Please view our Comments and Pictures from our past Events

Lace Organiser/s: veronicastuart@gmail.com 26 -8-08 Nemo Rangers Duglas Please book in

Lace Day Organiser/s: TLI 01-03-08 Nemo Rangers Duglas Classes in Different mediums of lacemaking. Book in with Veronica @ 021-4371152 and state which lace you would like to learn. Please give a 2nd chioce

R.D.S. Organiser/s: RDS craft compition 01-05-08 Ballsbridge Please apply to RDS for entry forms. Good luck. Veronica

Lace Day Organiser/s: T.L.I. 2-2-08 Nemo Rangers Come and join us . Coffee @ 10.30 Book in @ 021-4371152

Lace Day Organiser/s: T.L.I. 03-11-07 Nemo Rangers Duglas Traditional Lace Makers of Ireland will hold a lace day in Nemo Rangers on November 3rd from 10.30 to 4pm.

Lace weekend Organiser/s: TLI 28-9-07 Goughane Barra We have a lace weekend in Goughane Barra hotel from Fri next to Sunday oct1st. Two B+Bs Two Evening meals. Lace workshop all day saturday. E125.00 If you would like to come, please contact Eleanor. 021- /086 8048579.

Lace Festival Organiser/s: T.L.I. 7-4-07 Fota House Come and join in.

Lace day Organiser/s: Eleanor 0214894771 03/ 02/ 2007 Nemo Rangres Club (Trabeg Leisure Centre)

Lace day AGM Organiser/s: Eleanor 0214894771 29/09/2006 Gougan Barra Hotel Ballingeary Co Cork

Lacemakers in Hungary Organiser/s: Veronica, Eleanor and Irish Lacemakers 17 04 06 Kiskunhallas/ Hungary Irish Lace Graces International Festival The Lace foundation and Mayor of Kiskunhallas in Hungary officially contacted Veronica Stuart, inviting her and her lace-making students to represent Ireland as guest nation at the 7th International Lace Exhibition. Irish Lace History Exhibition under the auspices of H.E. Mr. Brendan McMahon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ireland and Countess Ullein-Reviczky Lovice Maria, Participant countries include England, Estonia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, France, Germany, Finland, Hungary and Ireland. This honour was much appreciated and the response was overwhelming. The quota was rapidly filled by fifty of Veronica’s students from Munster. Due to forward planning, professional organisation, attention to detail and sheer hard work on the part of Veronica who pioneered the whole week and her highly competent assistant, Eleanor Power, the event was to prove most enjoyable and successful for all involved. The group with some chosen friends to shepherd us, left Cork airport for Budapest on the Hungarian Malev Airline at 07.30 am on Monday April 17th. Following a very pleasant flight, A coach in glorious sunshine from Budapest to Kiskanhallas transported the group. We had our first impression of a beautiful country, full of colour - a real blossom. A land with acres of plum cherry, peach and apricot trees in full bloom. For the next week we were to be dined, wined and entertained in the picturesque town of Kiskanhallas, noted for its clean air, with parks full of trees, flowers fountains and sculptures. The town’s thermal and medicinal baths have three indoor spa pools of different temperatures. The certified curative thermal spring contains alkaline hydrogen, fluoride and iodiferous ions. The town with its lace house is known first and foremost for it lace. The lace harmoniously marries treasures of folk decoration with renaissance, baroque and secession motifs and a richness of composition. It has won grands prix at many international competitions. By weight it is more valuable then gold. A lot of wonderful pieces have been given to world wide famous people, among them Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, a Japanese Empress and Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, for her wedding. On Friday April 21st, the International Lace Festival was officially opened by Veronica Stuart. Amongst the dignitaries present were the Mayor, the Irish Ambassador, Countess Ullain Reviczky, Councillor Paula Desmond, Chairperson of Culture, Heritage and Libraries. Mr. Ian McDonagh, Arts Officer of Co. Cork was unable to be present. After the opening speech by Veronica, all the other dignitaries spoke, aided by an interpreter. A talented group of Hungarian students from Budapest University called Irish Coffee, set the atmosphere and entertained us with Irish music and song. The Irish Exhibition entitled “Come Fly with Me” displayed the artistry and intricacy of Irish lace with angels, birds, butterflies and winged horses worked in Limerick, Youghal, Bandon, sprigging, New Ross, Montmellick and Carrickmacross Lace. We were proud that it was among the finest of lace creations and was greatly admired by visitors from many countries. Some of our own Irish judged the international lace competition. That night we were toasted and treated to a mega banquet of food and drink. The variety and presentation of food was outstanding. For a hundred years or so, Hungary’s food like it culture, has an intriguing double identity, cleverly blending eastern mystique with the traditions of the west. Master chefs have always trained a keen eye on the latest trends across Europe and most Hungarian specialities reveal hints of Renaissance Italian or 19th century French cuisine. By the end of the 19th Century paprika had cemented its place as Hungary’s favourite seasoning. The Irish Coffee music group remained with us, and the music singing and dancing continued late into the night. Our dance group performed an Irish set and after some coaching in the Siege of Ennis etc. the Hungarians were delighted to join in the fun. Next day, in brilliant sunshine the Irish group gave on open-air demonstration of the art and intricacies of Irish lace with samples of Limerick, Bandon, Youghal, Mountmellick and Carrickmacross pieces. A constant flow of visitors admired the work while Veronica talked a number of foreign ambassadors through the Irish Exhibition and did several TV and radio interviews. At the end of the day we enjoyed entertainment on a holiday farm where we were treated to native food and beverage. We had a walk-about on the farm and were shown a string of horses and a riding arena, outdoor chess, swimming pool and all-weather tennis court. A holiday at the farm with tree meals per day costs only €330 per week. The package includes transport to and from Budapest Airport. Our scheduled cruise on the Danube had to be cancelled owing to rising floods. Nevertheless we enjoyed a great barbecue on the Banks of the Danube in warm sunshine. Hungarians in native folk dress entertained us with music and dance. When news reached Ireland that we were paddling in the Danube, there was widespread alarm that we might go with the flow. Another highlight of the week was our visit to Opusztaszer National Historical Memorial Park where we got a glimpse of the Hungarian’s last Thousand Years History and Art and the particular culture of the Great Hungarian Plain. We were impressed by the Panoramic painting depicting “The Arrival of the Conquering Hungarians”. This is one of just eighteen panoramic paintings in Europe. On Sunday we had a bilingual celebration of mass in a beautiful church, artistically ornamented with frescoes, flowers and an abundance of lace. The Irish Choir conducted by our musical director, Katherine Weldon alternated with the equally impressive Hungarian Congregation. Sean O’Riordan’s “Ar n-Athair” was sung by soloist Denis Crowley, a member of the West Cork male group called “Spiro”. The week passed all too quickly and on our final day we enjoyed a coach tour of Budapest where we saw some of the sheik and grandeur of this great city. Despite frequent tragic upheavals, which spared nothing and nobody, the country boasts a heritage that attracts people from far and wide. Citing Budapest’s unparalleled panorama, UNESCO declared Budapest, Hungary’s Capital “the Pearl of the Danube” a World Heritage Site. Sincere thanks to the friends and sponsors who generously contributed to the very successful and enjoyable event. As Mna na h-Eireann we represented the country with honour, and the strains of Amhran na bhFiann and The Banks floated with pride through the Hungarian air. We will cherish the memories and entertain the dream of our next venture abroad. The Exhibition of Irish lace continues in Hungary until May 17th. On May 27th and 28th it will go on display to the public in Fota House, Cobh. The Traditional lacemakers of Ireland meet on the first Saturday of each month in Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork. Veronica attend the lace festival in Italy Sept.06 . Will be giving a weeklong summer course in lace making at An Grianan ICA adult education Collage. Also teaches at local level and in Ashton School and Carrigaline Community School. Email blues@gofree.indigo.ie Sr. Aine Coughlan