Carrickmacross Lace
Carrickmacross Lace was originally inspired by Italian appliqué lace which Mrs Grey Proter, wife of the rector of Donaghmoyne brought back from her honeymoon in 1816. Mrs Porter and her maid Ann Steadman studied and learned the appliqué technique, and around 1820 an individual style was created and soon after appliqué lace-making classes were set up training young women in the craft of lace making who in turn spread the craft to other areas. The lace making craft proved successful until the 1840s when overproduction and economic depression led to its decline. However the lace making craft was kept alive by a neighbour of the Porter family, Miss Read, who established lace-making classes on her family estate, the Rahans estate.
After the Great Famine a new lace technique was introduced to the area - guipure - its origins to be found in Brussels lace. The introduction of this technique brought a new dimension to the craft. It wasn't until the Dublin Workingman's Exhibition of 1872 that the craft received its official name - Carrickmacross Lace.
Patronage to, and commercial demand for the craft continued until the end of the 19th Century, and the craft would have all but disappeared had it not been for the interest taken in the craft by the Sisters of St. Louis who came to Carrickmacross in the 1890s. The Sisters set up a lace-making school and introduced new designs which give the craft a fresh impetus.
Subsequent years saw a return to prosperity and demand for Carrickmacross Lace and the lace making tradition has been passed through many hands to the present day accomplished lace makers. Today pieces are commissioned by local lace makers and are exhibited through the Lace Gallery situated in the town.
In Carrickmacross Lace the design is applicated on organza to a ground net, using close sewing stitches on a thick thread. Unwanted organza is cut away leaving an elegant design. The work is further embellished with a variety of point stitches, guipure, pops and the very distinctive loop edge.
There are two types of Carrickmacross Lace - Appliqué and Guipure, but both can be found together in more elaborate pieces of lace. Carrickmacross Lace was used by the Emmanuelles on Princess Diana's wedding dress.
The Carrickmacross Lace Co-op, established in 1984 sells and regularly exhibits pieces of lace. The Co-op exercises a quality control for this cottage type industry, ensuring that the standards of those people who began the craft and kept it alive are maintained today. The Carrickmacross Lace Co-operative run the Lace Gallery and ensures that only the best quality lace is displayed
For more information please contact The Carrickmacross Lace Gallery
Address: Market Square, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
Tel: (042) 966 2506
Email: info@carrickmacrosslace.ie
Web: www.carrickmacrosslace.ie