Avoca Handweavers, Stores and Cafés

Avoca is an Irish family-run business that spans one of the world's oldest surviving manufacturing companies and Ireland's most exciting stores and food markets.

We photographed the handweavers, stores and cafes back in 2006 to help promote the stores and cafés around Dublin and Wicklow.

Set in the grounds of the old Jameson (of whiskey fame) estate, surrounded by ancient trees and rolling gardens, the Avoca store at Kilmacanogue is simply Ireland's best retail & food experience.

Many of the throws, rugs and scarves you'll find at Avoca stores are woven at the Avoca Mill. Initially it took the raw wool from the sheep of the surrounding hills and valleys and through a process of carding, spinning, dyeing and weaving transformed it into clothing and blankets for barter and sale.