Amazing lace: Craftwork on show in Cork city

The lace currently on display in Cork City Library is as delicate as butterfly wings, and the ladies behind it are a talented band, bound together by ties of friendship and kindness.

The Traditional Lace Makers of Ireland are exhibiting their craft in the library on Grand Parade throughout the month of May.

It’s the library’s way of marking Bealtaine, the national celebration of the arts and creativity for older people.

The lace makers’ group was formed in 2005 with the aim of keeping the craft alive in Cork and surrounding areas.

Margaret O’Sullivan, Executive Librarian at the Rory Gallagher Music Library, used her persuasive powers to secure the temporary loan of glass cabinets from the Cork Public Museum.

This enables the public to view close up the lace makers’ exquisite work in the main library foyer and lending area. The displays are changed every week.

“If anyone is interested in what we’re doing, they’re welcome to come along on any Wednesday throughout the month, says Christine O’Dowd, group chairperson.

“We have starter kits if people would like to sit with a teacher and have a go.”

A demonstration of bobbin lace, which involves a type of weaving, together with mixed laces, was provided by Jackie Magnin in the library last week.

Originally from The Netherlands, Jackie now lives in Ahiohill in West Cork, and is a leading light in the revival of the Co. Galway- based Headford lace.

An Antique Lace Roadshow took place in the library last Saturday, where the public were invited to bring along their family heirlooms to find out what type of lace it is and to learn more about its history.

Mera Qamar, Collections Officer at Cork Public Museum, gave a talk on preserving lace into the future.

This Wednesday, May 28, Kay Carney will give a workshop featuring crochet and mixed laces, between 11am and 3pm.

“It’s so lovely to sit and chat with the other ladies, different people from different walks of life, says Christine.

“Sitting here doing lace gives me down time for my brain.”

On the day I visited the library, Chris, originally from Dublin, but living in East Cork for many years, showed me a wonderful mantilla - a traditional female liturgical lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head and shoulders - on display in one of the cabinets.

“I made that for my mum, Monica Reid from Dublin, who will be 100 on Bloomsday, June 16,” Chris tells me proudly.

For talented lace-maker Katherine Weldon, from Rochestown, walking into the Adult Education lace class in Ashton for the first time was a life-changing experience.

“Everyone is making lace for the love of working with their hands. No-one is doing it for money,” she said.

“You learn multiple skills because you’re learning all the different types of lace.

“You’re also learning history by osmosis because you’re hearing stories about women and girls who were making lace back in the 19th century.”

In addition to the Adult Education classes, the Guild also organises a variety of events, from monthly workshops in Nemo Rangers GAA Club to twice yearly workshops in the Gougane Barra Hotel and the Kinsale International Lace Festival.

The lace makers travel to the Costa Brava in Spain this September for a Lace Festival.

Life President Veronica Stewart, from Carrigaline, lives, breathes, and sleeps lace. She was responsible for the revival of Youghal lace and was instrumental in setting up the Traditional Lace Makers of Ireland group.

“Lace is part of our history. We shouldn’t let it go. I love the lace and I love the company,” says Veronica.

“What we need more than anything else is a textile museum in Cork.

“When the groups come from abroad for the Kinsale festival, we need a permanent exhibition area where we can show them the different types of Irish lace.”

Veronica’s daughter, Catherine Clancy, is a qualified lace teacher and her granddaughter, Alanna, who is doing her Leaving Certificate this year, is already following in her granny’s footsteps.

“In her Oral French exam, Alanna outlined to the examiner the story of an antique lace wedding dress that I have at home,” Veronica says.

Among the newly-qualified lace teachers in the group is Aodhaidín Collins, originally from Co. Clare but now living in Rossmore, near Clonakilty.

“ I used Mountmellick lace for a white dress that was part of my portfolio for the teaching exam and I wore it on the day myself and my husband, Vivian, renewed our wedding vows in Gougane Barra Church,” said Aodhaidín.

“Our two children were with us and my daughter wore a cardigan her granny, Guild member, Marie O’Shea, had crocheted.”

Helen Crowley, from Mayfield, is busy making green crochet scarves the members will wear as part of their uniform on the Spanish trip.

“My husband is laid up at the moment so this keeps my mind occupied,” Helen points out.

French-born Marine Payolle is hoping to do her teaching exam in the coming year.

“I’m aiming to give the lace a more modern twist in order to attract young girls to take up lace making,” says Marine.

Siobhan O’Herlihy, from Ballinhassig, has been crocheting all her life. She loves meeting her crafting friends in the Co-Op in Carrigaline every Monday and Thursday.

Eleanor Power, from Douglas, was the lace group’s first Chairperson. She specialised in Limerick lace but sadly is no longer able for the intricate work.

“I can do crochet, knitting and rug making. I do miss making the lace, but that’s life.

“The kindness here is just superb and the friendships are for life,” says Eleanor.

As we talk, Helen Crowley comes over and presents Eleanor with a green scarf.

“I’m not going to Spain and still Helen did this for me. Now do you understand what I said about the friendship and kindness?” Eleanor asks me.

I nod, holding back the tears.

See www.traditionallaceireland.com or call 087 9822661.