'Meet the Authors' Nora Finnegan, The Lace Story

In 1989, when Nora Finnegan got involved with Kenmare Lace, it was no longer in production, and had not been for some time. She soon discovered however, that there were only three nuns familiar with the techniques at St. Clares’ Convent in Kenmare. As the 1980’s were an economically depressed time in Ireland, a local development association was formed in an attempt to improve matters in the area.

Nora’s involvement in this project led her to St. Clares’ convent where she asked Sr. Frances to teach the lace to a group of interested local women. Sr. Frances declined, but said ‘I will show you and you can pass it on’.