Demo Speakers

Marianne established The Revamp Tramp in 2015.  With a diploma in Interior Design, a BA hon Degree in Visual Art and a passion about the environment Marianne was excellently placed to bring life and new purpose to unloved and unwanted pieces of furniture.  She focuses on bringing a high standard finish and keeping up to date with interior design trends.  She loves experimenting with colours and produces items that are original and unusual.

Marianne runs workshops throughout the country passing on her expertise and passion.  She also works on commissions for clients.

Marianne is passionate about bringing old furniture back to life using Irish brands in her work.

Gerard has been working at the Rediscovery Centre since 2010.  A cabinetmaker by trade, before 2010 he had his own furniture restoration business, which he ran for 29 years.  Gerard’s path in life was going to be very different.  He was training to be a dairy farmer at agricultural college when he really fell in love with woodwork.  As part of his course there was a two hour per week woodwork class introduced so that the students could build sheds on the farm.   Woodwork became Gerard’s passion.

As part of his role at Rediscovery Centre, Gerard works with people from their late teens through to their late 50s and teaches evening classes to the public.  From Gerard you can learn everything about furniture restoration and repurposing from repair to upcycling and upholstery.  Teaching and learning at Rediscovery Centre is all hands on.  All the work is also done by hand rather than using big machinery.  Items worked on in Rediscovery Centre are also all offered for sale.

Gerard is also a keen runner having taken it up in 2013 at the age of 55.  Since taking it up he has done seven marathons. Gerard also loves fishing and playing the fiddle.