Project explores the intertwined histories of Kilkenny industries

Tracing a journey from raw animal hide to finished footwear, the From Hide to Heel project brings together local histories of farming, tanning, and shoemaking, connecting Kilkenny City, county and region through a collaborative and participatory artistic process.  

The project is rooted in two historically linked sites in Kilkenny city: Padmore & Barnes, ‘The Boot Factory’ on Wolfe Tone Street and the former neighbouring Cattle Mart on Barrack Street.

READ MORE: The history of Padmore & Barnes

Together, these sites anchor a shared story of labour, industrial production, and skilled handcraft, revealing how global systems of trade, materials, and movement shape local lives.

Join Professor Mary E. Daly for her presentation ‘Irish women's working lives in town and country from the 1930s’ on April 11 at the Parade Tower from 2pm to 4pm and Emma Gilleece for her presentation ‘Form, Function and Footwear: State Ambition and the Industrial Modernism of Kilkenny’ on April 25 at Padmore and Barnes from 2pm to 4pm, to hear their incisive responses to artist Pauline O’Connell’s project From Hide to Heel, a social practice public art film project that explores and celebrates the intertwined industrial, agricultural, and craft histories through the story of a single, everyday object – the shoe.  

From Hide to Heel invites audiences to reflect on the relationship between past and present, labour and land, people and place. The project aims to deepen public understanding of Kilkenny’s living heritage while highlighting the importance of safeguarding social history, cultural and environmental knowledge. 

'From Hide to Heel' creates space for shared storytelling. Through its public engagement, the project encourages audiences to participate by contributing personal stories, shared memories, and family experiences, helping to build a collective dialogue around the work.  

'From Hide to Heel' is a two-year social practice film project exploring the intertwined histories of Kilkenny’s agricultural (leather) and industrial (shoemaking) sectors. It is a Public Arts project commissioned by Kilkenny County Council for their 2024 – 2027 programme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.