Lace making shop - The Square - next to the Tourist office - Kenmare, Ireland
Dublin - London - Washington - Paris - Rome
In museums around the world those with an appreciation
of the exquisite skill of lace making, can see examples of Kenmare Lace.
The Poor Clare nuns came to Kenmare in 1861, they were brought here to teach.
It was just after the famine and employment was badly needed.
The nuns set about developing the lace making into an industry.
It was taught at the school and sold at the Landsdowne arms hotel in Kenmare.
Tourists could also come to Ireland and view the lace being made in the convent lace room.
The industry thrived with people coming from far and near to view the work or make a purchase.
Among the many distinguished customers was Queen Victoria who had 5 pieces of Kenmare Lace.
 where Kenmare Lace is on display, and sold today. |
A major factor in the development of Kenmare Lace was the development of it's own original designs. A school of design was established in Kenmare which was affiliated to the Kensington college of art in London and the Crawford school of Art in Cork, from this school came designs which won acclaim in exhibition around the world. Happily these designs have not been lost and today they form the basis of the revival of this cherished local skill. |
How Kenmare Lace is made :
Kenmare Lace is a needlepoint lace. It is made with a needle and thread.
To start there are two pieces of cloth at the back. Over that is laid the pattern
and over that a mat contact. A couching thread is laid down around the outline of the design.
The pattern is worked in from the outline of the design with rows of detached buttonhole stitches.
These stitches are attached to the background only around the outline.
At no other time does the needle penetrate through all the layers of cloth.
The pattern is made up of variations on the buttonhole stitch with contrast created by variations
on the tension and the formation of the stitches. When the pattern is completely filled
the stitches (bridges) holding down the outline couching thread are cut
away and the lace falls free from the background, thus revealing the most exquisite Kenmare Lace.
 President of Ireland Mary Robinson watching a lace piece being made. |
 |
Below you find some samples of Lace work.
These cards are for sale in the Lace Shop.
They show the fine lace work that made kenmare lace so well known
Hours upon hours of work go into this artwork,
The pieces are sold worldwide and the fine quality is unique.
| The Kenmare Home Page | Lace Shop |