Did you know that Queen Victoria considered Irish poplin to be the finest in the world?

Find out why fashionable Lady Lucy Loftus had her portrait painted in a dress
style from 100 years before.

Join us for an exploration of fine clothing in 18th century Ireland as seen in the paintings of the Loftus family of Rathfarnham Castle.

Learn how connected Ireland was to international commerce and the routes that were travelled by the silks, wools, lacework, shoes, hats, fans and jewels imported here. Discover how Irish industries developed to supply the demand for high quality poplin, linen and lacemaking. Learn about the clothes worn by Henry Loftus and Lady Loftus, at his investiture as Earl of Ely, as shown in the 1771 Angelica Kauffman family portrait. The talk will take place in the Ballroom of Rathfarnham Castle among the Loftus family portraits.

• 24th August- 11am - 12 noon
• 25th August - 12 noon - 1 pm