Kenmare Lace & Design Centre

The Kenmare Lace and Design Centre is a treasure trove of many things. It is not just a museum or a craft shop. It is a centre for the promotion of Kenmare and many other Irish laces. It is a meeting place for lace makers from all corners of the world. When lace is being demonstrated there are no language barriers. The art and craft of lace making are their own form of communication. Here Kenmare Lace and other laces are displayed, demonstrated and sold. You can also buy lacemaking materials. An added bonus is the extensive array of lacemaking materials and general haberdashery available at the Centre.

The first thing that strikes one on entering the centre is the display of antique lace from the Convent of the Poor Clares Kenmare. This is for display only and not for sale. Most other items, except for the demonstration pieces, can be purchased. On the back wall are vintage and antque pieces. These are sourced mainly from around the area, although we cannot always guarantee their origins. For those who would like a souvenir, but whose pockets do not stretch to a piece of handmade lace, we have some Irish machine made hankies, tablecloths, etc. These are displayed separately in the centre of the room. All the rest of the lace is handmade and mostly made locally.  Anything not made locally we source mainly from members of the Irish Lace Guild. All is made in Ireland.