted-spun heritage fibre from pure Galway fleece. Báinín offers excellent stitch definition, making it ideal for textured knitting such as cables and the classic Aran-style patterns.
Báinín is breathable and moisture‑regulating, warming in winter and cooling in summer. Naturally rich in lanolin, it provides water‑resistance, which makes it suitable for outdoor wear and rugged garments.
It’s also naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and bacteria, lending itself well to knitwear, blankets, and home textiles, especially for those with sensitivities.
Beyond yarn and garments, the raw Galway wool fibre is versatile. It can be used in home‑interior and lifestyle products including cushion and mattress filling, upholstery, throws, wall hangings, tapestries, rugs and carpets.
The wool’s natural off‑white colour and firm structure make it suitable for both undyed, rustic projects and for dyeing, offering clarity and depth.
Because Galway wool is biodegradable, free of synthetic toxins, and flame‑retardant, using it supports a more sustainable, eco‑conscious choice of material.
Yes, but only under certain conditions. If you want to purchase more than about 5,000 kg of wool “in the grease,” you’ll need to contact the co‑op directly. This helps ensure you get full‑clip quality wool with proper provenance.
Yes. When available (such as during their published collection cycles), Galway Wool supplies scoured fleece and even yarn suitable for weaving, felting, filling, rugs, home textiles, etc. Pre‑ordering is recommended, because purebred Galway fleece is rare.
The co‑op doesn’t always sell small‑amount retail directly — sometimes the entire fleece “clip” is sold or reserved (as in 2021, where one partner took the whole clip). In such cases, you may need to reach out to the co‑op or check with their listed stockists.
Not at all. While Galway Wool is sturdy and well‑suited for structure and durability, the co‑op suggests blending it with softer wools when the final garment needs to be soft against skin. This yields a balance: strength and heritage from Galway Wool, plus comfort from softer fibre.
We’ll be back in touch as soon as we are ready to officially launch!
Leave a Reply