Fifty lacemakers from the four corners of Ireland were joined by lacemakers from England and Scotland for a week celebrating the beauty of, and skill in, making lace.  The guest speaker and teacher was the renowned bobbin lacemaker, Jacqui Barber. 

Jacqui Barber is a Bobbin Lacemaker, Designer, Teacher, Speaker and Author who exhibits her work at home and abroad. She is widely travelled, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm promoting this ancient craft in an exciting modern way.

On Tuesday, 14th April, 2015, thirty-eight Traditional Lace Makers departed from Cork Airport and arrived at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.  From Schiphol Airport we travelled to stay in the heart of Amsterdam.

We stayed at the 3 star Rho hotel, which opened its doors in April 1989.  The building was formerly used by a gold trading company.  The beautiful reception and lobby were once a theatre, built in 1908 in Art-Deco style.

Farina Sternke has been collecting and researching fans for over 10 years. She has been interested in antique costume and accessories since she was a little girl. This passion was encouraged by her grandmother and inspired by her great grandmother, who was an accomplished seamstress.

A Celebration of Irish Lacemaking took place from 9th March for four days in the Trident Hotel, Kinsale Co Cork.  Lacemakers from all over Ireland were joined by lacemakers from England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Germany, France and the USA, some returning to hone their skills while others were sampling Irish laces for the first time.

Our first event in 2015 - our 10th year of lace making - was a celebration of Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas) with dinner and a lace fashion show on January 3rd in the Trident Hotel Kinsale. Over 60 people were treated to a wonderful meal and most enjoyable fashion show.

Congratulations to the Limerick City of Culture 2014 and Limerick City and County Council on the publication of “Amazing Lace - A History of the Limerick Lace Industry”.  A beautiful read or browse through.

The Wild Atlantic Way Lace Festival took place in the Trident Hotel, Kinsale from March 10th to 14th 2014. The highlight of the Festival was the lecture by world-renowned lace historian Marianne Stang on Lace Moves With The Times. Over 100 lace makers were fascinated to learn the direction lace making is taking.

We are thrilled that Irish crochet made by our Life President, Veronica Stuart, was part of the bouquet Queen Elizabeth II received when she visited the English Market in Cork on 20 May, 2011.

Congratulations Veronica, an honour well deserved.

From June to October 2010, we exhibited antique and modern Irish laces in the master bedroom suite on the first floor of Fota House. One room of the exhibition was open all week while the full suite opened on Sundays when TLI members were present to demonstrate lacemaking and answer queries about the pieces on exhibition.

Youghal Needlepoint Lace is one of the finest Irish Laces and is made entirely out of thread.  In this book, the history and the revival of Youghal Needlepoint Lace are documented.  It is also a student guide to the making of Youghal Needlepoint with step by step instructions.  

September 2010 saw 44 TLI members, together with 8 members of the Northern Ireland Guild of Lacemakers, travel to Lloret de Mar for the Catalonian Culture Festival.

A most enjoyable and fruitful summer school took place in Gougane Barra from May 17th to 24th. TLI members were joined by members of the Lace Guild of Northern Ireland and visitors from England.

At the February 2010 Lace Day it was announced that 11 TLI members had recently been successful at a number of levels in FETAC examinations.  

Three members had completed level 5 (two of these also completing level 3). Eight ladies had been successful in level 6; 6 of these had also completed a second module - training the trainer.

Congratulations to Pat Lamb on her wonderful achievement at this year's RDS National Crafts Competition.  Pat won 7 awards for her Youghal Needlelace and Mountmellick Embroidery.  Her Youghal Lace runner was awarded 1st place in the Lace Category, the Country Markets Medal and the Guild of Irish Lacemakers Award.

34 TLI members spent a most enjoyable and busy weekend of 23/27 April 2009 in Larne, Co. Antrim where they shared workshops with members of the Lace Guild of Northern Ireland.

Social events included a reception by the Mayor of Larne, Cllr Bobby McKee and his wife Betty and visits to the Giant's Causeway and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.