A Hidden History of Fashion and Textiles in Ireland: a Critical Analysis of Cloth Finishing in Ireland in the mid- 20th Century

The research focuses on woollen cloth finishing in Ireland, a subject that has been neglected for decades, with terms like ‘fulling’ and ‘tentering’ having been discarded from the vernacular. My research aims to return finishing to its rightful place alongside its partner processes, spinning, dyeing and weaving. I will explore the role played by finishing, focusing on Kilmainham Mills whose business archive I have inherited. Kilmainham Mills is believed to be the last intact fulling mill, incorporating finishing processes, on the island of Ireland (Nolan, 2002) and acted a conduit between Irish hand-weavers, and couture salons, tailors and stores internationally.