About the Guild

November 14th, 2009

Founded in 1987 to assist practicing Lacemakers, especially those making the traditional Irish Laces. To-day the Guild encompasses all the laces known in Ireland and many from abroad.

The Guild has three Lacedays and three Workshop days annually in Dublin and many one off outings and courses

The atmosphere is friendly and informal while the standard of teaching is very high

Members receive three journals annually containing items of interest to Lacemakers, patterns for various lace forms and details of classes and workshops

Overseas Members are very welcome and local members are delighted to meet them when they visit Ireland and share their interest in Lace

Why not come and join us and start your own family heirloom.

January Lace Day Cancelled

January 13th, 2010

Due to the weather, January lace day is cancelled.
We will meet in February as planned and have the charity day then.

Photos from November 2009 workshop

November 24th, 2009

We had another successful workshop on Saturday 21th November 2009.
Despite the bad weather, many ladies came for the day and all enjoyed a delightful day.

Bobbin Lace class with Ann
Bobbin Lace1

Bobbin Lace2

Mountmellick class with Maree
Mountmellick

Irish Crochet class with Kathie
Irish Crochet1

Irish Crochet2

Borris Lace class with Ena
Borris Lace

Borris Lace

And the Social table
Social Table1

Social Table2

Special Thanks to Patsy who baked and brought Cattern Cakes. There is no photo of cakes because it was so o o o good and disappeared too quickly to take a photo.
Recipe can be found in Autumn 2009 Irish Lace Journal.

Workshop – Saturday 21rd November 2009

November 14th, 2009

Classes 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

The High School, Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6

Bobbin Lace Teacher Ann Keller
Borris Lace Teacher Ena Atkinson
Irish Crochet Teacher Kathie Earle
Mount Mellick Teacher Maree Maher
  Cost – €15 per Class
Social Table €8 per person
Please contact Hon. Sec. Imelda Kellerher to book the class by Fax or Phone if it is easier.
Tel: 450 8233 Mobile 087-2211618 FAX 460 3453
Texting is acceptable but don’t forget to sign your name

Useful Links

November 14th, 2009

IOLI – International Old Lacers
Australian Lace Guild
Lacefairy
Poole Bobbin Lace Circle
Oidfa

Ann Margaret Keller
Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland

Lace Museums

November 14th, 2009

Kenmare Lace & Design Centre
The Heritage Centre
Kenmare Co. Kerry
email: lacekenmare@eircom.net
www.neidin.net

The Lace Gallery
Carrigslaney, Kilbride
Co. Carlow
email: mary@irishcarrickmacrosslace.com
www.Irishcarrickmacrosslace.com

Sheelin Antique Lace Museum
Ballanaleck, Enniskillen
Co.Fermanagh Northern Ireland
Phone: 048 66 348052 (within Ireland)
+44 28 66 348052 (International)

Application For Full / Associate Membership

November 14th, 2009

Application For Full / Associate Membership

Click Here for Application Form

The Guild has three Lacedays and three Workshop days annually and many one off outings ad courses. The Guild publishes 3 journals each season containing many articles and patterns, also 3 newsletters which provide a specially personal contact for the members. A number of the members of The Guild of Irish Lacemakers are overseas member from many different countries and they are very welcome additions to the membership.
Whenever any of them (or any lacemaker from abroad) visits Ireland local members are delighted to meet them and share their interest in Lace.
Contact with Lacemakers from other places is a key factor.

The Guild is an affiliated member of the Crafts Council of Ireland.

The logo of the Guild consists of the Rose and two Shamrocks. These motifs are commonly seen in many Irish Laces.

The official objectives of the Guild ae as follows:-

1. To further develop laces in Ireland, particularly Irish laces and their design.
2. Provide a forum for the exchange of views and common objectives Lacemakers.
3. To promote lectures, workshops, exhibitions and other activities of interest of Lacemakers.
4. Be a clearing house for information from and to Lacemakers.
5. Collect where possible oral history from traditional Lacemakers.

In accordance with (4) the Guild publishes a journal three times a year. The journal includes items of interest to Lacmakers, also details of classes and workshops and also patterns for various lace forms.

The beauty of lace is associated with the memorable occasions in our lives, the Bridal Veil, the Christening Robe, the First Communion Veil. Treasured family heirlooms in lace, crochet, and fine sewing have been used on these occasions and passed down in families with love and pride.

Happily today, lacemaking is enjoying a resurgence of interest and there is a growing number of present day Lacemakers who are creating the heirlooms of the furture, items of great beauty which will be treasured and passed down in families thus carrying on the old tradition.

The Guild of Irish Lacemakers was formed to foster this intrest in Lacemaking and its membership is growing all the time. Class in the various disciplines, including Bobbin Lace, Carrickmacross Lace, Irish Crochet, Limerick Lace, Youghal Needlelace, Mountmellick work, are held at regular intervals, and cater for students at all levels from the beginner to the very experienced. The atmosphere is pleasant, friendly and informal while at the same time the standard of teaching is very high.

Why not come and join us and start on your own “family heirloom”.

Information about the Guild can be obtained from:

The Membership Secretary,
9 Beechfield Close,
Walkinstown
Dublin 12

Click Here for Application Form

Mountmellick Embroidery

November 14th, 2009

Mountmellick
Mountmellick Mat
Designed and worked by Maree Maher

Mountmellick Embroidery takes its name from the Irish Midlands town of Mountmellick Co. Laois where it evolved and developed in the early part of the nineteenth Century. The definite style of white-work has subtle richness and great elegance. The characteristics of Mountmellick embroidery are richly worked stitching in white matt cotton thread worked on a smooth cotton satin ‘jean’, the whole being traditionally set off by the characteristic knotted fringe. While up to forty different stitches have been recorded from old pieces, it was more usual to use only ten or so.

Mountmellick Work has enjoyed a renaissance in Ireland in recent years and its many uses include mats, bed covers, christening robes and ring pillows.

Limerick Lace

November 14th, 2009

Limerick Lace

The origin of Limerick Lace differs from all other Irish Laces in that it was a purely commercial enterprise started by an Englishman, whereas the rest were the outcome of the philanthropy of Irish ladies. In 1829 Charles Walker started a lace industry based on Nottingham lace in Limerick. The industry thrived for many years until the demand for lace fell and the trade nearly died out. It was revived in 1880 by Mrs Vere O’Brien and the tradition of Limerick Lace continues to this day.

The beauty of Limerick Lace is its delicacy and the contrast between the outlines of the design and the filling stitches used. In Limerick Lace two methods are used:-

Limerick Tambour in which the embroidery is done using a tambour hook to work a chain stitch

Limerick Run Lace which is much lighter and more delicate. The design is run on to the net with cotton thread and filled in with darning stitches.

Irish Crochet Lace

November 14th, 2009

Irish Crochet Lace Collar
Irish Crochet Lace Parasol
Designed and worked by Kathie Earle

Irish Crochet Lace was inspired by the needlemade laces of Venice, gros point and plat point de Venise and in the early nineteenth century these needlemade laces were imitated with the crochet hook. By 1860, over 12,000 were employed in the industry in Cork. Clones was particularly noted for its very fine crochet lace and was given the accolade, Point d¡¯Irlande on Continental markets. Irish Crochet Lace has been used by couturiers since the late nineteenth century, achieving a look as opulent and beautiful as needlelace. To-day Irish Crochet lace is enjoying a widespread revival and was one of the many Irish lace techniques that never entirely died out.

Carrickmacross Fan

November 14th, 2009

Carrickmacross Fan
Carrickmacross 
Designed and worked by Mary Shields

Carrickmacross lace was first inspired by Italian Appliqué Lace in the early part of the 19th Century and developed in the neighbourhood of Carrickmacross during the Great Famine of 1845-1847.  The Lace was popular for its delicacy and charm and the industry flourished.  Contemporary Lacemakers use a combination of Guipure and Appliqué techniques to create the Carrickmacross we know to-day.  It is a popular lace for Bridal and first Communion Veils and Christening Robes.