A young Irish artisan is weaving a global success story from the heart of County Mayo, proving that ancient traditions have a vibrant place in the modern world. Tom Delaney, a 31-year-old basketmaker, runs the Ould Crafty business from his small home, selling his handmade willow creations across the English-speaking world and as far as China.
From Archaeology to Ancient Weaving
Delaney, a former archaeologist, discovered his passion for weaving at the age of 26. His professional background gave him a unique appreciation for the craft's deep roots. He cites evidence of weaving techniques from Ireland's Iron Age and even the Mesolithic era, thousands of years earlier, found on sites he once worked on.
"Basketmaking was my first love," Delaney says. He felt a personal connection through family lore, as his grandfather and great-grandfather were also makers. "My dad kept it alive just by talking about it – he never shut up about it. That's how I got the interest originally." He honed his skills through books, YouTube, and learning from other Irish weavers like Ciaran Hogan in Connemara.
A Craft for Conversation and Global Festivals
From his cosy base near Mayo Abbey, Delaney weaves a variety of functional and decorative items. His portfolio includes baskets for fuel, eggs, and bread, alongside bird feeders, St Brigid's Crosses, and ornate skibs. He champions utility, telling customers a basket should last 20 years, but acknowledges many treat them as art pieces. "They just buy my basket and then they put it up on a shelf... it's a great honour, but isn't that gas that it's just like a conversation starter," he remarks.
His ambition and willingness to say 'yes' have propelled the craft into unexpected arenas. Building willow boats led to an invitation to the Glastonbury Festival in 2025, followed by appearances at Electric Picnic and All Together Now. "When I started gathering rods on the roadside in Mayo, the last place I thought I'd end up was a music festival," he admits. This niche has brought a sense of "great responsibility" to preserve and accurately represent the craft's history.
Growing Pains and Future Ambitions
The business's success is not without its domestic challenges. The noisy process of weaving, with metres-long willow rods whipping in a spiral, fills a small side room in his bungalow. Storage is a constant issue, with every spare space filled after a harvest, leaving only narrow paths to navigate. "I'm boxed into the corner of the room," Delaney says, identifying a need for more space as a key goal for 2026 to "go up a level in life and in business."
His ambitions, however, are boundless. After a recent trip to the UK to learn chair-making, he aims to master square baskets and has his sights set on larger structures. "A house is next – and I have the willow," he declares confidently. Alongside product development, he runs weaving courses and works with community groups like men's sheds and Alzheimer's organisations, valuing the "living memory" and stories shared in these sessions.
Reflecting on an exceptional 2025, Tom Delaney is committed to his dual role as craftsman and historian, ensuring the ancient rattle of willow rods continues to tell a story for generations to come.
