Crochet Guild of America:

Tour of Ireland and Scotland

Day 6: April 3, 2003

Class at An Grianan

report by CGOA member Barbara Pretzsch

  

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15

Thursday, April 3rd classes and meals were on the same schedule.  We wandered into each other’s classrooms to see all the fantastically intricate collars, handkerchief trims, blouses, gloves, necklaces, pins and whatnots.  Veronica was teaching Mountmellnick embroidery and Carrickmacross Lace as well as Irish Lace. Veronica had quite a collection of beautiful things, as did Eileen. One of Veronica’s items was a necklace with a rose on a rope of crocheted alligator cord or Hungarian cord (apparently the real name).  There were crocheted buttons on the end of the cord as well. 

Eileen's work    Eileen Murtagh's work

Eileen had some table runners, doilies, gloves and two tops for some very small ladies.  She said once she could wear them! There were many beautiful items that Eileen had made on display.  What lovely work!

Walk on Beach    Margie Scane, Betty and Noreen (our Irish friends), Barbara Pretzsch

It was a delightful two days and 3 nights in this wonderful place.  That afternoon I caught up with 3 Irish ladies and Marjorie from our group.  We found our way to the beach being careful of the golfers as we crossed the  golf course.  I noticed as we passed several golf courses around the country and Scotland that everyone walked.  There were no golf carts anywhere.  Good exercise! 

After high tea we gathered in the library again with our projects.  We were told that one of the ladies there in the gardening class, Margaret, was celebrating her 70th birthday.  They were going to have a party for her and they wanted it to be a surprise so they told her the party was for the Americans. 

Various people sang many songs and since Delma was a member of a choir she was persuaded to sing.  She chose You Are My Sunshine.  Maybe because she knew everyone knew that one and would join in.  Later as we all (Americans) were early to bed people she suggested Good Night Irene.  After that song we all stood and joined hands to sing the Irish Goodbye Song.   Hugs and tears followed as we took our farewells with these lovely people in An Grianan. 

Updated:

©2004 Crochet Guild of America. Article and Photographs: Barbara Pretzsch Webweaver: Pam Oddi

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