Headford Lace Project at Kylemore Abbey

Members of Headford Lace Project were delighted to accept an invitation from Abbess Karol O’Connell and the Benedictine sisters to participate in a day of craft at Kylemore Abbey on St. Brigid’s Day, Feb 1, 2025. In celebration of the feast day traditional rush crosses were woven and lace was made. The crosses were presented to the sisters and were blessed at a ceremonial mass in honour of St. Brigid.  
Both Kylemore Abbey and Headford have a shared lace heritage. There was a well-established tradition of bobbin lacemaking in Belgium from 15th century. The Benedictine Community of nuns left Ypres and settled in Kylemore in1920 bringing this lacemaking tradition with them. Lacemaking was part of the curriculum at Kylemore Abbey Convent school from the 1920s. HLP were delighted to reconnect with Sr. Madeleine Cleverly, a friend and previous tutor of our project and work on bobbin lace. 
Both Kylemore Abbey and Headford lie within Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark area. In the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, this craft day spent in the heart of Connemara was uplifting and inspirational.