Watch: Shaped by wood, moved by music: Clonmany woodturner and musician Brian Doyle 

Brian Doyle of Inishowen Woodturning isn’t just crafting bowls and unique wooden creations – he’s preserving the natural beauty of the peninsula, one piece at a time. Originally from Dublin, Brian’s heart has long been anchored in the rugged landscapes of Inishowen, where he now makes his permanent home – and creative career – in Minaduff, Clonmany.

A lifelong connection to Inishowen

“I’m from Dublin, but my heart’s always been here in Inishowen since I was a teenager”, Brian reflects. 

His deep ties to the peninsula began through music and family. “My wife’s family is from Clonmany, and her brother Dermot introduced me to woodturning back in the 1980s.”

Though his early dream was to make fiddles, life took him on a different path – one that eventually circled back to wood and music. 

“Leaving school back in the 80s, my dream was to make fiddles. While that particular path didn’t open up for me, fortunately playing the fiddle and working with wood has now found a central place in my life – it just took a mere 40 years to get here!”, he laughs. 

Music, wood, and a change of path

Brian’s love for traditional Irish music played a pivotal role in shaping his life. 

“I was introduced to traditional music and my wife Grace through Patsy Toland, an Inishowen man who taught me in Lucan. From that point on, Inishowen, music and singing, the Tolands, and Grace have played – and continue to play – key roles in my life.”

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For years now, Brian has immersed himself in the Irish music scene, working as the field recording officer at the IrishTraditional Music Archive. But the pandemic brought an unexpected shift. 

“The lockdown changed everything,” he says. “We had the chance to move up here permanently, and that gave me the time and space to finally pursue my passion for woodturning. It’s something I’d always dreamed of, but I never had the chance to make it my main focus.”

Letting the wood speak

From his studio in Meentagh Glen, Brian handcrafts each piece with deep respect for the material. 

“My approach is simple – I let the wood speak for itself. Every tree has a unique character, and I want each bowl or form I make to celebrate that natural beauty. There’s no need for complicated designs – the wood’s grain and texture are stunning on their own.”

Sourcing timber exclusively from Ireland – often from Inishowen itself – Brian ensures his work remains rooted in the local landscape. 

“It’s important to me that my materials have a connection to this land. Using local wood means each piece isn’t just art; it’s part of Inishowen itself.”

From fallen trees to family heirlooms

For Brian, woodturning is more than a craft – it’s a way of giving new life to fallen trees. 

“I really enjoy every part of the process, finding wood, preparing and drying it, and of course seeing what finally emerges when it turns on the lathe. While it can be sad to see trees fall or cut down, I take great pleasure in seeing the wood take on another life as a turned bowl, creating a family heirloom for another generation to enjoy.”

Brian also sees his role as a facilitator of nature’s beauty.

 “Each tree is different, tells its own story, and I believe my role is to simply allow the wood to reveal this natural beauty.”

The rhythm of wood and music

As an accomplished traditional Irish musician – fiddle player and singer – Brian finds parallels between his two passions. 

“Woodturning feels a lot like music”, he reflects. “There’s rhythm, patience, and flow involved. When I’m working with a piece of wood, I’m creating something that has its own voice, just like a song.”

Sharing his craft with the world

Brian’s work is available on www.irishhands.com – a new platform dedicated to supporting and promoting artists and creative makers from Inishowen and the north-west. Through workshops and demonstrations, he also brings his craft to a wider audience. “It means the world to me to know that people appreciate what I do” he says. “I put a lot of care into each piece, and it’s so rewarding when someone connects with it.”

A legacy of beauty and function

Brian Doyle remains committed to sustainability and celebrating ancient craft making traditions and the spirit of Inishowen. 

Brian Doyle at the Inishowen International Folk Song & Ballad Seminar Photo: Colm Keating

“I want to make pieces that are both functional and beautiful, something people can enjoy every day. It’s about celebrating what’s around us, preserving the natural beauty of this area in a way that people can hold onto and treasure.”

In the end, Brian isn’t just turning wood – he’s transforming Inishowen’s natural beauty into lasting keepsakes, honouring the land and the traditions that inspire him daily.