Connect with us

Culture

Amazing Lace Symposium 2026 is a celebration of lace this Saturday, February 28

Published

3 months ago

on

Amazing Lace Symposium 2026 is a celebration of lace this Saturday, February 28. Photo shows Amazing Lace Symposium 2025. Picture: Keith Wiseman

The Amazing Lace Symposium 2026 will take place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at the Absolute Hotel in Limerick

Throughout the day, a pop-up exhibition of lace pieces, books, and designs will be on display.

The Amazing Lace Symposium 2026 will take place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at the Absolute Hotel in Limerick, bringing together lace makers, scholars, artists, and enthusiasts for a day of connection, creativity, and conversation.

The symposium will be officially opened by the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, who will welcome participants and underline the importance of preserving and celebrating Ireland’s rich lace heritage.

This year’s symposium theme, “Tradition and Creativity,” reflects the connecting threads between the lace-making traditions of the island of Ireland and the work of today’s lace makers who are committed to sustaining these traditions while also creating new work inspired by the contemporary world.


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement


advertisement
advertisement

Morning sessions will focus on the history and art of lace. The keynote lecture will be delivered by renowned US lace artist and scholar Elena Kanagy-Loux, whose work bridges research and creative practice. The Royal Dublin Society will be represented by Karen Phillips, Head of Arts, who will present a talk on the 130-year-old Branchardière tradition in Ireland, highlighting its historical significance and ongoing influence on Irish lace.

The Amazing Lace Symposium 2026 will take place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at the Absolute Hotel in Limerick
The afternoon programme will be dedicated to hands-on learning, discussion, and collaboration.

The afternoon programme will be dedicated to hands-on learning, discussion, and collaboration. Participants will take part in small-group workshops exploring Irish Crochet lace, Clare embroidery, Kenmare lace, and Youghal lace. There will also be discussions on lace research and cooperation among lace groups, alongside live lace-making demonstrations including bobbin lace and Tenerife lace.

Throughout the day, a pop-up exhibition of lace pieces, books, and designs will be on display, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with both historical and contemporary expressions of lace artistry.

Organised by Friends of Lace Limerick, the Amazing Lace Symposium 2026 continues to grow as a meeting point for tradition, scholarship, and creative innovation, welcoming participants from across Ireland and beyond.

Related Topics:

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.