Cynthia Charbonneau, who attended my workshop in Lacis in 2012, crocheted this beautiful shrug for Isabella! https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.charbonneau.5
25 Apr
About Máire Treanor – Clones Lace expert
I first became interested in Clones Lace in 1987, when I met Mamo McDonald, who introduced me to Clones Lace, the forgotten lace of the town. On a beautiful spring day, Mamo brought me to visit some of the older crocheters who still crocheted Irish Crochet squares and edged hankies. Up in the hills of Fermanagh, about 5 minutes drive from Clones, we walked into Eileen Crudden’s kitchen. She was sitting edging linen hankies. When we walked in, she put her crochet into jam jar, where she kept her thread and handmade hook, with its wooden handle. This glimpse from the past made a lasting impression on me.
We later met other crocheters such as Tessie Leonard, Elisabeth Monahan, Annie Kerr and her sister Vera Reilly, but we weren’t able to find anyone who knew how to make the famous Clones knot, although Elisabeth made the motifs that were common to Clones Lace.
At this time I was employed by Irish World as a development officer, setting up new branches and employment projects of the the organisation in Ireland, in the UK and in NYC. We set up an employment project in the Clones area, teaching Clones Lace. At this stage I was not crocheting and Elisabeth Monahan was the crochet instructor, though we had other tutors on various days, such as Florence Creighton, who is a colourful character from Newtownbutler, Fermanagh.
Time passed by. I got married and then when I was having my first daughter Máiréad, a woman came to visit me in hospital in February 1989. Nan Caulfield was a friend of my husband. She chatted away about crocheting gloves for her daughter’s debs and teaching crochet in Monaghan VEC. Delighted to hear that she made and taught Clones Lace, I asked her if she would come to Clones to teach a night class in Clones Lace, which she did.
I was among her students and she taught me how to make Irish Crochet squares, how to crochet motifs, using packing cord and she demonstrated the Clones Knot, as she had seen Mary Beggan of Roslea do it. I also visited Mary Beggan, who died shortly afterwards. She used the shamrock Clones knot, or rolled dot as it is called locally, to edge doilies, which won her awards in the annual National RDS craft competition. This is a very prestigious arts and craft fair held in Ireland each July, as part of the horse riding fair.
The following September, I taught my first night class in Clones Lace. Then in 1990, we had our first summer school of Clones Lace, which we named the Cassandra Hand Summer school of Clones Lace, as Mamo declared that there were no summer schools in Ireland which were named after women.
In the first few years, Eithne D’Arcy, who had written a book on Irish Crochet, officially opened the summer school in Mamo’s teashop. There was also a Clones Lace Gallery above the teashop. Mamo had been the national president of the ICA and was a great spokesperson. At this time, there was nobody crocheting the motifs and joining stitch in the area. The fine squares were what was known as Clones Lace or Irish Crochet, but I was much more interested in the freeform element of the older Clones Lace, which had died out. Although Nan Caulfield and Mary Beggan knew how to do the Clones knot, they didn’t use it as a joining stitch. Elisabeth Monahan crocheted the picot filling stitch between her motifs. I quickly and quietly learned how to crochet Clones Lace from the older people and I also examined the antique pieces of Clones Lace which were on exhibition in Mamo’s Clones Lace Gallery. We had a workers co-operative of Clones Lace with fifteen outworkers, from Fermanagh and Clones. Over ten years, we made Clones Lace for outlets all over the world, but mostly the US. Then in 2000, I decided I wanted to do other things with my life and I resigned as co-ordinator of the Guild. Clones Lace Guild was wound up as a co-operative.
Encouraged by Mamo, I decided to write a book on the local folklore of Clones Lace, with a how-to section on the intricracies of Clones Lace, aimed at the beginner, as I felt that the older books on Irish Crochet were difficult to interpret. The first part of the book related the history and local stories associated with the crochet, as it is called locally. I transcribed many of the recollections of Elisabeth Monahan, Nan Caulfield, the Cruddens and Tessie Leonard which they told at folklore nights held in Mamo’s teashop, during the early years of the Cassandra Hand Summer school of Clones Lace. Over the years, the name of the summerschool has been shortened to Clones Lace Summer workshops, but it has been taking place annually since 1990.
I was first invited to teach Clones Lace in the States in 1999. Jean Ness had been a regular visitor to the summerschool, travelling with her husband Don from southern California. She was delighted that I was coming to Seattle and consequently met me at LAX and we all travelled up to Seattle by car over 5 days. This was the first of many trips to the States. In 2005, Martha, who was working in Lacis on an Irish Crochet exhibition, invited me to teach there. Barbara Ballantyne travelled from Australia for my workshop. Later that summer, she met me back in Clones with Neilie O’Cleirigh, whom I had often heard about, but never had the pleasure to meet. Both Barbara and Neilie taught me a lot about referencing lace and about the different types of Irish lace.
Although ‘Clones Lace’ was published in 2002, it went out of print in 2005, but in 2009, Jules Kliot contacted me and asked me if I would like Lacis to reprint it. They updated the book, scanning it, but I wrote a new preface. The workshop in Lacis has become a mirror of the Clones Lace Summer Workshop, with many of the same students returning each year, so much better than the previous year. Jules is very learned in the history of lace and he has amazing samples of Venetian needlepoint lace, which was the inspiration to the Irish laces during the Potato Famine 1845-51. Berkeley is also a beautiful vacation destination and the Rose Garden Inn is an amazing Hotel for the group.
My interest in Clones Lace has taken me to wonderful places all over the world and I have met amazing and interesting people.
In 2012, we decided to add an international aspect to the summer school, while maintaining the community aspect of it and we invited Olga Krivenko (Olgemini) as a guest tutor from Russia. We are the first group to invite a Master Designer from Eastern Europe, where there is such an interest in modern Irish Crochet inspired designs. In 2013 Antonina Kuznetsova (Tonya to her friends) will attend the summer school as a special guest. She will be accompanied by Yelena Salimova from Azerbaijan. Kathleen Cassidy who works in the Cassandra Hand Centre, is working on a project to renovate Cassandra Hand’s plot in Clogh, five miles from Clones. We hold classes each week in Liberty Belle, which opened as a designer shop this year in the town.
I will add some interesting photos next time…….
25 Apr
Personal workshops
I had a wonderful 2 days with Lucy Sarkisian in Dublin this week! Lucy has been crocheting beautiful and intricate motifs for a few years, but didn’t know how to do the more lacy filling associated with Clones Lace. We worked on her motifs and sprays and she was a very fast learner. I also gave her tips I have learned over the years and we practiced the straight row, the pillar row and edging!
She was working on a jabot and hopefully I’ll be able to show the finished piece soon! I want to do one too!!!:)
It was a lovely relaxing couple of days!
photos to follow
24 Apr
About Me- Máire Treanor
Posted April 9, 2012 by cloneslace in Uncategorized. Tagged: Clones Lace Máire Treanor Mamo MacDonald Irish Crochet. 5 Comments | Edit
I first became interested in Clones Lace in 1987, when I met Mamo McDonald, who introduced me to Clones Lace, the forgotten lace of the town. On a beautiful spring day, Mamo brought me to visit some of the older crocheters who still crocheted Irish Crochet squares and edged hankies. Up among the hills of Fermanagh, about 5 minutes drive from Clones, we walked into Eileen Crudden’s kitchen. She was sitting edging linen hankies. When we walked in, she put away her work in jamjar, where she kept her handmade hook, with its wooden handle. This glimpse from the past made a lasting impression on me.
We later met other crocheters such as Tessie Leonard, Elisabeth Monahan, Annie Kerr and her sister Vera Reilly, but we weren’t able to find anyone who knew how to make the famous Clones knot, although Elisabeth made the motifs that were common to Clones Lace.
At this time I was employed by Irish World as a development officer, setting up new branches and employment projects of the the organisation in Ireland, in the UK and in NYC. We set up an employment project in the Clones area, teaching Clones Lace. At this stage I was not crocheting and Elisabeth Monahan was the instructor, though we had other tutors on various days, such as Florence Creighton, who is a colourful character from Newtownbutler, Fermanagh.
Time passed by. I got married and then when I was having my first daughter Máiréad, a woman came to visit me in hospital in February 1989. Nan Caulfield was a friend of my husband. She chatted away about crocheting gloves for her daughter’s debs and teaching the crochet in Monaghan. Delighted to hear that she made and taught Clones Lace, I asked her if she would come to Clones to teach a night class in Clones Lace, which she did.
I was among her students and she taught me how to make Irish Crochet squares, how to crochet motifs, using packing cord and she demonstrated the Clones Knot, as she had seen Mary Beggan of Roslea do it. I also visited Mary Beggan, who died shortly afterwards. She used the shamrock Clones knot, or rolled dot as it is called locally, to edge doilies, which won her awards in the annual RDS craft competition. This is a very prestigious arts and craft fair held in Ireland each July, as part of the horse riding fair.
The following September, I taught my first night class in Clones Lace. Then in 1990, we had our first summer school of Clones Lace, which we named the Cassandra Hand Summer school of Clones Lace, as Mamo said that there were no summer schools in Ireland which were named after women.
In the first few years, Eithne D’Arcy, who had written a book on Irish Crochet, officially opened the summer school in Mamo’s teashop. There was also a Clones Lace Gallery above the teashop. Mamo had been the national president of the ICA and was a great spokesperson. At this time, there was nobody crocheting the motifs and joining stitch in the area. The fine squares were what was known as Clones Lace or Irish Crochet, but I was much more interested in the freeform element of the older Clones Lace, which had died out. Although Nan Caulfield and Mary Beggan knew how to do the Clones knot, they didn’t use it as a joining stitch. Elisabeth Monahan crocheted the picot filling stitch between her motifs. I quickly and quietly learned how to crochet Clones Lace from the older people and I also examined the antique pieces of Clones Lace which were on exhibition in Mamo’s Clones Lace Gallery. We had a workers co-operative of Clones Lace with fifteen outworkers, mostly from Fermanagh. Over ten years, we made Clones Lace for outlets all over the world, but mostly the US. Then in 2000, I decided I wanted to do other things with my life and I resigned as co-ordinator of the Guild. Clones Lace Guild was wound up as a co-operative.
Encouraged by Mamo, I decided to write a book on the local folklore of Clones Lace, with a how-to section on the intricracies of Clones Lace, aimed at the beginner, as I felt that the older books on Irish Crochet were difficult to interpret. The first part of the book related the history and local stories associated with the crochet, as it is called locally. I retold many of the memories that were told by Elisabeth Monahan, Nan Caulfield, the Cruddens and Tessie Leonard at folklore nights held in Mamo’s teashop, during the early years of the Cassandra Hand Summer school of Clones Lace. Over the years, the name of the summerschool has been shortened to Clones Lace Summer workshops, but it has been taking place annually since 1990.
I was first invited to teach Clones Lace in the States in 1999. Jean Ness had been a regular visitor to the summerschool, travelling with her husband Don from southern California. She was delighted that I was coming to Seattle and consequently met me at LAX and we all travelled up to Seattle by car over 5 days. This was the first of many trips to the States. In 2005, Martha, who was working in Lacis on an Irish Crochet exhibition, invited me to teach there. Barbara Ballantyne travelled from Australia for the workshop. Later that summer, she met me back in Clones with Neilie O’Cleirigh, whom I had often heard about, but never had the pleasure to meet. Both Barbara and Neilie taught me a lot about referencing lace and about the different types of Irish lace.
Although ‘Clones Lace’ was published in 2002, it went out of print in 2005, but in 2009, Jules Kliot contacted me and asked me if I would like Lacis to reprint it. They updated the book, scanning it, but I wrote a preface. The workshop in Lacis has become a mirror of the Clones Lace Summer Workshop, with many of the same students returning each year, so much better than the previous year. Jules is very learned in the history of lace and he has amazing samples of Venetian needlepoint lace, which was the inspiration to the Irish laces during the Potato Famine 1845-51. Berkeley is also a beautiful vacation destination and the Rose Garden Inn is an amazing Hotel for the group.
My interest in Clones Lace has taken me to wonderful places all over the world and I have met amazing, interesting people.
This year, 2012, we have decided to broaden out the summer school, while maintaining the community aspect of it and Olga Krivenko (Olgemini) is attending as a guest tutor from Russia. This is the first time we have invited a guest tutor, and we are hoping it will broaden the interest in Clones Lace. We are the first group to invite a Master Designer from Eastern Europe, where there is such an interest in modern Irish Crochet inspired designs. We are also hopeful that this year will the first of many and have invited Antonina Kuznetsova (Tonya to her friends) to attend next year’s summer school. Several people have shown an interest in attending next year’s summer school! Kathleen Cassidy who works in the Cassandra Hand Centre, has got a grant to renovate Cassandra Hand’s plot in Clogh, five miles from Clones. She has also given a grant for foreign nationals living in the Clones area, to help pay Olga’s expenses. Then next year, we’ll have to find another grant to help pay Antonina’s expenses! Catherine McMahon is also helping with the preparations for the summerschool.
I would also like to have my second book on Irish Crochet throughout the World, published by next year’s summerschool! -so that’s my plan……perhaps as an ebook, with some hardcopies for those who prefer this format!
I will add some interesting photos next time…….
5 responses to this post.
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Posted by irishhistoricaltextiles on April 10, 2012 at 9:30 pm edit
A lovely story to read. Looking forward to the next instalment!
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Posted by Patricia on May 17, 2012 at 12:40 pm edit
Patricia here from Drogheda, I was wondering if you are doing any
classes in the Drogheda Area? I dont dirve, so if you any other
classes they would need to be on abus route. Also how much is your
book, I would like to make something for my daughter whos is getting
married in march next year. Any suggestions-
Posted by cloneslace on May 17, 2012 at 10:20 pm edit
Hi Patricia
I don’t have any workshops planned for Drogheda, but perhaps if you suggested some places
where I could try, I could email them my details and see what happens.
My workshop in the Constant Knitter next week is on a bus route and that would have been perfect for you
but it’s booked out now, though she’s taking names for the waiting list and then if there’s another
workshop, in June or September, you could put your name down for that! Email the Constant Knitter.
If you’re interested in the Clones Lace Summerschool at the end of June, I’m sure there’s a bus from
Drogheda – Monaghan!
Re: my book, you can pay by paypal, if you have a paypal account, or send a cheque to me. You can email
me privately to maireslace@gmail.com
I’d love to see the style of your daughter’s dress. You could do an inset in lace, or a lace belt, or flowers for her head-piece. Don’t try to do anything too big. That’s where you run into problems and stress yourself out!
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Posted by Jean Ness on May 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm edit
Maire, You write a fantastic story of your beginnings in Clones lace and having met some of the people you write about I really enjoyed reading it. Am new to Ravelry and am still trying to find my way around all the info here. Am still trying to figure out if I can get to Lacis when you are going to be there.
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Posted by cloneslace on June 1, 2012 at 12:03 am edit
Hi Jean
Great to see you here! I really hope you can come to Lacis when I’m there. I’d love to meet you and Don!
If you have any problems with sign up, let me know! As my oldest crochet-loving friend in the States, you
will always have a special place!
Máire
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Leave a Reply
24 Feb
List for Southern States
List for Atlanta Georgia with SEFAA
July 13, 14, 15 2013
1. Cindy
I can forward your details onto Suzi Gough, President of SEFAA,
if you are interested in attending this workshop
Lafayette, Louisiana July 6-8 2013
1. Wanda Stoute
2. Tiffany Stoute
3. Brooklyn Stoute
4. Debbie Matherne
5. Darla Matherne
6. Jennifer Shuttleworth
Tactile Center, Denver, Colorado July 2013
1. Dianne Cheatwood
North Illinois Crochet Guild July 27-28 2013
1. Kate Wild babayaga@prodigy.net
Contact Amy Steinmetz
ammetz@live.com
Master Class in Clones Lace and Irish Crochet
Lacis, Berkeley SFO . July 31 – August 3
I call this my masterclass, as I have been doing every year since 2010, and Jules Kliot has told me I can continue to do it for as long as I want to!:)
Some of the students have been coming to this workshop every year since 2010 and are becoming very proficient Irish Crochet lacemakers, producing beautiful work. Some have gone towards the Modern Irish Crochet, inspired by Mod and Duplet, while others, such as Jeff who entered the Poppy Project with IOLI last year, have gone very fine. I am very proud of them all:)
Please contact erin@lacis.com if you are interested in attending this workshop.
We normally have a block booking at the Rose Garden Inn on Telegraph Ave,
www.rosegardeninn.com which is paradise!
Susan Beer (maybe)
Jennifer Stumpf
Diane Caldroni
Debbie Klein
Cheryl McLean
Mary Schuermann
Linda Casey
Jennifer Stumpf
Diane Caldroni
Debbie Klein
Cheryl McLean
Mary Schuermann
Linda Casey
unconfirmed:
Patty Rosnel
Mirto
Melba
Kim Davis
Leann Gallagher
17 Feb
List for Workshops in States
I am starting a list of interested people who would like me to give a workshop on the East Coast of the States at the end of June. The dates I have available are June 22-23, June 29-30 and July 6-7 2013.
If you would like to be added to this list, please send me a message on this blog and I will add your name. I will edit this list as I get more information:)
Blogging on Good Friday – March 29 2013 – I am planning to fly into Logan Boston on June 26th. We are planning to do a mini workshop in Dorchester first and then a longer workshop in Manchester NH on the weekend of June 29-30.
I am organising workshops in
June 26th -28th. Boston and Manchester NH Contact jvanraalte@metrocast.net
July 5-7 Bridgetown, Nova Scotia (contact Clo Carey (organiser - clo.carey@yahoo.com)
July 13-14 Atlanta Georgia with SEFAA Contact Suzi Gough
July 20- 21 Possibilities of workshop in Tampa Florida, Denver CO or Seattle WA
July 27-28th North Illinois Crochet Guild Contact Amy Steinmetz - ammetz@live.com
July 31 – August 3 Lacis Berkeley Contact erin@lacis.com
September 27-29 Orvieto Italy
List for Dorchester, Boston
1. Beth – wcrbeth on Ravelry
2. Caroline – charris12 on Ravelry
3. Jeanne – jvanraalte on ravelry jvanraalte@metrocast.net
4. Beth Cunningham bellabethvt@gmail.com
5. Melissa McKenzie mmckenzie51@gmail.com
6. Nancy Maryland
7. Jaylee greentrunkdesigns@hotmail.com
8. Jacqui Carroll Brooklyn NYC
List for NH
1.Jeanne Vanraalte Kline 2. Patty Runhold ( Amoskeag quilt guild ) 3.Tracy Mancuso ( Amoskeag quilt guild) 4. Raven & Shelby Gregg (Amoskeag quilt guild) 5. Bridget Murphy (Amoskeag quilt guild) 6. Robyn Zamora( Amoskeag quilt guild )
7. Lisa ( Deerfield Community School) 8. Sandy ( Thread in Hand quilt and thread shop Candia NH)
9. Jaylee greentrunkdesigns@hotmail.com
