Tag: Kinvara Handcraft Co-op

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Kinvara Handcraft Co-op – 1968

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 27th December, 1968 p.21 (abridged)

Connacht Tribune 24th September, 1971
Connacht Tribune 24th September, 1971

The Secretary of the Kinvara Handcrafts Society, Mr. Toddie Byrne, said last week that they now intend to launch out into crochet making.  Mrs. Michael Corless of The Square, Kinvara, is busy designing wool crochet dresses and caps.  Another product will be rush-work for which they’ve been inundated with offers from local women and women from neighbouring parishes.  Up to now, he said, they had decided not to deal with rush-work because of involvement in the making of Aran jumpers and cardigans.
At present they have over two hundred of these garments in stock.  Buyers from England have bought some of the local garments and a letter has been received by the Society from a housewife in England expressing appreciation of the workmanship, the pattern and potential market for these traditional garments.  A small consignment has been dispatched to America.  Negotiations are in progress for the purchase of a site for the construction of a display centre and offices in the town of Kinvara where a permanent staff will take charge of the daily affairs of the co-operative.  A special display of the hand-made garments will take place in early February in the town for the benefit of buyers from Canada who are expected to make a great impression on the sales of the fine garments.

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Posted in Posts and podcasts

Kinvara Handcraft Co-op – 1968

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 20th September, 1968 p.7

Photo: Connacht Tribune 24th September, 1971 p.5

Photo: Connacht Tribune 24th September, 1971 p.5

The first meeting of the shareholders of the Kinvara Handcraft Co-op was held in Kinvara recently. There are 139 shareholders who hold twenty shares at £1 each.
The steering committee outlined the steps taken to date and surveyed the possibilities which lay ahead. Mr. John Tobin, I.A.O.S. addressed the meeting and spoke highly of the great response to a worthwhile idea. He went on to say that he had no doubt but that with continued local co-operation and shrewd management this venture would be an asset not alone to Kinvara but to a broad hinterland in South Galway and North Clare. By encouraging the growth of the handcraft industry and by taking viable steps to promote agriculture and tourism, this Co-operative could very well be a boon to the economy of the area.
Rev. Fr. C. O’Connor, C.C., presiding chairman, thanked Mr. Tobin and all who had contributed to the initial development.
The following management committee was elected who at their first subsequent meeting elected the officers:
Very Rev. B. Mulkerrins, P.P. (Patron);
Rev. C. O’Connor, C.C. (Chairman);
Mr. Sean McMahon, N.T. (Vice-chairman);
Mr. Toddie Byrne, N.T. (Secretary);
Mr. Kieran Moylan, N.T. (Treasurer);
Messrs. Patrick Bermingham, Gerry Ryan, Thomas Donlon, N.T., Paddy Kavanagh and B. Connors.
The ‘Aran’ knitting has been the theme of a number of meetings held in the parish and the response to date from within and outside the parish, augurs well for the success of the Co-op. The rate of 2/2 per ounce offered, plus participation in a bonus scheme, compares more than favourably with other such concerns.
Mrs. J. T. Bugg will control this aspect as distributor, finisher, quality controller, and pattern designer.
A meeting of the ladies of the parish is scheduled to discuss other aspects of handcraft, such as rushwork, crochet work, and souvenir making.
The securing of a site or premises to be used as a display centre is also receiving attention. Negotiations are in progress with Córas Tráchtála and other concerns with a view to marketing the finished products. Co-operation with other Co-ops such as Cloonfad and Strokestown is taking place. Continued guidance and support is promised from the I.D.A., Bord Failte and the County Galway Development Team.