Earlier this year, Grania McElligott agreed to donate her grandmother’s historic lace collection to Limerick Museum.
Maude Kearney is one of the most important personalities who impacted the history of Limerick lace. In 1904, she opened her first lacemaking business in Limerick, employing more than 50 women. Now, her lace collection, including exquisite lace pieces, but also patterns, photographs, letters and other documents has been donated to Limerick Museum.
The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell, accepted the collection on behalf of the people of Limerick saying:
“This is one of the most significant donations to Limerick Museum for many years. It is one of the biggest collections of Limerick lace in private ownership, so this donation will make the museum’s collection of Limerick lace the largest in existence.”
“The collection is of very high quality with many unique and rare items and it has a very historic provenance in that the collection belonged to Maude Kearney, the leading figure in Limerick lace for 50 years.
“On behalf of the people of Limerick, I wish to thank Grania and her family for their great generosity in giving their priceless collection to Limerick Museum.”
(Limerick Post, 23 December 2023)
The Art of the Stitch: The Enduring Legacy of Maude Kearney, continues in Limerick Museum until 31 January 2024. Limerick Museum is situated in the Old Franciscan Friary on Henry Street, across from Dunnes Stores.
The Museum is open to the public Monday to Friday 10.00am to 5.00pm; Saturday 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Admission is FREE.
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