Whatever Happened to Irish Linen?

This week we met up with our friend Jonny again, for a special tour of Ferguson's historic Irish Linen factory in Banbridge, Co. Down.
Join this channel's membership option to get access to perks:
/ @diaryofaditchwitch
To support upkeep and upgrade of channel:
www.buymeacoffee.com/DitchWitch
fergusonsirishlinen.com/
Music:
‘Gillespie’s Mazurka/The Baker’s Reel/The Calgary Polka’ - Zoe Conway & John McIntyre
'Eleanor Plunkett’ - James Gribbin
‘Somebody’s Wrong’ - Isham Jones Orchestra
‘Crazy Words, Crazy Tune’ - Frank Crumit
‘The Hallion’s Jig’ - Tara Tine & David Bellew

[@bernardmolloy4463]

Fun fact. The Irish term to “cop yourself on” comes from the old linen industry. Where people would start their days work by attempting to “cop” the thread on the spool (“cop” is an older alternative word for “catch”). In Ulster there is a similar term to “catch yourself on”. As “coping yourself on / catching yourself on” was a difficult task, when beginning your days work, the term made its way into everyday life to mean “get with the program”. There is a smiliar term in England to “cotton on to”, also meaning to “get with the program” and also comes from the linen industry.

[@kendall7041]

ah my goodness! I have an absolutely desperate obsession with linen (which was the beginning of my excursions into historical dress). This is the literal greatest, thank you so much for taking us along!

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Thank you, as always, for tuning in Kendall! I'm glad I'm not the only linen geek im the gaff 😬😍

[@youngbinsong8768]

Adorable Johnny!! 🥰🥰

[@savyjett]

How cool. Happy to see this mill still going!

[@stefanjakubowski8222]

This was awesome Ty from across the pond Blessed be

[@eileencregg6754]

This is lovely, Ill be checking out Ferguson's while still here US in New Hampshire, live 70 miles from Canada Border 💚💯🇮🇪🍀♂️💚

[@eileencregg6754]

Calling Mom at the Ferguson Irish Linen what a great day, 💯🇮🇪🍀♂️💚👀💚

[@dianewatier50]

Oh Tara Tara Tara being the ultimate fabric junky & especially linen ❤❤❤❤!!!! I had heart palpitations during the entire vlog. I can't tell you how much I LOVED this vlog. I will be watching this numerous. I was salivating over all those bolts of gorgeousness. I can't wait to see what you make with your purchases. Thank you to Johnny for allowing to visit 🙏😊! Beautifully done Tara once again 👍❤!!

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Thank you Diane! 😍 I knew you'd love this as much as me! I wanted to just dive in and swim around the samples floor! I've bought the special detergent today (no Optical Brightening Agents) to wash the lilac piece. I've dreamt all week of having special little pieces of theirs dotted all around my home some day, roll on the seconds website 😍

[@dianewatier50]

@@DiaryofaDitchWitch right after watching your vlog I went on their website 😍! How can one choose what to purchase, I will go back on the site this wkd to see if there is any affordable sales for my budget.

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@lisacollins8245]

Super fun video! Hoping the gift shop might be open by this summer. And that woven picture at the start was amazing, the gate blanket was beautiful.

[@willagrant7403]

Linen is my fav fabric, I have always wanted to visit Ireland & get some linen there. Thank you for this little documentary!

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Thank you Willa! Yes I LOVE Irish linen, hope to pick up a few pieces as we are closer to moving into our new house!

[@Seganach]

I make my own archery equipment. When it comes to bowstrings, Irish Linen is King!

[@idontbelieveyou]

Oh wow Tara. This was just the best. Maybe one of my favorites. I'm fabric obsessed. I have to admit being slightly let down when I heard that they don't use Irish flax, but understood completely why by the time Johnny had finished explaining. My grandparent's house was on a site that had a linen and yarn market from 1818. There was still a market happening there when I was a little girl, but it was farmers and mostly livestock. The fabric you got is exquisite!!! and I can't wait to see what you do w it. I love the handy tips too.. The building that now looks a warehouse w the glass ceiling is fantastic. I'd love to have a closer look at that system. I love the look of that old technology... how it has become art. Tara, I hope you go back! Thanks so much for the visit and thank you to Johnny too!

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Thanks a mill for that Susan! I'm so glad you liked 😍 Yes, Jonny actually explained almost all the stages of the process and the machinery involved, but the video would have been over an hour long if I'd shown it all....maybe a wee member's video on it when we reach the end of the Táin Read-Along? I'm planning one on the making of the costumes with Mammy among others when we start filming on location 😊

[@Jaimcferran]

Brilliant video, I love getting to see the inner workings, fab tour, and sure it’s only down the road too! 😅Will definitely check out their store!!! 😊

[@brandyjean7015]

I've always got my eye on old linen pieces when I go 2nd handing... I love the stuff.

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

I don't see it too often here, I really need a trip to France for the brocantes, but I'd like to collext as much Irish stuff as I can too!

[@theresad6990]

Loved this Tara! It was very interesting. I actually came across this your video when I was doing a YT search for how to care for Irish linen. My Da was from Gilford (born in 1917) and often spoke of the Gilford Mills. There were many family members that worked in the mills at some time or another. I can remember my mam and my aunt saying how they would put the linen out on the hedge or on the grass to let it dry in the sun to help keep it white. I have a load of old vintage Irish linens (sheets, table cloths, napkins, etc.) that I was fortunate enough to inherit. I want to start putting it to use again. I just need to find out what would be best to use for washing them so that I don't do them any harm. Thanks for this vid. It was brilliant!

[@multymedia5320]

brill video, very interesting. my home town. my dad has extensive knowledge of the linen industry and a bit of a collection of its machinery

[@eileencregg6754]

I live basically in the woods love, so Roscommon & Leitrim run in my Irish blood 💚♂️🍀🇮🇪💯

[@judithneilly8714]

The bird and moon fabric was used in the filming of Game of Thrones in the colour eau de nil.

[@pauricmurphy5925]

I'm interested in finding out about hemp fibre and who could make something using hemp?

[@jonathanneilly775]

We weave hemp, and hemp/linen blends, too ☺

[@amandadiamond7147]

If you ever want to really mess with an American when they pick up the phone, just say "we're trying to reach you about your car's extended warantee".

[@amandagosling7622]

Ah your poor mammy 🤣🤣

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

She's the wind-up queen though, taught me everything I know haha And it was just too good an opportunity to pass up 😆

[@amandagosling7622]

@@DiaryofaDitchWitch she's an Irish mammy so that goes without saying, it was hilarious 😂

[@oliverk191]

The best linen is made in Ireland and it’s incredibly reasonably priced. The Italian stuff is a rip off