The Glory of Lace making in Banada

By Padraic Neary

I recently visited Collins Barracks Museum, Dublin where I came across a bronze cannon taken from the sea at Streedagh, Co Sligo. Close by was an ancient map depicting the probable locations of Spanish Armada wrecks off the North West Coast of Ireland. The topography of the late 16th century mapmaking bears scant resemblance to the centimetre precise satellite plotted coastline of the present and precious little inland detail is shown on the ancient document. “The Abbey of Benada Leighne” however, stands proud and prominent along the banks of a very inaccurate outline of the river Moy. In the late 1500’s Banada was a place of sufficient Ecclesiastical importance in Europe to be listed on a very English Elizabethan map. 

Three centuries and a bit later, Banada reached a position of similar prominence on the European and English scene but for very different reasons. Instead of Theological or Religious scholarship, Benada achieved eminence for the beauty, design and excellence of its lace. In the early 20th century, south Sligo suffered greatly from poverty and lack of employment. The Sisters of Charity, who came to Banada three decades previously, realised something should be done to provide employment and income for the many destitute families of the area.