Breathing new life into an ancient craft, Taipeis Gael tapestry weavers' mission is to weave a future from their rich cultural heritage. This collection of contemporary textiles, photographs, and personal essays explores how young artists in Gleanncolmcille, Donegal, Ireland, with the help of elder mentors from their village, formed a weaving cooperative called, Taipeis Gael.

Taipeis Gael contributes to the preservation of regional culture in the Gaeltacht, the Irish-speaking sections of western Ireland. The weavers believe their work is of importance because "large chunks of our cultural heritage have been lost with the passing of just one generation.

Traditional methods of wool production are presented in this book along with folklore, myth and local archaeology which influences the weavers' practices, tapestry design, self-perceptions and identities as artists and mentors within their communities. Also included is a documentation of the natural materials--plants and sea life--that their ancestors used in dye recipes for the yarns in their sweaters and tweed.

ISBN 13: 978-0-9535353-3-0/ 200 pgs. / Cork University Press

Image copyrights by Laurence Boland and Taipeis Gael