SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1983

Crafts Council of Ireland Thomas Prior House Merrion Road Dublin 4 Telephone 680764 / 603070

MINISTER FORCRAFT SECTORIn all the concentration on the EuropeanCrafts Conference, the full significance ofthe statement issued by the Minister forIndustry and Energy on the occasion ofthe state reception for delegates on 16thSeptember may have had less impact thanif it were made in isolation.

The Minister in his statement saw 1983 asmarking the beginning of a new stage inthe development of the craft industry inIreland. The fact of the Crafts Council'samendment of its Memorandum andArticles to allow the Minister to appointfive members of the ManagementCommittee was noted and the statementwent on to say "this restructuring of theManagement Committee will ensure thatit is adequately represented byadministrators, craftworkers and the statebodies who are concerned with the craftssector."

Two key paragraphs follow: "In the pastthe craft industry may not have receivedthe attention merited by its potential forgrowth and job creation. For this reason Ihave decided that the Minister of Stateat the Department of Industry andEnergy, Mr. Eddie Collins, T.D. is to begiven special responsibility for thedevelopment of the craft sector, includingresponsibility for the Crafts Council ofIreland . . . a central feature of theMinister of State's role will be to ensurethat the activities of all the state agenciesconcerned will be co-ordinated to ensuremaximum development of the craftsindustry."

The Minister for industry & Energy,Mr. John Bruton, Mr. Frank Sutton,Executive Officer, Crafts Council, Mr.Eddie Collins, T.D. Minister of StateDepartment of Industry & Energy andMr. Padraig White Managing Director,Industrial Development Authority atthe State Reception.

WCC-Europe Conference in September. A tense moment during the glass workshop atJerpoint Glass

EXHIBITIONSINTERNATIONAL CRAFTSPowerscourt Townhouse was the venueand Power Securities the hosts to anexhibition of the works of craftsmenattending the European CraftsConference in September. There wereover 200 exhibits, ranging from ceramics,glass, wall hangings, enamels, to wood-turnings, lace, patchwork, andembroidery. Countries representedincluded Finland, Denmark, England,Norway, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland,Hungary, Holland, France, Sweden,Yugoslavia, Greece, Belgium, Scotland,Germany, Israel, Poland, Wales andIreland.

Apart from the dramatic effect of thehanging of large patchwork quilts highup around the central courtyard, theexhibition of the work of the manyinternational craftsmen suffered fromhaving to be representative of all thosetaking part, irrespective of their status,and from the pieces having to be of asize handy enough to be brought asbaggage. It was a valiant idea, however,and one suited to the occasion andwhen allowances are made for therestriction it put on itself and its beingspread over three unconnected locationsand so lacked cohesion, it succeeded.There were some memorable pieces:A wooden construction Day/Nightby Greek Patrick Contanzos, two smallfabric pictures by Noreen Daly, glass byJiri Subajek of Czechoslovakia, AllieKay's wool/silk suit, Phillip Murphy'ssilver scappio, Sylvia Federova's blackbobbin lace necklace, for instance.

Opening the exhibition, Professor JustinKeating, Chairman of the Crafts Councilwished a warm welcome and fruitfulwork to all the distinguished craftworkersfrom 19 countries present, and suggestedthat it was timely to take stock of thecrafts situation in Ireland with a glanceboth backwards and forwards.

"In many ways", he said "we havesuffered from the fact that we developedour economy more slowly than otherWestern European countries. But in thecraft area it was a plus, because manytraditional craftworkers, thatchers,wheelwrights, harness-makers, rush andbasket weavers, weavers, knitters andlacemakers, blacksmiths, carpentersand stonemasons have maintained anunbroken tradition extending back avery long way.

At last, late but hopefully not too late,we are beginning to look on thisrepository of craft skills as being asprecious as our heritage of folklore,

Patchwork Banners at PowerscourtTownhouse — European CraftsConference.

language and traditional music. Theextraordinary burst of artistic creativitywhich announced and paralleled theemergence of a new State just over 60years ago was mainly in the field ofword arts, and it is only recently thatwe have seen a like development in theplastics arts and in crafts".

Professor Keating suggested thatimportant changes were taking placein Irish crafts and that quality was risingrapidly. He viewed the improvement inthe Crafts Council's structure, alwaysrelatively good, as preluding a dramaticincrease in support for the Council."We have", he continued "been calledon by the Government to produce along-term strategic plan for the develop-ment of crafts in Ireland. I will not nowpre-empt what will be over the comingwinter a lengthy and deep discussion bythe crafts sector, but I expect that themajor needs of the craftworkers aresimilar everywhere".

Public awareness, and a cherishing ofcrafts by the public at large he saw asan essential background to success."Many pressure groups compete for aplace in public consciousness, and indeedin public spending patterns. A continuouseffort extending from curriculumformation and primary school experience,through the purchasing policies of majorpublic and private institutions, andextending right into all the media on aday-to-day basis is unavoidable, as isincreased effort in the matter ofexhibitions and collections.

All these things are possible. If over thenext half year, the Crafts Council comes

up with a plan which is simultaneouslyvisionary and realistic, I am convincedthat the support we need from bothGovernment and the private sectorwill be provided."

In conclusion Professor Keating feltthat every child as well as every adulthas the right and the need to livesurrounded by objects which arebeautiful and which bear the marksof having been made in one place,one day, by a recognisable human being,which bear the marks of human handsand which are made with love and passionas well as skill.

JEWELLERY AND SILVERSMITHINGEXHIBITIONThe Modern Gallery in Kilkenny Castlewas the setting for a tour de force of arexhibition during the European CraftsConference. The exhibition, hosted bythe Kilkenny Art Gallery Society, was theCollege Diploma Show of LoughboroughCollege of Art and Design in England.

One might have been tempted to dismissthe exhibition because it was just anothercollege diploma show, but it would havebeen a grave error of judgement. Thiswas a show which one hopes everyprofessional jeweller and silversmith inthis country has seen, which no studentaspiring to a diploma should have missedand which should have been compulsoryviewing for all lecturers in our ArtColleges. The latter might ponder; thestudents aspire or despair; theprofessionals could hardly all feel secure,for there were lessons for all in thesheer quality of the craftsmanship andthe variety and colour and imagination ofthe works on show from the barbaricsplendour of gold to the most delicateof refractory works, from skilledenamelling to creations of greatimagination and wit.

One hopes that this diploma show wasthat of outstanding vintage: it wouldbe a most sobering thought if it werenot.

EVERYDAY WORKThe Kilkenny Crafts Guild, not satisfiecwith mounting one fine exhibition inthe Town Hall for Arts week, alsomounted another exhibition a fewweeks later in the Shee Alms House.This, entitled 'Everyday Work', wasjust that: outstanding examples ofeveryday work by the members of theGuild. It was mounted to coincidewith the European Crafts Conferenceand was opened by Shane McAuley,Projects Manager of IDA Small

Industries Division and also Vice-Chairman of the Crafts Council, before a gathering of the European and other craftsmen who had come to Kilkenny for the various workshops taking place there and around the adjacent county in leather, glass, silversmithing, jewellery and batik. The visitors were to see fine examples of the work of their hosts. It was a pity that it was not possible to mount sub­sequently and adjacently some work created by the workshops which would have been anything but everyday work. It was a well mounted exhibition of no startling works — one did not expect that. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and, being a selling exhibition, it deserved to sell well.

THE HANDWEAVERS GUILD OF CORK mounted an exhibition of members' work to mark the European Crafts Conference. The Municipal Gallery in Cork was the setting. The items on display were all competently crafted, but the gallery was perhaps not a sufficiently intimate setting to show them at their best as a total exhibition rather than a gathering of individual works. Competent rather than brilliant, orthodox rather than wildly exploratory, the exhibition was worth the effort and reflected a very active group sincerely concerned to understand their craft, to share development and to show to the public a very acceptable range of skills and works.

WOODEN BOXES ON EXHIBITION To coincide with the visit to Ireland of craftsmen and delegates to the European Crafts Conference, the Kilkenny Shop mounted an exhibition of forty specially commissioned wooden boxes from eight Irish craftsmen.

The boxes were made from twenty-five different timbers ranging from bog oak to Brazilian Kingwood to reflect the diverse international character of the Conference.

The boxes were on sale and the exhibition was a complete sell out.

The exhibition is open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily except Sundays at the Kilkenny Shop, Dublin, 7-21 September and at the Kilkenny Shop, Kilkenny, 27 September — 9 October.

In recent years woodturning skills have been considerably increased in Ireland through the holding of several seminars led by distinguished overseas craftsmen, including Richard Raffan, Mike O'Donnell and Ray Key and organised

by the Woodturners Guild. Guild members recent successes include Nial Fitzduff winning the Crafts Council's silver medal at the RDS National Crafts Competition and Liam O'Neill winning the Muriel Gahan IR£1,000 Scholarship or Development Award.

KILKENNY CRAFT GUILD EXHIBITION At the opening of the Kilkenny Crafts Guild exhibition connected with Kilkenny Arts Week in August, Mr. Eddie Collins, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Energy spoke of the upsurge and interest in crafts in recent years which he found a heartening sign that we are, as a country, prepared to recognise the quality and style in the making of things and the central importance of the individual craftsperson.

" I t is" the Minister said "a sign of our maturing taste that crafts are no longer thought of as souvenirs, artefacts that illustrate a culture, but more often seen nowadays as an integral part of our life­style."

The change in awareness he saw as not having taken place without the dedication of the craftspeople to the achievement of the highest standard in their work and the contribution made by the development agencies and in particular the Crafts Council. "The Crafts Council of Ireland can play an even more important role in the future to ensure that the unique dynamism and potential of the crafts sector to expand and grow can be fully exploited."

The Minister pointed out that the Council has begun the preparation of a 5/10 year development plan for the crafts sector and went on to say " I look forward very much to receiving the Council's proposals when they are complete and can assure you that I look to this strategy to produce a frame work within which the state resources can be efficiently used to bring about maximum development in this sector. In embarking on the preparation of an ambitious development plan of this nature it is imperative that all those agencies, guilds and other interests concerned with the development of the crafts sector should be consulted. I am very glad to note that the Crafts Council has already embarked on this consultation process."

The exhibition, which was held in the town hall, featured the work of members of the guild and, since the guild has as members some of the leading craftsmen in the country the quality of the items on exhibit was high.

STUDIO CERAMICS Studio potters everywhere will be interested in this exhibition which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Craftsmen Potters Association.

The Craftsmen Potters Association celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary this year. This national grouping of leading British professional studio potters has in this period seen a considerable broadening of interest and widening of horizons in both potters and purchaser alike. The range of potters within the C.P.A. membership is now spread across the whole spectrum, from the humble brown mug to the most advanced sculptural work.

The exhibition consists of nearly 200 pieces by some 100 potters. The work was all made within the last year. The aim of the exhibition is to present, through works of top quality, the complete range of the studio potters craft as at present practised in Britain. The variety of works is startling; from sturdy storage jars to fine porcelain bowls, from plant pots to ocarinas, from unglazed textures to brilliant dazzling coloured glazes: Quality is the unifying theme.

The exhibition, at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London runs from 5th October to 27th November.

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EURO CONFERENCE

The European Crafts Conference is overand we hope to publish in the next issueof Newsletter reports from some of theworkshop leaders. However, it would bewrong to let this issue go without somecomment.

The whole event could be likened to thebaking of a cake. Marion McGowan,seconded to the Crafts Council by theIDA, organised the basic ingredients:those arranged venues, willing workshophosts, and distinguished workshop leadersfrom all over Europe and even the USA,found accommodation for them all,together with the participants(professional craftsmen from most of theEuropean countries) and then put themtogether in the workshop bowl.

The mixing of the cake, the realinteraction of ingredients, was done bythe craftsmen themselves. They cametogether in eighteen'different workshopsfrom Galway to Schull, from Dublin toInistioge, they pooled their experience,their different interpretations, and underthe guidance of the leaders, sometimescatalysts, sometimes teachers, theycreated things which were different fromtheir usual work. In some cases groupsworked on a single project and in othersthey produced individual pieces whichwere innovative to the maker and inspiredby the leader, the location and the otherparticipants. Some of the results may

Anne Marie Shillito, leader of theworkshop on refractory metals explainingthe process

have looked a bit crazy to outsiders butwere, nevertheless, a vital act of free butdisciplined expression from whichparticipants took home, if not the objectthen the vital experience.

The cake, so to speak, was put in theoven with the dispersal of the participantsto their homes. It is now cooking. Nonecan yet say what the result will be. So farwe know that everyone learnt something.Many were delighted with theirexperience, some maybe a bitunimpressed but everyone agreed theygained. At this moment craftsmen all overEurope are back in their workshopsmaking things. The things that they makewill reflect their own thoughts but these,now, will hopefully include the Irish

experience. One group, the Ballyvaughantextile workshop, has already decided tocome together in six months with anexhibition of the tangible results of their

•workshop, when these have been made.Another, the Rossmore textile workshopis working on a video of its work sincethe combined creations of craftsmen,trees, grass, rocks, wind, rain and a. weirdassortment of 'things' cannot be shown inany other form once the event is over.

Most of the results, however, may hardlybe visible on the outside but thestimulation of ideas (for administrators aswell as craftsmen) in people's minds, isthere - the future will reveal it.

Markku Piri, Finland, leader of theTextile Print workshop in Dublin

4

Peter Wenger, leader of the batikworkshop in Kilkenny — EuropeanCrafts Conference

The Architectural Ceramic workshopNational College of Art & Design,which was led by Lillemor Petersson,Sweden

LORD MAYOR'SRECEPTIONThe Lord Mayor of Dublin, AldermanMichael Keating T.D., was host at areception on September 14th held inthe Royal College of Surgeons forparticipants in the Administration work-shop at the European CraftsConference. Delegates came fromNorway, UK, Wales, Sweden,Denmark, France, Holland, Belgium,Finland, Poland and Czechoslovakia.

The workshop itself examined thestructures of the various craftadministrative groups in Europewhether formally set up as CraftsCouncils or as having craftresponsibilities within other groupsrelating to such disciplines asindustrial design.

The real meat of the workshop tookplace in the afternoon session when itexamined the responsibilities facingcraft administrators in a worldwidechanging economic situation wherestructural unemployment appearspermanent.

The need for conferences on a regularbasis as was continuity of workshopactivities, was considered important.In particular the organisation of singletheme international workshops with aproper follow up so that benefitswould overflow national boundaries.

The possibility for a valid functioningEurope wide organisation built fromthe bottom up on the basis of realfunction was seen to now exist due tothe growth and consolidation of theconstituent national units and this wasseen as not necessarily having worldwide connections.

It was generally agreed that Nationalorganisations wishing to do so shoulddraft plans for the crafts in theircountries to cover a 5-7 year span andthat national organisations shouldexchange and seek to co-ordinate suchplans to have an agreed single draft fordiscussion at the 1985 Conference.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, AldermanMichael Keating T.D., with Miss BlanaidReddin and Mr. John Vedel-Rieper,Danish Crafts Council, at a receptionfor members of the AdministrationWorkshop.

STATE RECEPTIONSt. Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle was afitting setting for the State Receptiongiven by the Minister of Industry andEnergy, Mr. John Bruton for theparticipants, workshop leaders andothers involved in the European CraftsConference. The colourful heraldicbanners of the Knights of St. Patrickwere reminiscent of the patchworkhangings seen earlier in the Powers-court Townhouse Exhibition and thebanners produced in the textile printworkshop — all providing an appropriatesetting to the colourful mix of Europeancraftsmen, administrators and Ministers,and European Members of Parliament.It was an occasion to be remembered,especially as it was the first comingtogether of all the craftsmen who hadtaken part in the various workshops —Che first opportunity to see the fulldimensions of the European CraftsConference which up to that pointhad been a series of scattered groupsvery much doing their own work andalmost unaware of the others doing thesame, It was an important occasion andone felt it.

St. Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle wherethe State Reception was held duringthe European Crafts Conference.

KILWORTH TO DENMARK

The City of Copenhagen Polytechnicoffered to two of this year's KilworthCraft Workshop's participants GabrielleO'Connor and Heather McFadden theopportunity to participate in four coursesin the period 10th October/16thDecember. The courses for the twosilversmith/jewellers will be stone-setting,engraving, chasing and enamelling. Thecourses were offered free of course feesby the noted silversmith 1b Andersenwho is Head of Department and who hadled one of the workshops during theEuropean Crafts Conference and had seenthe work of both girls at first hand sincethey participated in his workshop.

The acceptance of this wonderfulopportunity was made possible by theimmediate and very flexible attitude ofAnCO to this aspect of their grant aidedprogramme in Kilworth, and to theircooperation with the Crafts Council.

Ib Andersen, workshop leader of theSilversmithing workshop, with GabrielleO'Connor.

THE DERRYNAFLAN CHALICE

CRAFTS IN SWEDEN

The Experiment in International Living isa worldwide, non-profit organisationwhich promotes international andintercultural understanding. It wasfounded in 1932 and since then it hasbeen making it possible for thousands ofpeople of all ages and backgrounds tolearn to live together by living together.

In 1984 the Experiment in InternationalLiving is offering a selection of Craftsprogrammes to Sweden.

HANDICRAFT - one or two weekhomestay with a practicing craftsperson.Possibilities include TEXTILE DYEING- (end Aug. - Sept.), WOODCARVING,POTTERY or WEAVING (Sept. to midDec. or mid Jan. to May). Craftspersonswho participate stay with Swedishpersons.

£160 for two-week homestay, £100 forone-week homestay.Air Fares through the US IT office £300approximately.

The programme is available to everyoneinterested in crafts — students etc.

Further details and Application Formsavailable from The Experiment inInternational Living (056) 41127 orDublin (01)829284.The Experiment in International Living,Byrnesgrove School,Ballyragget,Co. Kilkenny.

DUBLIN WORKSHOP SPACEThe Crafts Gallery at PowerscourtTownhouse will have two units availablefor rent, one almost immediately and oneat the end of the year. They are mostanxious to have a potter in residence asone of the units is geared for potteryuse.

The units are approximately 300 sq. ft.in a prime location in the Centre ofDublin with a good public throughput.

Depending on the circumstances, therent can attract an IDA grant of 45%.

Details from Pat O'Byrne at theCraftsmans Gallery, PowerscourtTownhouse, South William Street,Dublin 2.

In February, 1980, a hoard ofecclesiastical silver was found near theruins of an Early Christian church atDerrynaflan, about 9 miles fromCashel, Co. Tipperary. The hoardconsisted of a chalice, a paten togetherwith its stand or foot-ring, a strainer anda bronze basin. Following restoration inthe British Museum, the chalice and thestrainer are once again on display in theNational Museum of Ireland.

The chalice is lavishly ornamented witha band of gold filigree panels girdling thebowl just below the rim, gold filigree onthe handles and their escutcheons, onthe stem, on the foot just below thestem and onthe rim of the foot. Thefiligree panels depict animals, birdsand more rarely abstract designs ofknotwork. In construction and lay-outof ornament, the chalice is closelycomparable to the Ardagh Chalice.Like the Ardagh Chalice, theDerrynaflan Chalice would havebeen used for dispensing theCommunion wine to the congregation.

The Chalice can be dated to the 9thcentury A.D.

The Strainer is a plain bronze ladlein which is fitted a decorativelyperforated strainer plate. Decorativemounts have been added to the rimof the bowl, the strainer plate handleand the terminal of the handle. Becauseof its size in relation to the chalice, itis unlikely that the strainer would havebeen used to strain altar wine exceptin a symbolic act as part of theEucharist liturgy. It can be dated to the8th century A.D.

CERAMIC BIENNALE

The 1984 International Ceramic Biennalein Vallauris in France is aimed atencouraging the production of originalceramic artworks. The exhibition ofchosen work will be held at Vallaurisfrom July to September. Two worksmay be submitted by prospective entrants.Application forms, which must reachthe Biennale Committee by January10th next are available from the BiennaleCommittee, Mairie de Vallauris, 06220Vallauris, France.

RDS COMPETITION

The Crafts Council of Ireland's silver medal was awarded to N.I. woodturner Nial Fitzduff of Co. Tyrone. The California Gold medal was won by Carol Mackey for a christening robe.

The main prizewinners in the different categories were as follows:

Functional ceramics: Michael Jackson Decorative/sculptural ceramics: Vivienne

Foley. Glass: Rosemary Phelan Metalwork: Jonathan Fyffe Gold and Silverwork: Desmond Byrne Jewellery: Desmond Byrne Enamelling: Shelagh Magee Objects made in wood: Nial Murphy, Nial

Fitzduff,.Liam O'Neill Musical Instruments: James O'Callaghan Rod/rush/straw: Joan Norman

SANDYMOUNT GROUP

During the Community Week festivities in Sandymount from 21st-28th May last the Sandymount Crafts Group organised a Craft Fair in Christchurch Hall, Sandymount Green. The idea was to generate interest in crafts and to allow local people show their work, as well as providing a means for selling their work or taking orders.

EXHIBITION

The Guinness Workers Fund will hold a pre-Christmas selling exhibition of work by client craftsmen in St. James's Gate Brewery on 28th, 29th November. Many leading craftsmen have been involved at an early stage in their careers with the Guinness Workers Fund. The exhibition is open to the public and could well be worth a visit.

ART CRAFT DESIGN FAIR

Mansion House, Dublin 7-11th December. The Newsletter has been advised that there has been a huge demand for stands from craftworkers all over the country. The quota for crafts has been filled and no further applications from craftworkers can be accepted. Craftworkers are welcome at the Fair and can meet with the organisers who will be delighted to talk with them about it.

Floor rugs: Mary O'Rourke Weaving/knee rugs etc: Rena Fleming Woven lengths: Alice Roden Constructed hangings/tapestry etc:

Deirdre French Constructed hangings/experimental:

Gerda Teljeur Fabric printing/length: Jeannaret Fay Fabric printing/panel: Anne McNulty Limerick Lace. Ellen Vaughan Carrickmacross Lace. Sheila Reagan Irish Crochet: Margaret McGuinness Other Lace: Jane Coulton Decorative Embroidery: Marion Young Patchwork: Joan Girdham Woven/embroidered etc. articles for

ceremonial use: Carol Mackey Woven/embroidered etc. other garments.

Margaret Malone.

The IR£1,000 Muriel Gahan Scholarship or Development Grant was awarded to woodturner Liam O'Neill'.

The success of this first Crafts Fair has encouraged the Committee of Sandymount Crafts Group to sponsor a Christmas Fair in the same Hall on Sandymount Green on the 2nd-3rd of December next. Craft workers who are interested in participating should contact: Jacqueline McKay, 13 Beach Drive, Sandymount, Dublin 4. Tel: 685581.

Angela Forte, a young weaver who graduated from the Craft Council's Kilworth Craft Workshops earlier this year and is now in her own studio in the Pearse Street Enterprise Centre has been given a commission to make a tapestry for AnCO's head office in Baggot Street.

Craft workers in Northside Dublin 1 area are invited to contact Noelle Clery, Institute of Irish Studies, at 9 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1, tel: 01-744553 in connection with the forming of a craft co-operative.

Part time teaching will be available as well as studio space.

Fabrics: weaving, knitting, batik, leather, ceramics, glass, woodworking, metal working, jewellery, design.

VI O'SULLIVAN It is with deep regret that the Newsletter notes the death, since the last issue of Vi O'Sullivan, who was such a major influence in the development of studio crafts in this country. It was through her efforts that the quality of crafts was lifted out of the depths of leprechaunery to a level where the World General Assembly in Dublin in 1970 and many of the 600 delegates could find their equals among our craftsmen. The exhibition of Irish crafts held at that time in the new Library at TCD was nothing to be ashamed of and the prize­winners were worthy of the international acclaim they got. Vi O'Sullivan was one of the small band who encouraged the WCC to come to Dublin in 1970. It is sad to think that she missed the European Crafts Conference last month which, with the many workshops operating around the country, would have let her see the strength of the crafts sector today.

A craftswoman in her own right, she deserves to be remembered by everyone in the crafts sector, many of whom may not realise how much they are in her debt.

SLIDE PACK An experiment in producing a reasonably priced slide-pack within a tight budget, in order to meet a limited demand, has just been successfully completed.

The slide-pack, based on the exhibition "Dublin through the Eye of a Needle" was prepared with a view to providing an Irish based visual aid related to the leaving certificate Art/Craft/Design curriculum.

The pack was launched by means of a subscription list, and volunteers undertook to collect names of would be subscribers attending art teachers meetings during the 1982/83 school year. When the target for the minimum viable order for slide copying was reached, the money was called in and the pack was then processed.

The Crafts Council provided the necessary back up organisation to the voluntary work and looked after the administration. Thanks are due to Bord Failte for the original excellent set of slides, and to the R.D.S. for making possible the'embroidery exhibition on which the slide-pack was based.