Leenane Cultural Centre

This museum offers an insight into a vital part of Connemara history, through demonstrations, exhibits and audio-visual display. Spinning and weaving as practised in the region for hundreds of years are demonstrated daily. A variety of different sheep breeds graze in the grounds. The Sheep and Wool Museum looms and spinning wheels revive an important part of their culture and socio-economic history. There is an increasing awareness of the value of the hand made materials and environmentally friendly production systems today. Dyeing of wool has been practiced for thousands of years and the use of organic material to produce a wide range of colours is a fascinating study. The use of advanced breeding programmes to produce more meat and wool has played havoc with indigenous sheep breeds over the past 500 years. Efforts are now being made to conserve the exisiting gene pool and prevent further deterioration. Visitors to the museum obtain a great insight into the history and importance of wool in Ireland and come away more conscious of the need to protect the heritage and the culture.