Lyrics, Lace and Legacy Exhibition

A new exhibition on lace and textiles is now on display at Yeats Library, ATU Sligo.

This exhibition was launched as part of the Lyrics, Lace & Legacy: Celebrating the creativity of the Yeats Family programme of events which took place on Wednesday 11th June 2025. It was hosted by Yeats Library, ATU Sligo, in collaboration with the Yeats Society Sligo to mark the 160th birthday of W.B Yeats.

The events included talks, poetry, music and drama performances. Dr Adrian Patterson (University of Galway), gave a talk exploring the influence of Yeats' poetry on song and music while Dr Kathryn McSweeney (ATU St Angela’s), spoke on the history of lacemaking in Ireland. Her talk emphasised the contribution of Susan and Elizabeth Yeats on the Irish Arts and Crafts movement through their establishment of the Dun Emer Guild and the promotion of women’s crafts.

The exhibition launched by Dr. Kathryn Mc Sweeney, outlines the history of various lace and pattern design work in Ireland and how it has evolved with the use of technology. It showcases student textile work from ATU St Angela’s and unique pieces created in collaboration with the Maker Space, ATU Sligo.

It features winning entries from children’s workshop competitions which were held in 9 primary schools from the region and also includes a collection of EU TRACtion project lacework which Dr Kathryn McSweeney has kindly donated to ATU Library.

The exhibition is open Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm in the lower ground floor of the Yeats Library.

More information on heritage week events in ATU here: https://atlantictu.libguides.com/blogs/library/heritage-week-2025-atu-library-18th-22nd-august