Seeking stories through the fabric and futures of an Irish linen industry’s past.

The Roe Valley Linen Project was borne out of a folklorist-archaeologist’s dissertation research. Kate Brock (they/them) explores the past, present, and future of Northern Ireland through the labor performed in Roe Valley through the production of linen. Their work links the contemporary market town of Limavady to Roe Valley Country Park and its remaining built environment, cataloguing community history along the River Roe.

Brock is looking for local members of the townland who would like to get involved in the project and folks working in museums, fiber initiatives, art practices, nonprofits, and educational spaces across both Northern Ireland and the Republic. The hope is that from this project a new and healthy relationship might develop between the people, the material, and the landscape to encourage and support sustainable labor and agriculture in the island’s future.