ROS TAPESTRY, NEW ROSS, WEXFORD

EX VOTO TINTERN ABBEY: WILLIAM MARSHAL'S STORMY CROSSING TO IRELAND

On my recent trip to New Ross I visited the Ros Tapestry.   Including  15 large embroidered panels the Ros Tapestry is a major community arts and history project depicting the events around the Anglo-Norman arrival in the South East of Ireland specifically the founding of New Ross, Co Wexford in 1207 by William Marshal, a famous Knights Templar, and his wife, heiress Isabel de Clare.   By the end of the 13^th century New Ross had become one of the ten highest grossing ports in terms of customs in Ireland and Britain, exporting grain, wool, cattle hides and timber.  During this period it was heavily integrated into the wider European economy with Italian bankers playing a large role in setting up the town and establishing it as an important international trade centre.   

                                  THE SHEAF OF CORN - THE DISTAFF DESCENT

Each tapestry is approx. 6ft x 5ft and they are on permanent display in Priory Court, New Ross.   The epic Anglo-Norman tale has been brought to life in the Ros Tapestry through detailed designs by artist Ann Griffin-Bernstorff who researched the historic events, customs, dress and folklore that provide the substance for the series of fifteen panels.  Her daughter Alexis (a textile specialist) has been supervising the 150 volunteer embroiderers involved in the project.  The teams of embroiderers, mainly women, gathered in homes and public spaces, throughout the county of Wexford and nearby Kilkenny every week since 1998.   

 

                                     THE HUNT IN THE FOREST OF ROS

The invitation of Dermot Mc Murough, King of Leinster precipitates the Anglo-Norman landing at Bannow and the arrival of William Marshal, Prince Regent to Henry III. William Marshal was married to Isabel de Clare, heiress of Stongbow, Earl of Pembroke and granddaughter of Dermot Mc Murrough.  Together they transformed the wilderness on the banks of the deep river Barrow and by 1250 New Ross was one of the most successful and wealthy ports in Ireland with as many as 400 ships berthed at any one time.  The Irish and Normans mingled with the 20 Italian merchants who traded in the town. 

                                  WILLIAM MARSHAL - THE FLOWER OF CHIVALRY

Entry fee to the exhibition is €6 and a hand held audio guide gave a detailed account of each tapestry.  Unfortunately, the exhibition space was small and it was difficult to view the beautiful tapestries from a distance.   This is an unusual exhibition and is worth a visit but it needs to be viewed in a much larger space for maximum effect. 

                                          THE THRIVING PORT OF NEW ROSS