The Willow Woman

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The Willow Woman

Founder of the original Irish Natural Willow Charcoal for Artists Traditional, durable willow baskets hand crafted in Leitrim Village.

Helena Golden – willow weaver & basketmaker sharing the craft of basketmaking with people of all ages & abilities through inclusive workshops inspired by Irish heritage, nature & community.

08/09/2026

Cosy evenings. Autumn hobbies. Get creative with charcoal. 🍂✏️
Handmade willow artist charcoal, made from the cut-offs of my basket making — because good willow shouldn’t go to waste. 🤎

20/08/2026

Last few days of The Green Loy exhibition at The Dock 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ .
It brings together the best of local folk art and tradition and it's well worth a visit if you are in Carrick on Shannon up to 22nd August.

10/08/2026

Strokestown Park🧺💚

Following the wonderful Hands That Remember basketmaking project at Strokestown Park, we had the pleasure of returning today to visit the house and walled gardens.
During the project, we weaved the type of potato skibs that were common in Roscommon — a poignant project of huge cultural significance, in the home of the National Famine Museum 🥔🥔
It was lovely to return today and tour the house and gardens. An afternoon well spent.

04/08/2026

A Full Circle Moment 🧺🇮🇪💚

I was honoured that one of my handmade willow baskets was chosen to be presented to President Catherine Connolly during her recent visit to Breffni Family Resource Centre.

Breffni has been an important part of my journey, having spent ten years working there as manager prior to setting up my own Basketmaking business.

Although my role has changed, my connection with community has continued. I have had the privilege of returning to Breffni regularly to share the craft of Basketmaking with community groups and exploring how working with willow can support creativity, connection and wellbeing.

To see one of my baskets included in such a special occasion is a lovely reminder of how the places and people that shape us remain part of our story throughout the different chapters of life 🧺💚

Photos courtesy of Breffni FRC.

26/07/2026

More adventures with 🇪🇸💚🇫🇷💚🇮🇪 Plunkett Cassidy

From the Basque Country to Brittany, we survived 3000km and 42°C 🌎☀️ Memories were certainly made😂😅

01/07/2026

A very special moment from the One Million Stars project ✨⭐✨⭐

I was honoured to contribute to this community arts project by creating these willow stars, which were presented to the Uachtarán na hÉireann / President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and Norma Foley - TD
The real achievement belongs to the women, community groups and organisers whose creativity, commitment and collaboration make the One Million Stars project such a powerful symbol of hope, solidarity and awareness around domestic abuse and all forms of violence.

It is very special to see the traditional craft of willow weaving play a small part in a project that brings communities together and carries such an important message.
Thank you to Tubbercurry Frc and Sligo LEADER Partnership Company Ltd for supporting this community project. ⭐
Do you think the star is hanging in Áras an Uachtaráin???😊😊

26/06/2026

When people ask where I got my craft skills from... this is my answer. ❤️

Last week we celebrated the opening of The Green Loy at Carrick on Shannon

This exhibition celebrates local folk art, creativity and the traditions that have been quietly passed from one generation to the next.

It was a proud day for our family. Mam (Eileen/Mrs. Golden/ Granny), now 92, has two pieces on display—an embroidered picture she stitched in November 1949 and her beautifully embroidered linen tablecloth. My Leitrim potato teeming basket is also part of the exhibition.

One of the highlights is the exhibition film, where Vincent Woods visits Mam at home for a chat about her embroidery and the stories behind her work.

If you're in Leitrim this summer, do visit The Green Loy. It's a beautiful celebration of the creativity, craftsmanship and heritage that have always been part of our communities.

❤️

Address

Leitrim

Website

https://linktr.ee/helenagolden

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