The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-20
IRISH VILLAGE CRAFTS -- --~1,sz
~ l.. ~.s.s SHOWN IN AMERICA

wore a gown Of dark green flannel, and
her large thick hands toiled over piece
of Carrickmacross Of cobweb texture.
It seems impossible that such large
hands could manage the flmy stuff, but
they did, and the pattern, as delicate
as frost work on winter pane, grew
slowly, and perfectly as she worked.
the needle on fine net. The pattern is
app1iqued on the net and the needle
fills in the spaces with vine-like de.
signs. The Limerick lace is still more
intricate and difficult, and few lace
workers attempt it. The converts, which
kept alive the exquisite art during the
long years Of apathy and neglect, have
preserved the fine old designs and can
furnish workers who have not forgotten
how to reproduce them. The lace is,
however, too delicate for ordinary fin
gers. The crochet is, after all, the per-
lection of Irish lace, more character
istic than the others.
Cottage Industries.
The cottage industries represented at
the show are not condfned to lace max
ing. No one who has visited Ireland
can ever forget the native weavers,
with their ancient looms and spinning
wheels on which bolts of splendid wool
ems are made. Wheels and looms are at
the Garden, and the real weavers are
with them. The type of Irish man and
woman in charge are seldom seen among
immigrants Of the present day.
A generation ago Castle Garden saw
island was still IN her darkest hours
and the. best of the peasantry wers
leaving her shores. They can stay al
home now, and they do. The pictur
esque old man who operates the looms
shook his head vigorously when asked
il he intended to stay in America
County Galway was good enough fol
him, he declared. He tied a large greer
woollen apron around his waist, anG
his task he removed his shoes, exhibit.
ing huge pair of rose-colored socks
hand-kn1t, which contrasted pleasantly
with the green apron and the colorfu
melange Of his homespun trousers. The
trousers looked as if they had sbee1
woven out of the ends of yarn saved
from several seasons weavings.
Ono of the most artistic exhibits i.
that of the Dun Emer Guild, Of which
Miss Elizabeth Corbet Yeats, sister o.
the poet, is head. The guild has re
ing, once a thriving art of Ireland
Two large rugs in the exhibit are OF
especial interest. They are woven OF
pure Irish wool and are notable in de
sign. One pattern was taken from
Celtic illumination Of the sixth cen
fury, the "Book of Kells." 1t is high
ly symbolic, tho not more so than the
fine red carpet beside it.. An expert
student of Gaelic stood before these
rugs, and held forth delightedly on theil
meaning, much as the Oriental rug mer
chant talks of his own wares. Every
line has its significance. A third car
pet is for a chancel or sanctuary. Il
is in correct ecclesiastical eolors, an(
bears sacred symbols. The guild makes
more or less of speciality of vestments
and has sent some exquisite examples
among them purple velvet chasublt
embroidered with golden wheat, and
cream -colored poplin vestment, embroi
dered in purple flowers. Tapestry pic
lures, after the Gobelin method, arc
made by the guild. One of these, !,
sort of a poetic Brian Boru figure
standing beside the sea, is called Re
| Election, the title being embroidered
| in Gaelic lettering underneath. An
other, a wo1lnan's figure, sailing 6
windy sea in an ancient vessel, is calico
uThe Voyage to the Land of Youth,
| this also in Gaelic. Still a6other tapes
try, beautifully executed, represents the
coat of arms of well known Irisl
| family. The colors used in the tapes
tries, as well as in the embroidered
linens and painted fans sent out by
| the guild, are of a wonderful softness
suggesting brilliant landscape vieWse
through perpetual mists.