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RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Stitches in the air: celebrating Dubin's history through lace
Sínann Fetherston sits down with visual artist and lace maker Fiona Harrington to learn about the history of needlelace in Ireland, and how she is using it to celebrate Dublin's tangled past. A traditional craft passed down through generations, the Italians refer to handmade needlelace as "punto in aria" ("stitches in the air") because of how the fine-threaded stitches are suspended between grounding threads. Held together through tension and delicate dexterity alone, this hard-earned skill was once a lifeline for women in Ireland following the devastation of the famine in the late 19th century. With schools set up by philanthropists and religious orders, women were trained in the profitable skill, eventually making it the second-largest industry in the country. Known as a 'Golden Fabric', the vast majority of pieces were sold internationally, frequently bought by artistocrats and royalty. In fact, in 1911, Britain's Queen Mary had a handmade piece commissioned using Youghal Lace, one of the specific varieties hailing from Ireland. Coming in at four yards by two yards, and using a shockingly fine linen thread, the veil took six months of 60 women working day and night. Today, if one person were to undertake the task under a more humane eight-hour workday, it is estimated that it would take them 35 years to make. Despite the incredible beauty of the pieces, following World War I and the invention of machine-made lace, the art form quickly died out, with just a few people in Ireland today retaining the skill. Visual artist and lacemaker Fiona Harrington is one such person. I had the opportunity to watch Harrington at work through Culture Club, a series of hosted talks, tours and activities that introduce and encourage people to connect with cultural spaces of the city, organised by Dublin City Council's Culture Company. As the current Artist in Residence at 14 Henrietta Street, a museum holding 300 years of Dublin city life, Harrington is currently exploring the unique quirks of both the building and its past tenants through the practice of lacemaking. Drawing inspiration from the patterns of the old walls and the historical objects with memorable names (she paid homage to the "guzunder", a bedpan called so because it "guzunder the bed"), she is yet to confirm what the end result will look like. "I began by exploring the collections, wandering around the house, photographing everything, and kind of starting to piece together my own stories," she told RTÉ Lifestyle. "I also did tons of tours with the guides, and the guides are so important here in Henrietta Street because, not only do they have the history of the house, but they also have their own personal stories." Harrington responded to the stories by creating both needlelace portraits with hidden details and colourful bobbin lace pieces mirroring the building. The Child of Prague, for example, features wallpaper patterns from bedrooms and fanlights above doors, while her bobbin lace pieces capture the various shapes found through layers of chipped paint on the old walls. "Another piece is dedicated to the memory of Peter Brannigan, who is an ex-resident of Henrietta Street but was also a dear friend of the museum," she explains. "I was really fortunate to have met him a few months ago; he only passed away two or three weeks ago, so I'm making a piece in memory of him." To see Harrington's work and to learn more about the history of life in Dublin city centre, you can book in for a tour at 14 Henrietta Street.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two Dublin beaches hit with 'Do Not Swim' notices for next seven days
Swimmers have been warned not to swim at two popular Dublin beaches for the next seven days, council chiefs have warned. A 'Do Not Swim' notice has been put in place at Front Strand at Balbriggan beach and Claremont beach in Howth by Fingal County Council. This is due to elevated bacterial results in the seawater at both beaches. The council said 'the incident is expected to last seven days.' This means beach goers at the two beaches are prohibited from swimming in the sea at both beaches until next Wednesday, July 30. In the alert issued, the council stated: 'Claremont Beach and Front Strand Beach will remain open - but beach users are asked to respect the 'Do Not Swim' notice as it has been put in place to ensure that the health of bathers is not compromised. 'Members of the public can check for water quality at any of the monitored bathing waters in Ireland in advance by accessing the EPA website at or by checking the notice board at the entrance to each beach,' the council stated in its alert. This alert comes as swimming on Sandymount Strand in south Dublin has been banned for the entire 2025 season. It means swimmers can't return to the Irish sea spot until the bathing season is over, which runs from June 1 to September 15. The reason for the ban is that the water quality at the beach, tested by Dublin City Council, is poor. Swimming in poor quality water could expose beachgoers to pollution and risk creating health problems. Dublin City Council said on Monday, July 21: "A swim restriction applies at Sandymount Strand for the entire 2025 season.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Times
a day ago
- General
- Irish Times
Planning permission granted for new library to serve Crumlin and Drimnagh
A new library for Drimnagh and Crumlin has moved a step closer after planning permission was granted. The site, on Crumlin Road and Rafter's Lane, Dublin 12, will also be redeveloped for 38 social homes. The location of the new library is within the grounds of the former secondary school Ardscoil Éanna, which was set up by former Irish Volunteer James O'Byrne in 1939. The school, which was founded on the principles of Patrick Pearse's St Enda's School in Ranelagh, closed in 2016 due to financial difficulties. It operated out of a historic house and is a protected structure. READ MORE The vacant site at a former funeral home and Ardscoil Éanna on Crumlin Road and Rafter's Road, Crumlin, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times Conservation repair works and alterations are proposed to Ardscoil Éanna House to transform it to cafe use on the ground floor and library use on the first floor. The development also includes a new single storey and part two-storey branch library building. The other side of the site, where a former funeral home is located, will be redeveloped for social homes. Artist's impression of plans for the library and housing site. Image: A drawing of the planned redevelopment. Source: The planning application for the new homes will be 'submitted shortly', Dublin City Council said. 'In order to prepare the site for the construction of these homes it is necessary to demolish the old funeral home,' it said. 'Demolition works will take place in the coming months.' The local authority also said it was aware of 'false reports' circulating on social media about the future use of the site. City councillor Daithí Doolan said there had been claims online that the area was going to be used to house asylum seekers. 'There was no shred of truth in this. It was never discussed. It was never mentioned,' the Sinn Féin councillor said. 'The city council bought the two sites [the school and funeral home] with the sole purpose of putting a library and social housing on it. It was total nonsense. 'The city council bought the site where the school was when it shut down. Then they heard the undertakers were coming up and thought we could have a bigger footprint.' Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times Cllr Doolan said there was a 'long-time campaign' to secure a library for Drimnagh. 'The issue was we could never find an appropriate site,' he said. 'This came along. It was bought with the beautiful protected building in the middle. It's perfect. At the moment there are libraries in Dolphin's Barn and Walkinstown, but they are quite small.' The council said detailed design on the library will begin early next year after the appointment of a design team. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times The library will consist of a combined adult and junior library space, public study space, an events room, meeting rooms and other spaces on the ground floor. The first floor is to include a reading room, meeting rooms and staff spaces. The development also includes a new footpath linking Crumlin Road to Rafter's Lane. One of Ardscoil Éanna's first teachers was Patrick Pearse's sister Margaret, who taught at the school for many years. The school was rare in being a Catholic one run by lay people and in private ownership. It remained in the O'Byrne family until its closure, with actor Gabriel Byrne among its past pupils.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Council chiefs hope new move will stop tourists groping Molly Malone statue
Dublin City Council chiefs are now hoping that installing flowerbeds around the Molly Malone statue will be enough to stop tourists from groping it – after the move had success in other parts of the city. Ray Yeates, Arts Officer for Dublin City Council, said that when plant pots were put in front of the Portal, it stopped punters from touching it. When asked if he felt the move would be enough to put an end to the behaviour, he told the Irish Mirror: 'I don't know is the short answer to it. 'It worked very well for us at the Portal when we used flower planters to stop people from touching the Portal. We're certainly going to try this and see how it works.' The decision to axe the stewards in favour of flowerbeds was first revealed by the Irish Mirror on Tuesday. In April, it had been announced that stewards would patrol around the famous statue for a week on a pilot basis from the start of May. As part of the pilot programme, the wardens stood adjacent to the statue, located outside St Andrew's Church, and intervened if any tourists went to feel her bust. But on Tuesday, Dublin City Council said it believes the groping of the sculpture is 'ingrained' into sightseers and something tourists just do as part of their trip while in the capital. Council bosses acknowledged that when the marshals were in place, people would cooperate, but once they were gone, the Suffolk Street effigy would be groped again. Mr Yeates added: 'It's a difficult one because people will want to make statues not that accessible to the public, but it's just something we're going to have to manage and it's in a very popular part of the city.' Rubbing the famous fishmonger's breasts for luck is believed to have been thought up by a cheeky tour guide in 2012. The Molly Malone statue in Dublin (Image: Getty Images) The act has led to Molly Malone's chest area becoming discoloured – but the Irish Mirror can reveal that preparations are underway to have it restored again. When told some people believe there are more important issues in the city to tackle, Mr Yeates said: 'Given the amount of public interest in it, I think it probably is seen to be an important issue.' Meanwhile, Dublin City Councillor Cat O'Driscoll said the move will inject colour into an otherwise grey area and help detract gropers. The Social Democrats councillor said: '[Flowerbeds] would be a nice barrier that brings colour and biodiversity to a grey enough area.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Times
a day ago
- General
- Irish Times
Flower-bed barriers to be placed around Molly Malone statue to discourage tourists from touching breasts
Dublin City Council plans to place flower beds around the plinth holding the statue of Molly Malone to prevent tourists from rubbing its bosom. The statue on Suffolk Street has suffered discolouration to its breasts due to a recently contrived 'tradition' suggesting touching them brings good luck. It is a popular place to take photographs, with members of the public climbing on to the unprotected plinth. The council had stewards in position for a week in May asking people not to interact with the sculpture. However, the stewards, while successfully in discouraging people, cannot be in place around the clock, and touching resumed as soon as they were absent. The bronze statue has lost its patina in the chest area, exposing the structure to further damage. Climbing on the plinth has also slightly dislodged the pins that hold it in place. READ MORE Council arts officer Ray Yeates said there are divided opinions about how important it is to prevent the so-called tourist tradition. 'Some people are very upset and others thinks 'what matter?'' he said. However, the damage to the statue has prompted council action. Noting the difficulty of changing visitors' behaviour, Mr Yeates said: 'We are exploring other avenues of protection for the sculpture, including installing flower beds around the base.' Over the next six weeks the site will be covered in a shroud as the statue's finish is restored and the plinth secured. Flower boxes will be put in position, making it more difficult to reach the seafood seller's chest. Overall the works are expected to cost in the region of €20,000. If this is not enough to discourage visitors from damaging the statue, 'we will try something else', Mr Yeates said.
