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The Celtic Roots Studio was formed in 1990 by Helen Conneely and has been based in Ballinahown, County Westmeath, since 1998. It was Ireland’s first Économusée, a living museum where visitors can learn about the history of a craft practice, meet the artisan at work, and see the finished pieces on display.
Over time, the studio has become an inherent part of the community and an expression of Conneely’s commitment to support sustainable development through partnership and dialogue, and to being involved with others in how the community of Ballinahown goes forward.
On a personal level, she and her family are committed to craft making and sustainable living. Professionally, and with a qualification in Community Development Practice from NUIG, Conneely has worked with County Council and LEADER initiatives since the 1990s to develop and support policies on sustainable development in rural communities.
As part of this commitment, and through the activities of The Celtic Roots Studio, Conneely became involved in tourism initiatives with a strong emphasis on rural development. She has been instrumental in the development of crafts in the Midlands.
The Celtic Roots Studio, situated in the craft village of Ballinahown, County Westmeath, combines a workshop and gallery space with an interpretative centre and display of historic artefacts made from bogwood. This natural material was formed from trees that became engulfed in Irish bogs thousands of years ago and preserved in the low oxygen atmosphere of the peat. Now, discarded bogwood is reclaimed by Celtic Roots Studio and slowly dried out over two years before it is carved and polished into contemporary sculpture and jewellery.
The pieces are designed by Helen Conneely, made in the workshop. She makes personalised jewellery engraved with a message that connects the wearer with the 5,000 year history of the wood. Recently, she has developed a range of small laser cut gift items, made from MDF cut-offs, that reference the locality and give visitors an alternative to imported souvenirs. The Celtic Roots Studio also sells the work of other craftspeople to complement the work in the studio. The studio offers a special engraving service, as well as classes on small-scale wood carving that give the person a small piece to take home and an understanding what it takes to sand and polish wood.
