Bear Essentials

If you love teddy bears (and who doesn’t?) this charming workshop making hand-crafted mohair bears is a must.

The workshop is owned and run by Anke Morgenroth, whose collection of bears are sought after all over the world.

They are very beautifully made, with their own individual characters. No two bears are the same, and while they make wonderful gifts for children they are especially sought after by adult collectors.

There are also bears here from other manufacturers, including Steiff, Gund and Russ bears.

Regular classes and workshops are held, where children and adults can learn to make their own bears, and occasional talks about teddy bear history and other teddy and wild bear related subjects.

The teddy bear’s hospital takes patients from all over the world, and while many close to the end when they arrive there is a very high recovery rate and most leave Cavan restored to perfect condition.

It’s a lovely place to visit and watching the painstaking creation of the bears is absolutely fascinating.

Buying Bears

You can buy bears from their website, but it is really much more fun to go along, pick some bears up for a cuddle and see which one chooses you! These individually made bears are likely to be much loved and handed down through the generations or become valuable collectors items. Prices start from around €20, with Anke’s Mohair Bears starting at around €120 – very good value for bears that will last more than a lifetime.

Visiting Bear Essentials

The workshop is open every day, but may be closed if the owners are away – call ahead to check. It is located in quiet countryside approximately equidistant from Cavan, Clones, Enniskillen and Carrick-on-Shannon.

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