Lace Proficiency Assessments are open to any member of the Guild of Irish Lacemakers who wishes to take them. The purpose of the assessments is to encourage individuals to achieve a high standard of proficiency in each of the lace disciplines, thereby ensuring the passing on of valuable skills from one generation of lacemakers to the next.
Currently, Proficiency Assessments are available in the following disciplines: Bobbin Lace, Carrickmacross Lace, Irish Crochet Lace, Mountmellick Embroidery, Limerick Lace and Introduction to Needlelace. Other lace disciplines are under consideration and may be available for assessment in the future.
Assessment Levels
In each discipline, there are three levels of assessment available*:
Level 1: Foundation
Candidates will be assessed on the following basis:
| Aspect | Marks out of 100 |
| Choice of Materials | 15 |
| Clarity of written work/photographs | 15 |
| Neatness, Tension, Technique, and Execution | 60 |
| Presentation of the work | 10 |
Level 2: Intermediate
Candidates will be assessed on the following basis if there is no design element:
| Aspect | Marks out of 100 |
| Choice of Materials | 15 |
| Clarity of written work/photographs | 15 |
| Neatness, Tension, Technique, and Execution | 60 |
| Presentation of the work | 10 |
Candidates will be assessed on the following basis if there is a design element:
| Aspect | Marks out of 100 |
| Clarity of written work/photographs | 10 |
| Neatness, Tension, Technique, and Execution | 60 |
| Presentation of the work | 10 |
| Design | 20 |
Level 3: Advanced
Candidates will be assessed on the following basis:
| Aspect | Marks out of 100 |
| Clarity of written work/photographs | 10 |
| Neatness, Tension, Technique, and Execution | 60 |
| Presentation of the work | 10 |
| Design | 20 |
*The only exception to this is the Introduction to Needlelace which is just available at a foundation level.
At each level candidates must achieve a minimum grade of 60 overall, to pass the assessment. A grade of at least 40 must be achieved in the category of
Neatness/Tension, Technique and Execution in order to pass.
The assessment procedure was designed by masters in their field, Ann Keller, our Irish expert for Bobbin Lace, and internationally recognised specialists, Mary Shields for Carrickmacross Lace, Kathie Earle for Irish Crochet Lace, Maree Maher for Mountmellick Embroidery, Grainne Conlon for Limerick Lace and Bronwen Murray for the Introduction to Needlelace.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Candidates are expected to complete lower levels before moving on to the advanced levels. In exceptional circumstances, an individual can request to be allowed to complete Intermediate or Advanced levels without completing the previous level. In this case, the candidate will be asked to fully demonstrate (through the submission of completed practical work for review, and additional written work), that they have already attained all of the skills required at the lower level(s). There will be a charge for this review. Permission to skip lower levels must be given in writing by GOIL before the candidate submits their portfolio for assessment.
NB. The facility to skip lower levels will not be available until 2023/24
Fees
The fee for each proficiency assessment is €50. €10 must be paid to receive the Assessment Instruction for the discipline and level requested. The €40 balance must then be paid when submitting the portfolio for assessment. Each student who achieves the required standard will receive a certificate. For those who do not, the fee is non-returnable, however, no fee will be charged if the student decides to complete the assessment again.
Assessment Instructions and Guidance for Candidates can be requested from:
edugoilireland@gmail.com
The Guild of Irish Lacemakers 