Dots and Whips

Learn the language of lace from the devoted women keeping the highly skilled art of Carrickmacross Lace alive

Meet the women whose devoted work is keeping alive the skill of Carrickmacross lace. Learn the history and language of lace through the demonstrations captured in this film by Roy Spence. Drawing inspiration from their surroundings this craft is a rewarding addition to their varied lives and a valuable contribution to the future. The Lace Guild of Northern Ireland continue to pass on these lace making skills to a new generation at the Ulster Folk Museum.

As rural ways of life were engulfed by an ever more industrialised North the Ulster Folk Museum was born from a 1958 act of parliament. It continues to create a lively world of artefacts to preserve disappearing traditions for future generations. Visitors can experience the buildings, tools and crafts of the past from the weaver’s loom to the blacksmith's forge. Twin brothers Roy and Noel Spence have been making films for over fifty years; with subjects including crafty leprechauns, creatures from outer space, and the undead. You can enjoy many of these fantastical creations and more of Roy’s craft documentaries on BFI Player. This film is courtesy of Roy Spence and is held in the Irish Film Archive.