Diane,
About nuns and lace-making in Ireland -you may have been given these
references already - but just in case...
The Presentation nuns feature in :
Jane Houston-Almqvist, Mountmellick Work: Irish White Embroidery, (Dublin:
Dolmen Press 1985 and more recently republished: Buckinghamshire:Colin
Smythe 1990). This is a`survey and manual' but gives some background
history and contains illustrations of embroidery work also known as
Mountmellick Lace. It has an interesting bibliography.
The St.Louis nuns feature in:
Nellie O'Cléirigh, Carrickmacross Lace (Dolmen Press, 1985, now republished
2005 - see web page book title)
The Poor Clare nuns in Kenmare, Co.Kerry have a lace-making tradition ging
back to Famine times. You will be able to find more information from the
Poor Clare Lace-making Centre in Kenmare
Re. Foxford Woollen Mills mentioned by a network member, there are a couple
of useful booklets on the history of this enterprise - with pictures-
published by Foxford Woollen Mills, Co.Mayo - now a tourist outlet - founded
to create work for women in Foxford by a member of the Irish Sisters of
Charity.
Hope some of this of use. Good luck with the work. Barbara Walsh
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