When I was young in Troy, NY. and during the war,(W W 2) we had Irish Lace curtains and the famous curtain frame. When the Nuns in St. Peter's school found out my mother had the frame they asked to borrow it! My mother graciously volunteered to 'Do Them Up' for the Sisters. So, for many years my Mom would go get them and bring them back, starched and even, ready to be hung. The Sisters would give us little religious symbols-a cross, cards, pictures, etc. It must have made an impression on my Dad because he converted and became a Catholic after many years of no church participation. Everyone I knew had Lace curtains even if they were not Irish! Today Lace curtains are 'in' again! "Shanty Irish" was another phrase used. Thank God for the Irish sense of humor! Rita