Robert O’Connor’s workshop in Gorey, County Wexford is the kind of place that reminds you what craft actually means. He’s a two-time winner of the prestigious RDS National Craft Competition, has appeared on RTÉ Nationwide, and is a member of both the Irish Woodturners Guild and the Crafts Council of Ireland. But the more interesting thing is what happens when you hold one of his pieces — there’s a weight and a warmth to hand-turned Irish timber that no imported giftware can replicate.
The Work
Robert began his career with a traditional apprenticeship in timber, spending years creating bespoke kitchens and interiors before narrowing his focus to woodturning. The Woodturning Studio now produces bowls, chopping boards, boxes, flutes, whistles, and a range of handcrafted gifts — all made from carefully selected local Irish timber. Each piece is one of a kind. There’s no batch production, no shortcuts. The studio is located just off the M11 in Gorey, about an hour from Dublin and easily accessible from across the south east.
Learning the Craft
One of the things that sets the Woodturning Studio apart is the courses Robert runs for all ability levels, from complete beginners to those looking to develop serious skill. Each student makes a project and takes it home — which makes for a memorable afternoon and a considerably more interesting souvenir than anything you’d find in a gift shop. The courses are popular across age groups and have become one of those Wexford experiences that’s genuinely worth putting in the diary.
There’s a weight and warmth to hand-turned Irish timber that no imported giftware can replicate.
The Woodturning Studio is in Gorey, Co. Wexford, 3 minutes off the M11. Shop online and book courses at robertoconnorwoodworking.ie.
