Borris Lacemakers - Hitting the heights in Strasbourg!

Borris Lacemakers, Margaret Byrne and Betty Thompson, embarked on a unique trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg at the invitation of MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú. Their mission was to demonstrate, exhibit, and promote the unique Irish craft of Borris Lace in a space shared with craft-workers from four other European countries. The group has expressed pride in representing not just Carlow, but Ireland, at such a prestigious and international venue. They view this as a moment to highlight their community’s heritage and the enduring value of lacemaking traditions. This visit not only celebrates the craft itself — tape-lace rooted in the 19th-century tradition of Borris — but also emphasises the ongoing cultural relevance of local artisan work in a European context. The Borris Lacemakers expressed their sincere thanks to Cynthia for selecting them.

Busy as always, on Culture Night, the Lacemakers enjoyed an evening of music, song, and story in O’Shea’s Bar, Borris. The night began with a talk by PhD student Samantha Morris from Co. Wexford, who has been researching stories about Borris Lace, followed by a lively traditional music session with local musicians. The event was kindly sponsored by Carlow County Council as part of their Culture Night programme.