Mountmellick Embroidery Museum

Mountmellick Embroidery Museum The main exhibit in the Museum is Mountmelick Work, Irish white on white embroidery originating in the early 1800's.

for those of you interested in Genealogy, the Museum has a vast database of Quaker records dating back to mid 1600's. The quiet residential town of today belies Mountmellick’s rich history. Once a 17th century Quaker settlement, it developed into a thriving industrial town in the 1800’s – culminating in it being called the “Manchester of Ireland”. Mountmellick today is better known for lending its

name to the unique form of Irish “White on White” embroidery called Mountmellick Work. Created in 1825 to assist the poor, Johanna Carter’s ‘new’ style combined the draughting and embroidery skills usually taught to cultured ladies of that period. Her rendering of realistic floral designs, perfectly balanced by the quiet white elegance of the stitches appealed to the simple taste of the 19th century Quakers. Decades of women since have been connected by white cotton threads encrusted on White Satin Jean. Heirlooms of bed coverlets; pillow shams; children’s dresses and tablecloths survive today, passing on an age old tradition from one generation to the next……

26/05/2026
HELP US STITCH HISTORY! 🧵✨We are so proud of the incredible work our community has contributed to the Mountmellick Embro...
19/05/2026

HELP US STITCH HISTORY! 🧵✨

We are so proud of the incredible work our community has contributed to the Mountmellick Embroidery Commemorative Piece so far.

Now, we need your help to design its heart.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have updated our upcoming schedule:

📅 The "Big Design" Day: Saturday, 23rd May | 10am – 4pm
📍 Location: Upstairs, Mountmellick Development Association (MDA) R32 A0PK

Please email [email protected] to book your spot.

We want YOUR stitches on this historic piece!

This full-day session on May 23rd is all about collaboration. We will be brainstorming and designing the 3D centerpiece together, deciding how to showcase every singular piece contributed by the community. 🌸

Whether you are a master stitcher or have never held a needle, your ideas and your hands are needed.

Please bring with you the pieces you've done already or the patterns you have started 🙏 as a part of our Big Design.

Please note that you can bring your own lunch on the day for break or you can go to the Hares Corner Restaurant next door, the tea/coffee will be provided!

📩 How to join: Send us a DM or email [email protected] to secure your spot for the full-day planning session.

Let’s create something that will be a legacy for generations to come.
🤍

A Night of Harmony and Heritage in Mountmellick 🎶✨The Wesley Choir (Birmingham, UK) will make a welcome return to Mountm...
29/04/2026

A Night of Harmony and Heritage in Mountmellick 🎶✨

The Wesley Choir (Birmingham, UK) will make a welcome return to Mountmellick on Friday, 8th May 2026. 🎤

The choir will perform a beautiful selection of popular favourites and uplifting gospel songs. 🎵

The evening will also feature:

Local speakers sharing insights into Mountmellick’s heritage of faith.
A performance of poetry by students from Mountmellick Community School

Schedule & Location 📍

Date: Friday, 8th May 2026
Time: The event will start with a pre-concert reception at the Hare's Corner restaurant commencing at 7:00 pm.
The concert will start at 8:00 PM in the MDA building. 🎶

Where: The MDA building, Irishtown, Mountmellick, County Laois. R32 A0PK 📍

Admission: €10 (Pay at the door)

The event is hosted by Beverley Barbour, Methodist Lay Worker.
Tel: 087 934 7910 📞

The money raised will support the Mountmellick Embroidery and Heritage Museum. 🧵🏛️

Tel: (057) 862 4525 📞
email: [email protected]📧

Headline: HELP US STITCH HISTORY! 🧵✨We are so proud of the incredible work our community has contributed to the Mountmel...
14/04/2026

Headline: HELP US STITCH HISTORY! 🧵✨

We are so proud of the incredible work our community has contributed to the Mountmellick Embroidery Commemorative Piece so far.

Now, we need your help to design its heart.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have updated our upcoming schedule:

📅 Next Workshop: Saturday, 2nd May | 2pm – 4pm
📍 Location: Upstairs, Mountmellick Development Association (MDA) R32 A0PK
Please email [email protected] to book your spot.

📅 The "Big Design" Day: Saturday, 23rd May | 10am – 4pm
📍 Location: Upstairs, Mountmellick Development Association (MDA) R32 A0PK

We want YOUR stitches on this historic piece!
This full-day session on May 23rd is all about collaboration. We will be brainstorming and designing the 3D centerpiece together, deciding how to showcase every singular piece contributed by the community. 🌸

Whether you are a master stitcher or have never held a needle, your ideas and your hands are needed.

There will be a lunch break from 12.30am to 1.30pm and people can either bring their own lunch or go to the Hares Corner Restaurant next door.

📩 How to join: Send us a DM or email [email protected] to secure your spot for the full-day planning session.

Let’s create something that will be a legacy for generations to come.
🤍

Join the Next WorkshopMembers of the public are invited to join the next session and contribute to this growing legacy:M...
13/04/2026

Join the Next Workshop

Members of the public are invited to join the next session and contribute to this growing legacy:

Mountmellick Development Association, R32A0PK
Date: Saturday 2nd May (rescheduled from 18th April)
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Skill Level: All levels welcome. Even those who have never threaded a needle will receive expert guidance and leave with the skills to practice their first stitches at home.

Come witness the beauty of Mountmellick Embroidery and help us piece together a unique part of our community’s history.

Bookings: [email protected]
Telephone: 057 8624 525

Mountmellick Community Unites to Stitch HistoryThe Mountmellick Embroidery Workshops are enjoying a remarkable resurgenc...
07/04/2026

Mountmellick Community Unites to Stitch History

The Mountmellick Embroidery Workshops are enjoying a remarkable resurgence, with over 40 participants attending the most recent session. The workshops brought together a diverse group, ranging from complete novices to accomplished stitchers, all contributing to a special commemorative project.
The atmosphere was one of mentorship and community spirit, as experienced embroiderers shared traditional techniques with those new to the craft. A significant highlight of the afternoon was the progress made on the Commemorative Piece, which now features stitches from residents of all skill levels.In a special show of local unity ahead of Easter, Rev. Lesley Robinson and Fr. Micheal Murphy joined the workshop to sit side-by-side and add their own stitches to the collective work.

The organizers said:
"We are delighted to see such engagement with this traditional craft. The relaxed atmosphere and the willingness of experts to guide beginners has made this a truly inclusive project. We are also incredibly grateful to the Mountmellick Credit Union; their generous sponsorship is what allows us to host these community afternoons.
The public is invited to become part of this local legacy by attending the upcoming workshops. No prior experience is necessary, and all are welcome to try their hand at the stitches that will form this wonderful community piece."

Event Details:
Dates: Saturday, 11th April and Saturday, 18th April

Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Upstairs at the Mountmellick Development Association (MDA)Booking: Places are limited.

Please book in advance to secure your spot.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353 57 8624 525

Community Commemorative Piece Takes Shape as Mountmellick Embroidery Workshops FlourishMOUNTMELLICK, CO. LAOIS – The int...
18/03/2026

Community Commemorative Piece Takes Shape as Mountmellick Embroidery Workshops Flourish

MOUNTMELLICK, CO. LAOIS – The intricate art of Mountmellick Embroidery continues to weave a new generation of crafters together following another successful workshop on Saturday, 14th March 2026.

The event saw a diverse gathering of enthusiasts, including returning regulars and new faces travelling from as far as the Isle of Man, London, and across various counties in Ireland.

A significant milestone was reached during the afternoon when a participant presented her finished work to the group.
This contribution will now be placed at the heart of the ongoing Community Commemorative Piece, a collective project that is rapidly evolving into a stunning testament to local heritage.

The organizers wish to extend their sincere gratitude to the volunteer tutors: Lucy, Frances, and Noreen, who freely share their expertise to ensure this traditional craft continues to thrive.

Special thanks are also due to Rev. Lesley Robinson and the Church of Ireland Community in Mountmellick for the generous loan of their historic altar cloth and various embroidery pieces, which have provided vital inspiration over the past three weeks.

Join the Next Workshop

Members of the public are invited to join the next session and contribute to this growing legacy:

Date: Saturday, 28th March 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Skill Level: All levels welcome. Even those who have never threaded a needle will receive expert guidance and leave with the skills to practice their first stitches at home.

Come witness the beauty of Mountmellick Embroidery and help us piece together a unique part of our community’s history.

We in the MDA were delighted with the fantastic turn out for our 2nd Saturday session of Mountmellick Embroidery.It was ...
13/03/2026

We in the MDA were delighted with the fantastic turn out for our 2nd Saturday session of Mountmellick Embroidery.

It was another lovely evening welcoming the public from various parts of Ireland to explore the beautiful stitches. Some were new and were guided by our Tutor Lucy and volunteer stitchers. Some experienced stitchers were busy working on various patterns provided. Others added stitches to our commemorative piece to mark the 200th Anniversary. This piece is shaping up beautifully aiming to showcase the numerous array of stitches.

Refreshments were enjoyed with a few Lenten promises already broken! 😔

We are planning another evening on Saturday 14th March 2026 and look forward to seeing you.

Please ensure to book on our website.

A huge thank you to all our Volunteers for your continued support.
We are already looking forward to our next day and planning for it.

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for our stitching celebration!It was a wonderful day filled with creativity, laugh...
15/02/2026

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for our stitching celebration!
It was a wonderful day filled with creativity, laughter, and community spirit. A special shout-out to our youngest stitcher, 7-year-old Faidh, who brought such joy and enthusiasm to the event. 🧵
Swipe through to see some lovely moments from the day. 📸

01/12/2025

Address

MDA Business Park, Irishtown
Mountmellick
LAOIS,

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+353578624525

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