09/01/2023
On a sad note, over the Christmas holiday we lost two members.
Phil Dwyer from Tipperary passes away. Phil was a great needlework and gave us great help in setting up the guild. RIP Phil.
Jenny Martin also passed away, Jenny was a gifted craft lady. RIP Jenny.
We will miss you both.
30/03/2020
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we will not be having any classes for the forseeable future. We hope to be back to normal soon. We are still active on Facebook. Please follow us there (Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland) for up to date information.
Stay safe everyone, and we hope to see you all very soon.
Happy new year to all our members and looking forward to a lacy 2019!
Aras Garden Party, 13 June 2025
Late in the afternoon of Tuesday, 10 June, an email came into the Irish Traditional Lacemakers inbox. It was an invitationfor Veronica Stuart and five guests to a garden party, being hosted by President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins in Aras an Uachtaráin, on Friday, 13 June from 2pm to 6pm. There was a flurry of excitement and it was decided that the current and previous chairs would attend with Veronica. So contact was made with Christine O’Dowd, Eleanor Power, Kay O’Donovan, Mary Shiels and Katherine Weldon; travelarrangements put in place - we would all meet up in Heuston Station at 1.00 pm. Veronica accepted the invitation and gave the Aras the information they needed on each person.Unfortunately on Thursday, Eleanor had to cry off which was a great pity.
Christine was there to meet the Cork train (Veronica, Kay and Katherine) and Mary Shiels joined us. We made our way to Ratra House where we registered and got on buses which would take us to the Aras. Pulling up at the front door gave a little thrill, this is where all the distinguished guests are greeted by the President. As we went into the building we were each handed a programme of how the afternoon would go. Down the corridor where the busts of the previous Presidents are and, of course, we stopped to take a photo between the busts of President Mary Robinson and President Mary MacAleese. Through the State Dining room and as we walked towards the garden took in the previous President’s portraits.
Through the doors to the garden. The lawn was set with tables and chairs under umbrellas, and people were chatting and mixing. Cold drinks were very welcome, it was a beautiful sunny day. There was music from a brass group through to a swing group on the lawn. As we got the down the steps to the garden, coming behind us was Mrs Sabina Higgins. Veronica introduced us and gave her a present of Irish Lace. She then explained that the crochet scarf she was carrying will be part of the uniform when TLI take part in the lace festival in Lloret de Mar in September. Sabina was delighted to accept the scarf and put it on.
Of course photos were taken. We moved on to the grass where President Higgins was meeting guests. Again Veronica introduced the group and we took photos with the President. We sat down and chatted to the people around. At 3.30 everyone moved to a very large marquee for refreshments. There was a gorgeous spread in front of us on the table, sandwiches, pastries, petit fours and fruit. Tea, coffee and wine were served. The President and Mrs Higgins joined the party and shortly afterwards the President made an address. He mentioned that there were representatives of 25 organisations present and listed everyone. He spoke a little about his 14 years in office, which is soon coming to an end,and he thanked the Aras staff for organising the garden party. His speech was warmly welcomed by the guests. John Kelly (of RTE) was the master of ceremonies and introduced three very different groups, Qbanaa, Dug and the Ratzingers. People got up and danced while the waiters and waitresses continued to serve tea, coffee, wine and strawberries dipped in chocolate. We were truly spoilt. Around 5.30 the President and Mrs Higgins left the marquee and people began to disperse. We took the opportunity to see some of the trees planted by distinguished guests over the years and to ring the Peace Bell. We then made our way back through the house to the buses which brought us back to Ratra House to Christine’s car. She drove us back to Heuston where Mary was met by her son, Martin, with whom she was staying. Veronica, Kayand Katherine caught the 7pm train to Cork and Christine drove back to Wexford where she was staying.
We all remarked on how generous the President and Mrs Higgins were with their time, nobody was hurried away from having photos taken with either of them and they took time to talk to the guests. A long day but a wonderful experience with lots of happy photographs. Thank you President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins for your wonderful hospitality.
