New Books Network Molly-Claire Gillett, "Irish Lacemaking: Art, Industry and Cultural Practice" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Dec 21, 2025
Molly-Claire Gillett is a scholar of Irish lacemaking and author of a forthcoming book exploring Irish lace's rich history and cultural significance. She delves into the life of Emily Anderson, an influential lace designer, and her pivotal role in the industry. The discussion reveals fascinating insights into how Irish crochet served as famine relief, the impact of design competitions on artisans, and the challenges of maintaining craftsmanship in a changing world. Gillett also shares her personal journey of learning lacemaking and current research initiatives.
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Chance Discovery Of Emily Anderson
- Molly-Claire Gillett discovered Emily Anderson through a family member who contacted the National Museum of Ireland with archival materials.
- That connection allowed Gillett to trace Anderson's long career and map networks across the Irish lace industry.
Deep Historical Roots Of Irish Lace
- Lace making in Ireland has deep roots reaching into the 18th century and earlier myths and textile traditions.
- Early institutional support like the Royal Dublin Society helped seed small, well-documented lace enterprises.
Famine Sparked Scalable Crochet Production
- The Great Famine spurred philanthropic lace industries and popularized crochet lace as scalable household production.
- Irish crochet used fine thread and small hooks allowing many family members to contribute different motifs efficiently.