Kathleen’s loom ‘put back to work’ to celebrate her 90th birthday

While celebrations were muted due to coronavirus restrictions, the milestone was commemorated with a special and poignant nod to something that has quite literally woven its way through Kathleen’s life - her loom.

Kathleen’s son Johnny, of Donegal Spinning Wheels fame, decided to put his mother’s old loom - which had been in the attic for the best part of 10 years - back to work.

The gesture represented a beautiful celebration of life, love and family history, as Kathleen’s late husband was also known for making spinning wheels, as was his father before him.

The family’s name is synonymous with the craft across Inishowen, Donegal, the country and even internationally.

Kathleen’s son Johnny, who teaches weaving classes at the Eden Centre in Derry - which is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland -and travels around schools passing the craft on to younger generations, told how his mother, who has nine children, was very happy to be able to work her loom again.

He also revealed that the loom itself is also quite famous having appeared in the film The Shine of Rainbows, which was filmed in Inishowen in 2009. In fact, the last person to use the loom up until last week was Hollywood actress Connie Nielson, who played Maire in the movie.

Kathleen, who was born in Buncrana and lives in Bridge Street, Carndonagh, was able to celebrate her birthday by spending some time working the loom, which she had done many times before through the years.

While the restrictions may have put some plans for Kathleen’s birthday on hold, there are plans to continue the celebrations later in the year with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and family.