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| Kenmare Lace Display (website photo) http://www.kenmarelace.ie/
In the 1800's, the sisters of the Poor Clare convent introduced needlepoint lace to the women and girls of the locality. It was a response to the poverty that followed the Great Famine. The Sisters not only taught the children, but gave them a skill to earn money at a time when there were few options for women. They also provided training for boys in skilled crafts. The major factor in the success of Kenmare Lace was the introduction of original designs. Queen Victoria ordered lace with their prize winning designs.
The Kenmare Lace and Design Centre has displays including designs for
‘the most important piece of lace ever made in Ireland’ (in a
19th-century critic’s opinion). It’s run by lace-maker Nora Finnegan,
who was taught by the Poor Clare nuns. Also interesting is the story of
Margaret Anna Cusack (1829–99), the Nun of Kenmare and an early advocate
of women’s rights.
Kenmare
Lace is a needlepoint Irish Lace. It is made with a needle and thread.
It is based on the detached buttonhole stitch. The Poor Clare nuns came
to Kenmare in 1861. They were brought there to teach the children of the
locality. They did this very well. They also gave them a skill with
which to earn a living. This skill was lacemaking. - See more at:
http://www.kenmarelace.ie/#sthash.RPATBOap.dpuf
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Kenmare Lace Festival
Images of the work of 2015 winners of our Traditional, Contemporary and Fashion-Able competitions to appear shortly., Kenmare Lace Festival was part of ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’, a series of events, festivals and gatherings of all kinds welcoming people to Ireland during 2013. We celebrated the wonderful heritage of lacemaking established by the Poor Clare nuns in post famine Kenmare in the 1860s.
Our festival program again included workshops in;
- Kenmare Needlepoint Lace
- Irish Crochet Lace
- Carrickmacross both traditional and contemporary
- Limerick Run and Tambour lace
- Bobbin Lace
- Tatting and Battenburg Lace
We had some very exciting competitions great prizes.
Competitions were in:
- Traditional Lacemaking
- Contemporary Lace
- Under 18
In the Traditional Lacemaking catagory:
In the Contemporary Lacemaking catagory:
In the Under 18s Lacemaking catagory:
Congratulations to all of our winners and a big thank
you to everyone who entered. We hope to see you all back next year with
more wild, wonderful and creative ideas!
OpeningThe festival was opened by the glamorous Louise Kennedy.
Next came the launch of ‘The Lace Story, Kenmare and other Irish Laces’ by Nora and Emer Finnegan.
We had a very informative lecture on the history of Irish lacemaking, on Kenmare Lace and the story of ‘The Commemorative Circle of Lace’ made recently by the school children in Kenmare and aided by the wider community.
As well as several exhibitions we had a fabulous fashion show with wonderful designs from Sinead Doyle, Helen Coady and Melissa Needham.
For more information visit the www.kenmarelacefestival or email us at info@kenmarelace.ie.
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- See more at: http://www.kenmarelace.ie/?page_id=46#sthash.MuAUBjk0.dpufKenmare Lace – Home
An Introduction to Kenmare Lace
- See more at: http://www.kenmarelace.ie/#sthash.V5fmmJV6.dpuf
Welcome to the Kenmare Lace Experience
Kenmare Lace is a needlepoint Irish Lace. It is made
with a needle and thread. It is based on the detached buttonhole stitch.
The Poor Clare nuns came to Kenmare in 1861. They were brought there to
teach the children of the locality. They did this very well. They also
gave them a skill with which to earn a living. This skill was
lacemaking.
The nuns in Kenmare were also talented artists.
Training in design added value to their lacemaking and so Kenmare Lace
became known worldwide.
Kenmare lace is still made today at the Kenmare Lace and Design Centre in Kenmare.
Here you can learn about the history of this unique industry started by the nuns of Kenmare.
Antique lace from
the Poor Clare Convent can be seen in the Heritage Centre Situated in
behind the Tourist Office and upstairs in the Kenmare Lace and Design
Centre
