Discover the Possibilities and Joy of Working with Wood

Whether you want to create something new, repair something old, give tired furniture a new lease of life, or transform unwanted timber into something useful and beautiful, Tom Roche’s Wild Woodwork Classes are a great place to start.

These practical, hands-on workshops are designed to give people of all ages - from 9 to 99 the basic woodworking skills, confidence and encouragement to turn their ideas into reality. You don’t need previous woodworking experience — just curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

MAKE - REPAIR - UPCYCLE - REPURPOSE

At the heart of the project is a simple idea: wood is too valuable to waste. By learning how to MAKE, REPAIR, REPURPOSE and UPCYCLE, participants discover that working with wood is not only creative and rewarding, but also an important way of extending the life of the things we already have.

Tom’s Wild Woodwork Classes bring together Head, Heart and Hands — learning practical skills, developing creativity and experiencing the satisfaction that comes from making and restoring something yourself.

There is something for every generation at Tom’s Wild Woodwork Classes.

MAKE • REPAIR • REPURPOSE • UPCYCLE

Book your place today — you’ll be glad you did.

The Value of Repairing

Give It Another Chance: The Value of Repairing Wooden Furniture.

When a wooden chair becomes loose, a table gets scratched or a drawer stops working properly, our first reaction should not be to throw it away.

Our first question should be: Can it be repaired? MORE...

The importance of Upcycling

Every year, perfectly usable wooden furniture is discarded simply because it is old, damaged or no longer fashionable. But what if, instead of seeing unwanted furniture as waste, we saw it as an opportunity?

Our first question should be: Can it be upcycled? MORE...

The Value of Repurposing

Do you have a well-made item of furniture that you like but find it no longer serves your purpose? Before throwing an old wooden chair, table, cabinet or chest of drawers away, ask one simple question:

Our first question should be:Could this be repurposed? MORE...

All the above is fulfilling the spirit of the EU's 'Right To Repair' Directive

PROJECTS PLANNED FOR 2027

Let's get Offaly making!

Commencing in January 2027, Tom's Wild Wood Work Classes will introduce potential learners to the basic woodworking skills needed to make Swift boxes for Ireland's diminishing Swift colonies.

If you would like to take part please book your place as soon as possible at: info(at)tomroche.ie and Let's RECONNECT with NATURE

Sponsor Needed for Children's Competition

Casper Elder’s Tree Friends Project Competition

Casper Elder’s Tree Friends Project invites children from across County Offaly to use their imagination and creativity to help protect one of our most precious resources — wood.

Trees provide us with timber for our homes, fuel for heating and cooking, furniture, musical instruments like guitars, sporting equipment such as hurleys, toys, books, paper and countless everyday products. But these valuable natural resources should never be taken for granted.

Through this competition, children are encouraged to explore simple and creative ways to conserve timber and wood-based products by repairing, reusing, repurposing, upcycling and recycling rather than throwing them away.

We want Offaly’s young people to become Tree Friends — to think about where wood comes from, how we use it, and what each of us can do to make sure this wonderful renewable resource is used wisely for generations to come.

Think creatively. Waste less. Reuse more. Be a Tree Friend!