James Shiel and his son Charlie, from Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, are 2nd and 3rd generation spinning wheel makers. They are the last individuals to commercially make the Dutch or low spinning wheel in Ireland, first introduced from Holland in the 1630’s for spinning flax, and later used for wool spinning. This film shows the making of a traditional spinning wheel, the types of timber used, and the woodturning techniques employed. We visit Mrs. Mary Towe, one of the last traditional hand-spinners who has spun wool for her family’s needs all her life. Her treadle-wheel has been handed down through five generations and is at least 270 years old. Made in 1991.