Unveiling the story of Thornton Lace

A Kilcullen event during National Heritage Week will explore the story of Thornton Crochet Lace, crafted by local women during the Great Famine, writes Mary Barber. The event will be held in Kilcullen Community Library on Tuesday, 20 August, beginning at 7 pm. 

In the years of An Gorta Mór, the lace was crafted by some of the poorest people in Kilcullen for some of the wealthiest women and men in Europe. During this period that brutally transformed Ireland, many communities clung to life quite literally by a thread.

Starting in "Black ‘47,” Thornton lace was formulated by ingenious women based in Thornton, Grangebeg. It generated a huge financial income for the Kilcullen area. Lace teachers then went to various parts of Ireland, giving other communities the knowledge and skills to craft this much sought-after commodity. It continues to be made around the world to this day.

Participants at the event, which is free, can also try their hand at crocheting their own.

There will be chat and a hot cuppa afterwards. 

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