Crochet Guild of America
Tour of Ireland and Wales
March 25 - April 8, 2000

A Report by
Gwen Blakely-Kinsler

Hello Everyone, We just returned from two weeks in the Emerald Isles and Wales on a Crochet Guild Sponsored Tour. I conceived the idea about two years ago and helped plan the itinerary. Alan and I were the Tour Leaders. Thank goodness I brought him along! He was a big help to our Irish bus driver who had a minimal sense of direction, especially in Wales where the roundabouts really threw him for a "loop." Alan charmed all the ladies with his willingness to help! He earned his keep!

The idea behind the tour was to see as much Irish Crochet and other laces as possible and that we did! The work there is incredible and I think we impressed a few people with our crochet, as well. At the Cassandra Hand School of Lacemaking we were hosted by Maire Connolly who some of us had met at the Crochet Conference in August. She was most gracious and lovely in her antique Irish Crochet blouse. We were warmly welcomed by everyone at the school and very much enjoyed the presentations, samples of lace and demonstrations, not to mention the delicious scones!

In Carrickmacross, Martha Hughes gave us a demonstration of the lace of the same name and we enjoyed the fine examples of her work. She is one of the very few still doing this exacting kind of needlework.

An Grianan Adult Education College click image for inlarged view

We had the opportunity to study for 4 days at An Grianan Adult Education College with three Irish Teachers. The three classes offered were Clones Lace, Carrickmacross and Youghal Lace. The three teachers, Sheila, Veronica and Kathie were generous and humorous and we had a great time with them. They were impressed by the adeptness of our group as we learned to manipulate the very fine threads.

Once we finished there, it was off to Wales, via the Irish Sea. We ferried across from Dublin Port, bus and all! There we were hosted by three different "branches" of the British Knit and Crochet Guild. This was one of the most gratifying parts of the trip. The person to person interchanges, especially when both have a passion for crochet, is a wonderful way to further cultural understanding.

In Chester, Judy Jones and 9 of the Cheshire group's members joined us for tea and a "show and tell." They brought a most impressive sampling of their creations and enjoyed seeing what we had brought to show as well. Next we met up with Liz Gillett and two other members from her group at Gawthorpe Hall in Padliham. They brought 30 boxes of the most incredible crochet we have ever seen from the Guild's Collection (just a mere 10% of what they have!).

We donned the white gloves they brought and thoroughly enjoyed inspecting every stitch! We had lunch together and then viewed the Kay Shuttleworth Collection of Textiles in the Hall's Museum. Liz's efforts in bringing it all to us was certainly very much appreciated.

In Lianfair Caterinion the color and texture at Colinette's Mill Shop was overwhelmingly beautiful.  Quickly we focused, though, to take advantage of a once in a lifetime yarn buying spree!! We all wished we had had some kind of compactor so we could get more yarn in our suitcases. Midway through our visit at Colinette's, the appearance of my friend, James Walters, was like a burst of sunshine into the room!! It had been 4 years, we decided, since he had taught at the crochet conference and visited in our home.

After our afternoon visit at Powys Castle (begun around 1200), James wanted to steal Alan and I away to see his house, a chapel which he is restoring. It was a beautiful ride through the countryside and we very much enjoyed the artistic touches he has planned for his new home. James joined us for dinner and overnight in Cardiff. Many who had not known him in the past enjoyed the opportunity to talk to him and experience his enthusiasm for crochet and creativity.

We had to bid adieu to James the next day as we headed off to St. Fagan's Museum of Welsh Life. Even though this was our worst weather day (cold and rainy) we enjoyed stepping back into the past. There happened to be a quilt exhibit on display and the laces were exquisite.

We then had some shopping time in Cardiff where Alan and I found our first cyber exchange. It was a relief to find out that Nicole had gotten safely back to college from her Spring Break in Daytona Beach and that Bethany was doing well except for a black eye she got from a pole that hit her during rehearsal!!

Our last visit with Guild members took place in St. Clears where Jan Andrews met us and treated us to a viewing of the group's library. To be able to see antique needlework books and fabulous Irish Crochet patterns made us want to get home and start scouring antique shops!!

A storm and snow the night before had cancelled two ferry crossings, but ours left on time. We had a few sea-sick travelers during the crossing and were pleased to get settled into our hotel in Waterford. The next morning we had a most enjoyable tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory where we saw every aspect of the craft and had some wonderful shopping time.

In Cork City we had our only scheduling mishap and missed our appointment with our teacher, Veronica, to see the Youghal lace collection. It was disappointing because she was such a fun person. On to Kenmare and the Blarney Woolen Mills where shopping for Aran sweaters took our minds off our disappointment! The Heritage Center opened early in the season especially for us and their lace exhibition was incredible. After an afternoon of shopping in Kenmare, our bus driver Bill took us on a tour of the Ring of Kerry. It, of course, is very scenic but I was surprised at the height of the mountains in Ireland.

The next day we continued with panoramic views as we traveled through Moll's Gap and Ladie's View (Queen Victoria's Ladies-in-Waiting) on our way to Killarney. With a quick stop in Limerick, we saw our last lace collection and then happily settled into our last hotel, tired by now and having thoughts of home. Our last evening was spent at a Medieval Banquet in Bunratty Castle and it was a most fitting end to a wonderful two weeks.

The concensus in the group seemed to be that the Crochet Guild should offer this tour every two years or so. We also had comments along the way that this is a very unique tour and that we were such a freindly group that got along well. The common bond of crochet was the thread that wove patience and understanding among us!

Gwen Blakely-Kinsler

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