Phase 2 of our “Leitrim Women Through Time” project, a collaboration with the North Leitrim Women’s Centre, recently kicked off with a special event exploring the important connection of the former Western Button Factory in Leitrim to the history of women in the county – many of whom first had the opportunity to work outside the home in that industry. The factory was a large source of employment for women in the region, and they filled many of its roles.
Women not working directly in the factory also carried out ‘piece work’ for it at home to earn extra money – by stitching the produced buttons onto display cards for shop sale. Our event featured a talk on the history of the factory by local historian Maureen Keaney, and was followed by many discussions and a craft workshop led by artist Mary Foley and featuring the use of original vintage buttons made in the Western Button Factory. It was wonderful to meet a number of the former factory workers, who shared their memories and experiences, and to view a large number of the original buttons made in the factory over its lifetime (1937 – 1972). People from the area raided their cupboards and button tins to bring out their small pieces of history for display and comparison!
Our unique button craft workshop was inspired by the stitching patterns used by the women who took on the ‘piece work’ of stitching the buttons to card in their homes, and our participants put their own mark on the button stitching traditions used by these women. We hope to combine the pieces created on the night to make a future commemorative artistic piece to remember all of the women who worked in the factory over its lifetime.
We were delighted with the success of the night, and our thanks are due to all who participated and who made it so special – we’re looking forward to another Leitrim women’s history event coming up next month! Phase 2 of the “Leitrim Women Through Time” project is supported by The Heritage Council Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023.
Scéal Heritage Consultancy 