Discover lace in Ireland – online

Discover Lace in Ireland is a digital collection of resources created by Friends of Lace Limerick and the South Armagh Lace Collective, with the support of The Guild of Irish Lacemakers.
The online event has the purpose of introducing the digital publication to the public at large, as well as the other digital resources available, and presenting our ambitious plans for August Craft Month 2025.
This project is funded by Creative Ireland’s Creative Communities on a Shared Island Scheme, and Limerick City and County Council through Creative Ireland Limerick.

Talk with Veronica Stuart on Historical Youghal Lace

Join us at Nano Nagle Place for an enchanting talk on Youghal Lace with the esteemed Veronica Stuart. Delve into the intricate artistry and rich history of Youghal Lace, as Veronica shares captivating stories and insights into this cherished Irish craft. Discover the legacy of craftsmanship and creativity that defines Youghal Lace, and gain a deeper appreciation for its cultural significance. Seize this fantastic chance to discover the exquisite artistry and elegance of Youghal Lace at Nano Nagle Place.

Generously funded by the Heritage Council and Cork City Council.

📍Lecture Space, Nano Nagle Place
🎟️ Booking Essential Click here to access our booking portal .

 

 

Crafternoon Tea with Headford Lace Project

Join Headford Lace Project for a unique opportunity to get together with other craftmakers and craftgroups in the area.

Shared group craft activities are known to boost mental health and wellbeing. We will all benefit by sharing our skill sets, stories and examples of our work. While spending time together we will strengthen our connections in a relaxed setting.

Headford Lace Project will also exhibit a diverse range of handmade lace items from our archive during the event.

Bring your current textile project to work on or simply join us for refreshments, relax and enjoy!

This event is part-funded by Design & Crafts Council Ireland for August Craft Month 2024.

 

 

 

Suitable For: Families

Accessibility Information: Wheelchair accessible, WC availaable, Parking available. Refreshments available.

Lace making demonstrations at Arthur Cottage 

Come along to Arthur Cottage for a free lace making demonstration as part of August Craft Month 2024.

4 miles from Ballymena town, situated in the heart of County Antrim. Only a short walk from the village of Cullybackey, it is the ancestral home of Chester Alan Arthur, the 21st President of the United States of America.

Enter this carefully restored cottage and be transported to a bygone era and see how the Arthur family lived in the late 18th Century. Follow the story of the Arthur family and trace the link from a rural village in Northern Ireland to the American Presidency.

Arthur Cottage provides an educational experience for all ages. Baking demonstrations over the open turf fire provide visitors with an unique experience where they can enjoy making and tasting the soda bread and pancakes.

An apple orchard is planted in the garden and watched over by a lady make of willow.  The Cottage allows visitors to escape from busy life and gives the opportunity to explore how things used to be and appreciate the simple things in life.

No booking is necessary and further event information can be found on the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Facebook page and general property information on the links above.

Linked by a thread exhibition

Linked by a Thread is a Clones lace exhibition at the Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre .

The Linked by a Thread exhibition weaves the tale of this unique form of crochet lace, from its humble beginnings as a social enterprise in the post Famine period of the 1850’s, to its revival by dedicated locals in the 1980’s.

This is the only museum dedicated entirely to the crochet lace, and the collection holds stunning antique pieces ranging from the Victorian era, right through to more modern designs such as spectacular wedding dresses.

The exhibition very much emphasises the importance of women and their contribution to society in days gone by. It showcases their skills and imagination and allows us a glimpse into the past.

Visitors can immerse themselves in a short film which portrays the destitution of the region following the famine, before embarking on their own journey of discovery through the timeline of Clones Lace and its dedicated makers.

Funded under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme through the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Monaghan County Council and Clones Development Society.

The Lace Museum, Restaurant and Craft shop is situated in Clones at the heart of the Drumlin countryside in County Monaghan. Travel time of just over 90 minutes from Dublin, Belfast or Galway.

Based in a recently refurbished former canal storehouse built in the late 1800’s. This limestone cut building is quaint yet welcoming and retains many of its original features. Perfect for a stop-off while deciding on where next to explore in Ireland’s Ancient East.

Open Tuesday to Saturday.

Lacemaking demonstrations on demand

Lacemaking demonstrations are available throughout the month of August on demand at the Kenmare Lace and Design Centre.

The Kenmare Lace and Design Centre can be found upstairs over the Tourist Information Centre & Heritage Centre. It is accessed by the door to the left of the Tourist Information Centre.

The Kenmare Lace and Design Centre is a treasure trove of many things. It is not just a museum or a craft shop. It is a centre for the promotion of Kenmare and many other Irish laces. It is a meeting place for lace makers from all corners of the world. When lace is being demonstrated there are no language barriers. The art and craft of lacemaking is its own form of communication. Here Kenmare Lace and other laces are displayed, demonstrated and sold. An added bonus is the extensive array of lacemaking materials and general haberdashery available at the centre.

Demonstrations can be conducted on demand where demonstrators are available. Group demonstrations must be pre-arranged.

Monday to Friday 10.30 am to 1.00pm.

Celebrate August Craft Month with Borris Lacemakers

Borris Lacemakers will hold a lace display and demonstration at the Arboretum Home and Garden Centre, Leighlinbridge 12 – 4pm.

Come along and see beautiful samples of Borris Lace, meet the Lacemakers and maybe try your hand at a stitch!

Advanced booking is required: email borrislacemakers@gmail.com for this free event

 

This event is part-funded by Design & Crafts Council Ireland for August Craft Month 2024.

 

 

 

 

The history of Irish Lace

 


Award winning expert Veronica Stuart gives a talk on the craft of Irish lace-making. It will be accompanied by a display in the City Library, on the day, of beautiful samples of Irish lace.


Further Information

Cork City Libraries


Bring Out Your Lace 2024

Does your family have any piece of lace hidden away in a drawer? Maybe a family heirloom, or something you have acquired at some point that you wonder about.

Friends of Lace Limerick in collaboration with People’s Museum Limerick are organising a special event on Saturday, 24 August 2024, where you can bring in your own items of lace to be assessed, catalogued and photographed. The group will share useful advice about lace preservation and storage.

In 2015, Limerick Museum and Archives ran a similar event and created a beautiful catalogue. Friends of Lace ran similar events in 2018 and in 2023, in collaboration with Limerick Museum.

Friends of Lace will also organise a pop-up exhibition with pieces from its members’ personal collections.

Friends of Lace are a Limerick-based group of lace makers formed in 2017 with the mission to bring Limerick lace back to public attention by contributing to the preservation, documentation and research on existing artefacts in museums and private collections, creating teaching resources and supporting novel interpretations and uses of Limerick lace. The group are working closely with Limerick Museum and other cultural organisations in Limerick to enhance the visibility of lace making as a traditional craft with great potential.

The event is free to attend and booking is not required.

Whether it’s in the attic or a family heirloom, bring it along for our experts!

 

This event is part-funded by Design & Crafts Council Ireland for August Craft Month 2024.