Limerick Lace
by Nellie Ó Cléirigh & Veronica Rowe
The first section of this book describes the origins of Limerick lace, probably the most famous of all Irish Laces. As a form of embroidery on net it needed a good supply of that net to become viable and that began to be economically available after Heathcote's factory in Tiverton began to produce it after 1815. When, in 1828, a group of skilled girls were brought from Essex to Limerick, they became the foundation of the craft there, under the initiative and with the substantial investment of one Charles Walker. By 1844, about 1700 women and girls were employed. This early success continued for upwards of the next 100 years and the book describes this in some detail.
In the next section, by the co-author, Veronica Rowe, describes the contribution to Limerick and its workers by her maternal grandmother, Florence Vere O'Brien, after 1883.
The third section describes the various techniques which comprise Limerick Lace.
All sections are very well illustrated with many excellent photographs and pictures of the stitches in the third section.
In excellent, near-new condition. Very minor corner bumps to cover. Original supplier's sticker inside front cover.
Published 1995 by Colin Smythe
91 pages - Glossy paperback
ISBN 0-86140-368-1