Crochet Guild of America: Tour of Ireland and Scotland Day 9: April 6, 2003 Clones Visitor Centre, Ulster Canal Stores, Roslea Heritage Centre report by CGOA member Barbara Pretzsch

Sunday, April 6^th  the church on the hill above the Sliagh Beagh was dim with fog.  The dew on the fields made the scene look like the Ireland of so many paintings.   After breakfast we were again whisked away.  Today we went to the Ulster Canal Stores.  I had wondered what “stores” would be open Sunday morning.  What a surprise I got!  We drove into Clones along very narrow streets, so narrow that cars were parked on the sidewalks to allow cars to pass on the road. 

Ulster Canal Stores

We approached a smaller building that now hosts the Visitor's Center for Clones.  We were welcomed to the center which also houses a nice collection of Clones lace, a small gift shop and a work room where we all sat around several tables and worked on more items for our collections.  This was originally a storage area for use with the Canal which is no longer there, hence the name “stores”.

Eileen Cruden

We took time out to visit with Eileen Cruden and Tessie Leonard who sat down with their lace-making to show ‘how it is done’.  How amazing it was to watch these women with their tiny hooks work nearly without looking.  The hooks were originally sewing needles, which have had the eyes broken into and filed smooth to make a hook.  The “sharp” end of the needle is pressed into a piece of wood and it is very functional.  Eileen had her thread stored in a small mayonnaise bottle.  Many of the ladies we meet had their work in a small tin box, which they carried wherever they went. 

We weren’t very fa r along before our midmorning snack was offered of tea and biscuits, yogurt, apples and Clementines (a small tangerine type fruit with no seeds).  Back to work with Grainne and Rosarii as our helpers again.  It was nice have such lovely ladies to call for help.  Before lunch we were given the opportunity to wander in the town a little.  I walked into the town and took some pictures of the town we had seen in the dusk the day before. 

Ulster Canal Stores

Back at the Ulster Canal Stores I admired all the lovely lace things that have been made for sale.  I bought 3 key rings, and a brochette that was made by Maire.  Among the choices were doilies of all dimensions and patterns, cards lavender bags, hankies, framed pieces, and unframed pieces ready to be framed.  It was a chore to decide what to buy and many people crowded the small counter to decide.  Before we left Maire gave us each a card with a small crocheted piece on it, and Grainne gave us each a bookmark that she had made.  It was so nice of them to add to our great things to remember our trip with.

Jim, Maire Treanor, Maire's daughters

Our lunch of delicious soup and sandwiches was served.  Jim, the director of the stores, entertained us on his American banjo but playing Irish jigs, and Maire joined in with her concertina.  Maire’s three daughters joined us as well and one also could play the concertina. 

Upon returning to our work in the workroom we were visited by Grainne’s mother who brought along a christening gown, hat and booties, another beautiful creation to view.  Rosarii’s friend came wearing a crocheted blouse and a third visitor came with some old crochet pieces to show us.  5:00 rolled around too fast.  The sun came out as we twisted and turned our way back to Sliagh Beagh.  I began to recognize the territory and would know the way before too many more trips. 

Mary Lou Johnson at Roslea Heritage Centre

We had an excellent dinner as always and at 7:30 we were back on the bus for a tri p to the Roslea Heritage Centre and tea with the ladies of the Lacemaking Guild. The roads to Roslea were very narrow, so narrow that we scrapped branches on the side of the bus.

Mannequin with lace hat & blouse at Roslea

In Roslea the small building housed a nice museum.  We met some lovely ladies from the area who pulled out their little tin boxes to show us what they were making at the time.  They also had some things for sale and some delightful ideas.  There was a tiny bag about big enough for a lipstick and some “mad money”, or a hankie with a drawstring and a small handle.  A locket was displayed for sale as well. 

The original rock floor was in some of the old building, which had been a schoolhouse opened in 1874.  The ground floor was used then as a stable for horses and ponies a nd later as a garage for the parish priest’s car.  The top floor was the school.  A large fireplace was topped with a mantle, an interesting work of art with unusual carvings imbedded in it.  With many of the kettles and cooking utensils used in olden times, a warm fire going.  A flat pan was suspe nded from a bar over the hearth.  It looked like an old black skillet with no handle and in it was some pan bread, which we would enjoy for our 6^th “meal “ of the day!  We were told it had not been cooked there, but would have been in olden times. Of course scones and tea were offered as well. 

Margie Scane, Jean Ness, Dolly Kalerak with Lacemaking Guild

The local newspaper would be running a story on the visit from the Americans and pictures were being taken.  I walked around the first floor admiring such things as an old christening gown and table covers.  A mannequin with a lovely crocheted hat and blouse were prominent in the museum.

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

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