Carrickmacross Veil

"My father was born in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan and frequently brought us to his home county to visit relations. Over the years I looked with interest at one of my cousins making lace and admired the finished pieces. The year before my daughter Amy made her First Holy Communion, 1983, I made a few trips to Carrickmacross and my cousin patiently taught me how to make lace. When I had mastered the basics I started making a veil. It was hard work requiring patience, concentration, good eyesight and perseverance. It was worth it and I felt a sense of achievement when I finished it. More importantly, Amy was delighted with her veil and wore it proudly on her Communion Day. Over the intervening years it has been wrapped in blue tissue paper and has not lost its bloom. "