Johnny Shiels Handmade Spinning Wheels

The sound of the spinning wheel has been part of the music of rural Ireland. And it's a sound that has been an important part of life for the Shiels family in Carndonagh through the years.

Johnny Shiels is a third-generation spinning wheel maker. His grandfather Johnny was making spinning wheels back in the 1940s, using timber washed ashore on the beaches around his native Inishowen.

Like his grandfather and father, Johnny makes Dutch-style wheels in the workshop in Bridge Street in Carndonagh, not far from Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head. These Dutch wheels were introduced to Ireland in the 18th century and used for spinning flax.

Each wheel is hand-crafted by Johnny "from start to finish". It is a fully-functional spinning wheel, and also a beautiful piece of craftmanship. The work of the Shiels' family is widely-known, and has been featured in the book "Ireland's Traditional Crafts". Johnny now hopes to encourage his own sons to continue the family tradition.

Take a look at Johnny's impressive range of products in the Photo Album. The online shop is now in operation and purchases can be made with Paypal. If the online shop is unsuitable, contact johnny@spinningwheels.ie or call
+353 (0)74 93 74769 or +353 (0)86 1618715. Johnny will be happy to accommodate your specific requirements.

Take a look at Johnny assembling a spinning wheel out of the box at Cafe Donagh, May 2010.