Airborne Stitching: Honoring Dubin's Past Through Lacework Artistry
In the heart of Dublin, a rich tapestry of history is being woven anew. On 28 August, at 6 o'clock, Fiona Harrington, the Artist in Residence at 14 Henrietta Street, will be hosting a tea time talk. Details for the event can be found at 14henriettastreet.ie.
Needlelace, traditionally known as "punto in aria" in Ireland, has a deep-rooted history in the city. This intricate textile art was once an essential resource for understanding the history of 14 Henrietta Street and its tenants. The craft, which flourished to become the second-largest industry in Ireland, played a crucial role in the lives of many Dubliners, particularly women, following the devastation of the famine in the late 19th century.
Harrington's work honours this heritage by using needlelace to celebrate Dublin’s past. Her contemporary pieces, filled with hidden details and colourful bobbin lace, mirror the building's layers of chipped paint and the stories of its past tenants. One of her most notable works, "The Child of Prague," features wallpaper patterns from bedrooms and fanlights above doors.
The craft, often referred to as a 'Golden Fabric,' was frequently sold internationally, including to aristocrats and royalty. In 1911, Britain's Queen Mary had a handmade piece commissioned using Youghal Lace, a specific variety from Ireland.
14 Henrietta Street offers tours where guides share both the history of the house and their own personal stories. For those interested in learning more about the history of life in Dublin city centre, booking a tour is a must.
Harrington is also creating a piece in memory of Peter Brannigan, a former resident of Henrietta Street and a dear friend of the museum. As one of the few people in Ireland today who retains the skill, Harrington's work not only honours the craftsmanship of Irish needlelace but also revives interest in its cultural significance in present-day Dublin.
If one were to undertake the task under a more humane eight-hour workday, it is estimated that it would take them 35 years to make a piece like Harrington's. The guides at 14 Henrietta Street, however, provide a valuable resource for understanding the history of the house and its tenants, making a visit to this historic site a fascinating journey into Dublin's past.
[1] 14henriettastreet.ie [2] Irish Crochet Lace [3] Bobbin lace [4] Fiona Harrington
- In addition to the historical tours offered at 14 Henrietta Street, one can also explore the fashion-and-beauty aspect of Dublin's rich past through Fiona Harrington's intricate needlelace works, such as her pieces showcasing wallpaper patterns and fanlights from the building's bedrooms.
- The home-and-garden transformation of 14 Henrietta Street over the centuries is reflected in Fiona Harrington's art, comprising the lifestyle changes and traditions of the women who once lived there, particularly following the devastation of the famine in the late 19th century.
