Reviving Industries in Galway.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 23, 5 June 1902, Page 4

Reviving Industries in Galway.

It was in 1891 that the Sisters of Mercy at Gort, County Galway (writes Lady Gregory), determined to follow the example of the Sisters at Skibbereen, Queenstown.and other convents in an attempt to revive home or cottage industries. They did not receive much encouragement or sympathy at first. Even the friends who Knew what good work they had already done in teaching, in building schools, in making Gort justify the meaning of its name, 'a garden,' gravely and conscientiously warned them against the risks they were facing and the responsibility they were taking upon themselves. They had no capital, no experience in commerce, no connection with the world of fashion ; hut they had the courage to beg in a good cauße, and they had the faith that can move mountains. At last they were given eight hand-looms ; they sent to Belfast for yarn, and a teacher, afterwards replaced by one from the almost disused woollen looms in Gort, and Bet to work at linen weaving. They have some right to be proud of their success, for some time ago they carried out an order for richly-colored vestments of purple linen for the Bishop of the diocese. And having received an order from the editor of the Savoy Magazine for window hangings of the same Syrian dye, they feel themselves quite up-to-date and fin de siecle. But they also study the beauty of utility, and Sister Philomena, who is in charge of the workroom, touches as lovingly the huckaback towels and workhouse sheetings in the looms as she does the fine linen and delicate Limerick lace. For lace making is now being taught, and also with success, A marriage gift of handkerchiefs, sent to England the other day, held its own at the show of presents, and wis much appreciated. Some of the finest lace has been made by a girl who walks Fome miles from her home on the mountain side in the morning, and back again in the evening. The Sisters hope that after a time many of the girls who come and learn both this handicraft and the knittingembroidery and plain needlework bung also taught— will be able to work at home, and utilise their spare hours without interfering with their home duties. " ' We want to save them fiom the necessity of going toAmerica ' Sister Philomena Fays . 'Surely thcie should be \\oik for those who are willing to work at home.' By a swift and silent revolution a erreat many extra hours have been thrown on the hards of our people here in this generation. As it has been said of some distn. v m India, that railways have been laid down before pavtd ioad* had hem invented, so ln many cottages there has b> en no intermediate illumination between the dim peeled rush, dipped in tillow, and the vivid partffi'i lamp, lighting up the cheerful whitened rooo.s with ahno-t startling brilliancy. In the old dim dnys. the resource through the prolonged • blind man's holiday." was to sit round the fire and t* II stone-, often of the invisible fairy world. Now light has come, and while the men of the household content themselves wirn rereading the wei kly National papers, the girls will find time for moie p-iying occupation ; and an industiial training will more than ever be a boon to them. About 70 girls are now being employrd in the convent workroom. Some who have become pert, ct "in the hanrtioiaft taught. have gone elsewhere as teachers. Any girl w. o likts to come in from the country or from the town will be set to work, even if she has to be taught to hold a needle ; and after a little patient training it will be decided what line she lnd better follow The Sisters have --O far won their bittle They have succeeded in showing that Galway iinjroM can wmk as diligently and as delicately as the long-tr.uned fingers of Belfast or Limerick. Their work begins to be known, and orders to come in, and they trust that as these increase they may be able to train and employ many more workers.