Maria Edgeworth Festival
of Literature, Arts and Movement

Event Details

18th Century Daily Fashion

Saturday, 16th May 2026

Date & Time

16May2026

Fashion in the Lifetime of Maria Edgeworth

Dressing your Age: The Middle- and Old-Aged fashions of Maria Edgeworth

From 11.00am until 12.30pm

€15

Melissa Shiels in a Regency Dress

Venue

The Maria Edgeworth Centre, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, N39 E3C8

About the Event

1.5 hours

“Dressing your Age: The Middle- and Old-Aged fashions of Maria Edgeworth”:
It is often thought that fashion is a young woman’s domain, and that older women who partook in fashionable displays were “mutton dressed as lamb”. Despite this public disapproval, many older women did still continue to dress fashionably, yet respectably, in their old age. Join Dress Historian, Dr Melissa Shiels, and Historical Interpreter, Carrie O’Flynn, for a costumed demonstration of the fashions in the latter half of Maria Edgeworth’s life; from her 40s to her 80s.

Tickets

  • € 15 
  • Spaces are limited
  • Pre booking necessary

Facilitator

Melissa Shiels

Melissa Shiels is a recent doctoral candidate, awarded her PhD from UCC in 16th-century Irish history, focusing on gift exchange and material culture. She has been making historical clothing since 2002, recreating clothing from the Viking, Medieval, Tudor/Elizabethan, Georgian, Regency, and Victorian periods. Melissa gives costumed talks for a wide range of audiences, both academic and non-academic, speaking in museums, libraries, schools, literary festivals, as well as university lectures.

Notice: Photography and Videography in Progress

Please be aware that photographs and videos are being taken during this event. These may be used for advertising, promotional, or marketing purposes by the facilitators.

By entering the festival grounds, you consent to your image being captured and used in such materials.

If you have concerns or prefer not to appear in any materials, please speak to a member of staff.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Grateful appreciation to our sponsors

This project was assisted by Longford Local Community Development Committee, Longford Community Resources Clg. and Longford County Council through the LEADER Programme 2023 -2027 which is part-financed by the EU, “The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas” and the Department of Rural & Community Development