Earlier this year, Galway City Museum was awarded funding through the Creative Communities Fund, an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme, to develop and deliver an arts programme for young children (under 5s) inspired by the buta (or flower) motif found on the traditional Galway Shawl, a design that travelled from India, through Scotland, to Ireland.
Working with the Museum, experienced artist and arts educator Bryony Hussey developed a printmaking workshop, with sessions delivered to the public, schoolchildren and families living in IPAS centres. Each session began with a short introduction to the motif and the Galway Shawl, before the children, supported by their parents, guardians or teachers, were encouraged to experiment with printmaking techniques. It was wonderful to see so many very young children engaging with the Museum, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback form participants was particularly encouraging.
One parent subsequently wrote:
It was fabulous! Bry is a wonderful art facilitator, structured, encouraging, affirming, and sensitive to the wide range of children and their needs. Big on play!… It was wonderful to introduce my 2yo toddler son to a part of Galway’s art and cultural history and to have an introduction to print-making (much easier than I thought). I learned so much about the Galway shawl, Claddagh cloak, cashmere, connections with India, colonial law. The venue was great. I haven’t been on the top floor of the museum in years! It was my first time bringing my son to the museum – the workshop was the reason to cross the threshold.
Galway City Museum would like to thank Creative Ireland, whose funding made the programme possible, as well as Galway City Council, Bryony Hussey, Galway City Partnership and St Patrick’s NS. A special thanks also to all the children, parents, guardians and teachers who participated so enthusiastically and helped make the programme such a success.
Learn more about the Galway Shawl.
All photos ©Anita Murphy 2026.
