Flax once defined Northern Ireland through its thriving linen industry. Changing consumer habits in the mid-20th century caused its steep decline. Now, the plant is returning as a tool to restore soil health and decarbonise manufacturing. It may also offer smaller farms a chance to diversify as demand grows for sustainable fibres.
Farmers rediscover an old crop
Helen Keys and her husband, sculptor Charlie Mallon, started growing flax when they couldn’t source Irish linen bags for Charlie’s artwork. The crop had once been grown on Charlie’s family farm in County Tyrone. Helen quickly realised the plant’s wide potential. “There is a real resurgence and interest in natural fibres because we must find alternatives to carbon fibre and fibreglass,” she said. “Natural fibres have a big role to play in decarbonising industry.”
Flax as a rotation crop
Fibre crops such as flax and hemp absorb high levels of nutrients and need little fertiliser. Farmers can alternate them with arables like vegetables. Professor Mark Emmerson of Queen’s University Belfast believes this rotation could ease the nutrient burden on land and help tackle the blue-green algae problem in Lough Neagh. “I would see flax production and veg production as part of a just transition that enables farmers to look at their options,” he said. He explained that only appropriate plots should be used, but even a hectare or two could make a difference.
Opportunities for small farms
Emmerson doubts the crop will solve challenges for large dairy farms. But Northern Ireland has 26,000 farms, and 78% of them are classed as very small. Many of those farms have less than one person working full time. Farmers often rely on second jobs to keep their land. “An acre of flax might enable those farmers to stay on farm and make it pay for itself,” Emmerson said.
Reviving traditions through meitheal
At the end of August, Helen and Charlie hosted a community gathering, or meitheal, on their farm near Cookstown. Volunteers from across Ireland came to help with the flax harvest. Kathy Kirwan, who calls herself a “flax nut,” travelled from Clonakilty in County Cork to join. She has grown passionate about the plant’s circular nature. “Nothing goes to waste, absolutely nothing,” she said. “Half of the plant becomes shives, used for composite. We even made paper, so no part goes unused. It fits perfectly with protecting nature, and it needs no pesticides or herbicides.”
A growing movement in regenerative fashion
Kirwan has worked with Malú Colorín from Fibreshed Ireland, part of a global movement promoting regenerative fashion with locally grown fibres. “Linen is the cream of the crop of flax,” Kirwan explained. “But you can also create rope, composites, oil, and wax from the plant’s by-products.” Crafter Cathy Kane from North Cork shares that enthusiasm. She and her husband are building a self-sufficient homestead in Sliabh Luachra, which means rushy mountain in Irish. “The area is very agricultural and suited to flax,” she said. “I include flax in my crop rotation with vegetables, and because I enjoy working with fibre, it’s perfect.”
Signs of a tipping point
For Gawain Morrison, founder of the Belfast climate initiative Brink! and organiser of the Flax Meitheal weekend, the energy around the plant is clear. “When you see robotics engineers, composites experts, and farmers all working together, you know a tipping point is coming,” he said. “Everybody is pointing in the same direction.”
