Thursday, February 09, 2012
With ICA guilds revamping their image many ladies may consider a holiday with a difference, combining a cruise with craft.
The Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland — formed during the Cork European Capital of Culture year in 2005 — are set to go on a week-long craft cruise next October. Of the 54 women already signed up more than half of them are from the ICA .
Lacemaker Veronica Stuart — who made lace and crochet roses for a bouquet given to Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Cork last May — will lead the craft cruise. "I was invited to run a lace cruise by Barter Travel. There are bridge cruises, dance cruises, so why not lace?"
After flying from Cork to Malaga on October 6, the cruise will take in Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, and Veronica has already made contact with the Lanzarote Lacemakers.
"We’re going to spend a day with them. We will have a long cruise day on Oct 7 and on Oct 12, and we’ll have a room set aside on board, where guests can come in and view or join us." Veronica is also hoping to set up a meeting with the Tenerife lacemakers.
When the Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland were invited to Hungary in 2006, as a result of the Capital of Culture, this was the springboard for international lace trips. "In 2010, we went to the Catalonian Culture Festival, which was held in Lloret de Mar in the south of Spain. It was a huge success, and it was fabulous to show off the Irish lace. Fifty-six of us sat out on the promenade on festival day. We were at long trestle tables with canopies overhead, and the sun shining down on us."
During the cruise, the ladies will make samples of all the Irish laces. "I’ve told them to bring something finished to put in an exhibition that we’ll have, as well as something they’re working on. Irish lace is totally different to what they do in mainland Europe," says Veronica.
"Youghal Needlepoint is totally different, as are Limerick and Carrickmacross Lace. In Europe, they mostly do bobbin lace. We do that here too, but we mostly do the needle laces."
There’s no language barrier when it comes to craft, she says. "They love our needle laces. When we were in Spain we were able to pick up on their appreciation even though we didn’t have the language."
Women from the five regional Cork federations are signed up to go on the cruise. Speaking about the appeal of lacemaking, Veronica says it’s a very calming, soothing occupation. "With patchwork and working with colours, you’re worried about the colours not matching. With lace we mostly use white, which is very calming. I have ladies coming to me to learn lace, whose doctors have recommended that they come."
So far, the 54 women who’ve committed to going on the cruise are aged between 30 and 80. "If you want a holiday and don’t want to do any lacemaking, you can still join us," says Veronica, adding that husbands and families are accompanying some of the women.
The cost is from €905 per person — this covers flights, shuttle buses to the ship, inside cabins (twin sharing), seven nights full board, gratuities and port taxes/fees. To book a place, call 021-4894084. To talk about the lacemaking aspect, email to veronicastuart@gmail.com or call Veronica at 021-4371152.
nThe Lacemakers of Ireland meet on the first Saturday of the month (10.30am to 4pm) at Nemo Rangers clubhouse, South Douglas Road, Cork .
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