Needlecraft Handmade in Ireland

Print of a postage stamp depicting traditional Irish needlecraft. Ireland is home to a range of beautiful traditional forms of needlecraft or... more

by Andy Prendy

Title

Needlecraft Handmade in Ireland

Artist

Andy Prendy

Medium

Photograph - Photographic Print

Description

Print of a postage stamp depicting traditional Irish needlecraft. Ireland is home to a range of beautiful traditional forms of needlecraft or embroidery, of which the most famous is perhaps Mountmellick embroidery or Mountmellick work. This is a floral whitework embroidery which originated in the early 19th century in the town of Mountmellick in County Laois. Employed on household items such as doilies, nightdress cases, brush and comb bags, bedspreads/coverlets, and tablecloths, the work was white, but was so hardwearing that it could be easily boiled white again.
Today, Mountmellick embroidery has become popular around the world. A museum has been opened in the town itself to permanently display articles of Mountmellick. The National Museum of Ireland (Dublin) also has some beautiful examples, as does the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum outside Belfast and the An Grianan Adult Education College at Termonfechin, County Louth.

Uploaded

June 4th, 2013