BORRIS LACEMAKERS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

It was with great panache that the Borris Lacemakers celebrated their 10^th Anniversary on Friday August 21^st on the Fair Green Borris.

As it was Heritage Week and Market Day in the town the buzz was absolutely electric as the group were joined by, among others, Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Catherine Callaghan T.D., Cathaoirleach of Carlow Co. Council Tommy Kinsella, Councillor Michael Doran and a number of other dignitaries and staff of Carlow Co. Council.  

Three ladies representing Headford Lace Co. Galway and Limerick Lace also travelled to Borris to join in the celebrations and to celebrate August Craft Month. Festivities began at 10a.m. with people engaging with lacemakers, viewing the beautiful exhibits on display and many ‘trying a stitch’ for the very first time. 

There were activities for children too who coloured drawings based on Borris lace designs and some even tried a stitch or two themselves. A group of local musicians playing traditional music added a special touch to the festivities.

At 12 noon a specially commissioned seat incorporating Borris lace designs and sponsored by Keenan Alltech Borris was unveiled by Tommy Kinsella Cathaoirleach Carlow Co. Council assisted by Brigid O’Regan, a founding member of the Lace Group.  This was followed by the cutting of the Birthday Cake which incidentally also had a Borris Lace Motif. This task was given to the ever-young nonagenarian Ena Atkinson who was part of a previous Borris Lace revival and she was ably assisted by Chairperson Margaret Byrne and Secretary Helena McAteer another founding member.

A big thank you to the Design and Craft Council of Ireland, Carlow Co. Council, Keenan Alltech, Musicians, Borris Men’s Shed and everyone who helped in any way to make the occasion a resounding success.