This wonderful vestment set is kept at the National Shrine of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota. It is an excellent example of the Irish embroidery school of the late nineteenth century. The matching set was purchased by Archbishop John Ireland at the Chicago World's Fair Columbian Exhibition in 1893. The condition is excellent. The material is heavy silk and poplin. It was designed and embroidered at the Royal School of Needlework, the centre in Dublin for the art of hand-embroidery since 1872. How wonderful it would be if the same storied school could produce vestments like this once again. It would also be nice to see these vestments used on occasion at the cathedral for special ceremonies such as First Holy Communion.
