Ireland’s Textile Heritage

Using historic and contemporary images Vawn Corrigan will lead you through the fascinating story of Ireland's relationship with textiles. The wool trade and weaving go back to ancient and medieval Ireland. Around the time of the famine, lace-making was developed by philanthropic individuals and religious orders to provide rural women an income.

Weaving grew along similar lines, particularly in Donegal. For decades, knitting the Aran sweater was a very well-developed cottage industry. But beyond their economic value, creating beautiful textiles was always very close to the heart, an expression of the people.

After the slide show there will be a show-and-tell so if you have interesting vintage pieces please bring them along!

Vawn Corrigan is an editor and craft and heritage author based in the Liberties. She regularly writes for Selvedge Magazine, Irish Arts Review and Farm & Fiber. The O’Brien Press published her two textile heritage books Irish Aran and Irish Tweed (both of which are available to purchase at the event).