Clones Lace Museum

Clones lace making is a strong and vibrant tradition in the Drumlin countryside of West Monaghan and south Fermanagh. This beautiful and intricate art form has been passed from mother to daughter since the post-famine period of the 1850's, when there were over 1,500 lace makers in these small areas, supplying markets in Dublin, London, Paris Rome and New York. To-day, there are still a number of ladies making high quality items entirely by hand in the Clones area. Sales are handled in a restored canal building which was built at the same time as the Clones Lace was introduced. This building-The Ulster Canal Stores-also houses an innovative exhibition of antique lace and is open Mon-Fri 09.00 - 17.00 or by arrangement at any time.