Bio
Donal Ryan who is Limerick born has lived across the border in County Tipperary all his life. Worked with wood from an early age. Started his own business in 2001 in the manufacturing of wooden gates,garden sheds and doors. Production was busy in the early years,however the recession was around the corner.
At the same time he was keen to explore his woodworking ability. In 2006 he bought his first lathe a Record Power CL3 which he still uses today. His passion soon developed after the first few pieces. The orders in his manufacturing business began to dry up and a change had to be made. He really enjoyed woodturning and was spending more and more time turning.
In 2011,he took the plunge and became professional. The same year he joined his club Limerick and District Chapter and the Irish Woodturners Guild. He has gained valuable knowledge and experience from them. Attending woodturning demostrations has been vital. Has learned a lot from master woodturners.
Donal has won many awards for his work and has demonstrated at local and national level.
Awards and Merits.
2024
Thin Ash Bowl part of the Turning Turns 40 exhibition in the Hunt Museum and other galleries around the country
2022
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1st, 2nd and 3rd in the professional section of the National Seminar of the Irish Woodturners Guild in Monaghan
2019
1st and 2nd in the professional section of the national seminar of the Irish Woodturners Guild in Limerick.
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2018
2nd place in the Professional Competition in the 2018 National Woodturners Guild Awards
Demonstrator at the 2018 National Seminar of the Irish Woodturners Guild in Limerick
2017
3rd place in the Professional Competition in the 2017 National Woodturners Guild Awards
Article on issue 309 of the Woodturning magazine
2016
2nd place & 3rd place in Professional Competition at the 2016 National Irish Woodturners Guild Awards.
Demonstrator at the 25th anniversary Limerick Seminar.
Article on issue 297 of the Woodturning magazine.
2015
1st place in Professional Competition at the 2015 National Irish Woodturners Guild Awards.
One of the main Demonstrators at the 2015 Irish National Seminar.
Merit at Cork Seminar
2014
1st and 3rd at the Limerick Seminar.
Demonstrator at Limerick Seminar
2013
Woodturner of the year at Limerick and District Chapter.
4th place at Cork Seminar.
Final round of judging at RDS craft awards.
3rd place in the spindle competition at 2013 National Irish Woodturners Guild Awards.