The Maharees Onion Basket Revival celebrates the restoration of a unique piece of local farming heritage. Once a familiar sight in the fields and sheds of Castlegregory and the Maharees, these handcrafted willow baskets were traditionally used to harvest onions and potatoes before disappearing with the introduction of modern plastic containers

 

Funded through the Heritage Council's Community Heritage Grant Scheme, the project brought together local knowledge, archival research and traditional basket-making expertise to recreate the long-lost onion basket. Working from historic photographs and the memories of community elders, master basket maker Diane Southey developed a faithful replica before sharing the skills of willow weaving with local participants through hands-on workshops.

More than the revival of a practical object, the project has rekindled stories, memories and connections to the area's rich agricultural past. By preserving both the craft and the knowledge behind these iconic baskets, the Maharees Onion Basket Revival Project ensures that an important part of the community's cultural heritage can be passed on to future generations while inspiring a renewed appreciation for traditional, sustainable skills.