World Textiles Cultural Programme Launched at Down County Museum

The Down County Museum in Downpatrick was the venue for the launch of an immersive World Textiles Cultural Programme made possible by PEACEPLUS funding secured by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Launched in partnership with diversity and inclusion training organisation Cultivate Respect, Appreciate Inclusion across Cultures (CRAICNI), the project is part of the Council’s Local Action Plan’s Thriving Together initiative, which is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

CRAICNI will lead and manage the programme designed to foster deep cross-cultural understanding, focusing on building cultural competency while exploring the fabric, clothing, and design traditions of different cultures.

Participants are currently moving through an immersive, structured itinerary that seamlessly blends theory, history and physical art forms, with a focus on cultural competency and diversity, textile upcycling and reflective journaling. There will also be a lace making workshop and study trip.

Guided sessions will explore how global fashion, textiles and costumes connect to personal identity, family roots and multi-cultural history, exploring the rich history of clothing from local Irish linen to the elegant Japanese kimono, with creative, hands-on crafting workshops helping participants learn to redesign, repurpose and breathe new life into older fabrics and garments.

There will be dedicated time for personal expression, enabling attendees to document their global textile journey, family memories and cultural reflections. Also as part of the new programme, there will be a special focus on historic textile arts, culminating in an exclusive, hands-on lace-making study trip featuring Crossmaglen lace.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said, “Our district is home to people from many different backgrounds, each with their own unique traditions and stories. The World Textiles programme provides a fantastic opportunity for participants to learn about those cultures through creativity, conversation and shared experiences. It is encouraging to see people coming together in this way, building new connections and gaining a greater appreciation of the traditions that shape our communities. I wish everyone involved every success as the programme continues.”

Mr Nicholas McCrickard, vice-chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s PEACEPLUS Partnership Board said, “We are thrilled to deliver the World Textiles programme through PEACEPLUS funding. This brilliant initiative shows exactly what our Thriving Together initiative is all about—using the power of shared culture and heritage to connect people, celebrate our diversity and build a truly cohesive community."

Eileen Chan-Hu, Executive Director and Founder of CRAICNI added: “Textiles and fashion are universal languages that bring people together. CRAICNI is incredibly excited to lead this vibrant, immersive journey at the Down County Museum. By blending history with hands-on crafting like upcycling and lacemaking, we are helping people express their own identities while building lasting cross-cultural friendships."

Regular workshop sessions run on Wednesdays and Fridays inside the historic walls of the Down County Museum in Downpatrick, with the interactive curriculum structure encompassing 15 hours of community engagement. By examining the unique ways different heritages express themselves through thread, the ongoing World Textiles Cultural Programme leverages creative expression to preserve diverse regional traditions, foster mutual understanding and bring people closer together.

World Textiles is funded by PEACEPLUS, a cross-border funding programme supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

A PEACEPLUS newsletter is published every two months, highlighting the wide range of projects being delivered throughout the district as part of the Co-Designed Action Plan, providing residents with news on upcoming initiatives and opportunities they may wish to get involved in. To receive future newsletters email peace@nmandd.org and ask to be placed on the PEACEPLUS database, while for information on the (SEUPB) visit https://seupb.eu/PEACEPLUS