From the kitchen table to Kilkenny Design Traveller tradition of the ‘beady pocket’ reborn

Ann Rose Morgan with pieces from her eponymous collection Picture: Feargal Ward

The Traveller tradition of the ‘beady pocket’, whereby women would swap buttons as a sign of friendship, has been given a haute couture makeover for a new accessories collection unveiled in Kilkenny Design.

The Ann Rose collection of hand-embellished collars and cuffs are the creation of Traveller woman Ann Rose Mongan. She is one of four women being mentored by entrepreneur Norah Casey in the upcoming RTE documentary series, Norah’s Traveller Academy.

“When ...