CARRICKMACROSS, COLLAR

Carrickmacross Lace Collar – Hand-Stitched in Ireland, 1980

This delicate Carrickmacross lace collar was hand-stitched in 1980 and purchased by the donor at a convent during a visit to Ireland. It reflects a long tradition of lace-making that began around 1820 in Donaghmoyne, near Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.

Carrickmacross lace was developed by Mrs. Grey Porter, the rector’s wife, and her sewing maid Ann Steadman. Inspired by Italian appliqué lace, the technique was introduced to provide much-needed employment for young women in rural Ireland. The lace became known for its refinement and was used to make wedding veils, collars, cuffs, handkerchiefs, and table linens.

The Carrickmacross technique involves layering fine organdy, muslin, or cambric onto a net base. The design is outlined with couched thread, after which parts of the fabric are cut away, and the remaining net is decorated with needlerun filling stitches.

This collar features a trailing shamrock design—an iconic Irish motif—along with distinctive Carrickmacross elements:

• Pops: tiny buttonholed circles scattered over the net
• Twirls: coiled threads couched along the outer edge

After a decline in the 1860s, Carrickmacross lace saw a revival in the late 19th century when nuns at the St Louis Convent in Carrickmacross taught the craft to young schoolgirls, preserving the tradition into the 20th century.

While this piece has minor damage to the upper left-hand side and some loose threads on the edges, it remains a fine example of 20th-century Carrickmacross lacework, linking past and present through handcraft.