Category: Clothing

Maurice Smyth’s Christening robe, 1920s

Smyth family Christening gown: Charles and Elizabeth ( née McGowan) Smyth were Publicans from Dúnlaoghaire, owners of the town’s well loved Smyth’s Pub. The family have resided in Dún laoghaire since the mid 1800’s. Six children were born to Elizabeth and Charles, with Maurice their last baby boy being born in the 1930s. All six… Continue reading Maurice Smyth’s Christening robe, 1920s

McNulty girls, Greystones, Co Wicklow, Irish dancing costume 1960s+

“The costume, which fits a child aged approximately 5-7, was made by Maura Hoey, a dressmaker who lived in Blacklion. The Dublin blue wool and cream coloured bánín* wool material was purchased in Bray. Mum did all the embroidery, a skill she learned at the ICA** ( Irish Countrywomen’s Association) in Delgany.” *Irish Wool Báinín… Continue reading McNulty girls, Greystones, Co Wicklow, Irish dancing costume 1960s+

Ger Murphy’s Irish Dancing Costume 1970s

This is the Irish dancing costume that I wore when I was six years old in Ballyfermot, Dublin, over 60 years ago.  I wanted so badly to be an Irish dancer and tormented my poor mother for a dress, as all the other girls in the local Irish Dancing class had one.  My mother could… Continue reading Ger Murphy’s Irish Dancing Costume 1970s

Mary Kenny’s Irish Dancing Costume 1980s

A photo of Mary Kenny Feis ready, outside the Mansion House, Dublin. 1980s Mary wore this embroidered orange velvet Irish dancing costume in the 1980s, when she was nine years old and dancing with the Hogan School of Dance, Glasnevin, Dublin. And a record from our collection: Buntus Rince, Gael-Linn. Na Ceoltóiri, May Keogh and… Continue reading Mary Kenny’s Irish Dancing Costume 1980s

Lynsey McCarthy’s Irish Dancing Costume 1990s

Lynsey, dressed for a feis “I began dancing at the age of nine with Sandra O’Dea’s Irish Dancing School based in the Phibsboro / Glasnevin area. The school was part of An Comhdháil. I trained twice and sometimes three times a week, preparing myself for the feiseanna held every weekend. I worked my way up… Continue reading Lynsey McCarthy’s Irish Dancing Costume 1990s