The Market Square

The following story comes on a scroll with the piece:

In 1610 English landlord Stephen Butler planted the town of Belturbet creating a market in the town square. In the 18th century it was much bigger than Cavan town.The first Thursday of every month there was a cattle market on the Fairgreen and in later years a variety of stalls on the market square.  The river Erne played a central role to its success, bringing the goods to the market on cots and the people on steamboats.  People came in on the trains too. The famous 19th century writer Shan Bullock who was born at Crom Castle told “the true story of life along the Erne basin at the time”. His work epitomised Irish life as a whole. In one of his books he talks about attending a fairday in Belturbet, his words spark the setting of this colourful and nostalgic scene. 

“ At 8 o’clock of a morning we found the Fair Green thronged, cattle of all sorts, pigs in carts, goats and asses. They were all coming and going, striking fierce bargains, judging, shouting, pricing and swearing. The pigs squealing, the cattle bellowing. To see Belturbet in its glory  you had to gaze from the Townhall  steps across the Diamond on the Fair or Market days. Such a stir and scene ! Sidewalks thronged, streets this way and that full of carts and cars, shops buzzing with trade, the police marching.”

Appearing in the scene we have local legend and character Frank Rice (RIP) with his wheel barrow of sawdust that he would collect from the shoe factory to sell to locals for a few bob. Eileen McKernan appears as a little girl doing her weekly milk run with her brother Jim McElgunn at the fair – a fond memory described to me in our recent interview.  

Information taken from George E. Morrissey’s book, Belturbet, A Chequered History

Textiles-

Jackie’s stunning hand embroidered textile pieces are the centerpiece in any contemporary home. Limited to 10 editions only they are a really unique gift for that extra special occasion or a perfect addition for someone who already collects her pieces. 

Her Process:

Jackie arranges her own artwork to be printed onto fabric in the tiny village of Downings, Donegal. Once printed, the next part of the process is the hand embroidery.  With every textile print with she adds the hand embroidered details, this means that really each piece is unique in its own right.  A time consuming but enjoyable process which Jackie sees as the next particularly important part of her creative. 

“I’m drawing onto my drawing again but this time with thread. The needle is my pencil and the variety of yarns I have collected are my colour and shape. In my textile degree I was thought all the sophisticated embroidery techniques, but I don't use any of the them, and I take the same approach to embroidery as I do to all my art, my embroidery technique is intuitive .”

Sizing and framing:

Jackie's textile prints can be made to order in a size to suit you. She has three different signature ways of framing: 

Round and oval frames, beautifully handcrafted by Local Cavan Woodworkers.

Artwork is stretched in an embroidery hoop and incased in a handmade box frame.

Bespoke square or rectangular double wood mount. The creator uses Brown and Cream combo or White and cream combo, depending on what is better suited to the art.

If you would like to order this piece in a different size or frame type please send an enquiry form or contact me on  (+353)870666873. They can be ordered bespoke and take approx 3/4 weeks.

Many of the textile prints have a story or wonderful meaning behind them, which comes with the hand-crafted piece on a beautiful scroll.