Enniscorthy Castle host to textile exhibition

By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle

A newly curated exhibition of textiles and designs located in Enniscorthy Castle entitled The Fabric of Wexford: Industry and Innovation was launched officially this evening by Mr Sean Doyle, Chairperson of Enniscorthy Castle and the National 1798 Rebellion Centre Committee.

Mr Doyle who is a former member of Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Town Council is also renowned for his knitting and was displaying a purple and gold scarf of his own creation. “Knitting is my favourite hobby,” he quipped.

Mr Doyle welcomed the exhibition to Enniscorthy and spoke about the history of textiles and designs and encouraged large numbers of people to visit the exhibition in the castle over the coming weeks. He paid tribute to the people who conceived the idea. He also gave a formal welcome to the newly appointed Manager of Enniscorthy Castle and the 1798 Centre, Ms. Mico Hassett. “We wish her well in her new post,” he added.

Ms. Hassett thanked her staff for putting the exhibition together. “This is a home-grown exhibition – we did it entirely ourselves – and we are really pleased to share it with you here tonight.”

She explained; “The larger room explores the history of the textile industry in Wexford with key pieces loaned from the Wexford County Archives and Mount Carmel Lace sitting alongside contemporary examples by local creative industries from Ros Tapestries, Ceadogán Rugmakers to Emblem Weavers. The Wexford County Archives through Grainne Doran has generously loaned the Castle examples of needlepoint, lace and embroidery, as well as an early woollen Irish Tricolour flag and an embroidered Irish dancing dress.”

The exhibitions smaller space features local contemporary makers in textiles, including embroiderer Tess Reynolds, weaver Terry Dunne, fibre artist Nicola Browne, multi-media fibre artist Gráinne Kenny along with showcasing the 2021 Junk Couture winning piece designed by Enniscorthy Coláiste Bride secondary school student Alicia Rostermundt.

The exhibition runs until April 24^th and entry is included in the castles’ general admission tour ticket which at €6 per adult (€5 student /seniors) or only €15 for up to a family of five, is super value. Enniscorthy Castle is open Monday- Friday 9.30am- 5pm (with last tour 4.30pm) and on weekends Saturday and Sunday 12noon to 5pm.