Be cool this summer and visit the sizzling hot FROCK AROUND THE CLOCK Vintage Fair when it makes its third annual visit to Cookstown’s historic Lissan House on Sunday 29th June, with another extravaganza of vintage treasures for sale and a big helping of timeless glamour, nostalgia, history and fun – it’s the perfect day out for all the family!
The event will showcase an amazing line-up of 35 high calibre Irish vintage dealers and creative designers selling an unrivalled collection of vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectibles, crafts, art and gifts, most of which can’t be found on the high street. While browsing and shopping, visitors will be able to step back in time and explore the history of the ‘Big House’ which was established in the early 17th Century and was home to the Staples family for almost 400 years. The Vintage Fair will take visitors on a tour of the house from the grand hall, through the ladies room, library, ballroom, bedrooms, the Sir Robert Ponsonby Room, and the Victorian kitchen and laundry room, revealing modern interactive exhibits and original family furnishings – a unique journey through the history of the estate and the family characters that have shaped it. After shopping and browsing, visitors can wander through the rest of the house into the nursery, the WW2 ‘flats’ and the ‘Green Room’, now home to a wonderful second hand book store and children’s reading area.
The inspiring exhibitor list will include Norma Jean Vintage – specialising in vintage clothing and homewares, Emily Loves Vintage – showcasing beautiful handcrafted jewellery, Strombolitwo – selling unique jewellery & fashion accessories crafted from vintage kimono silks, Alfie Loves Design – specialists in restyled furniture and beautiful soft furnishings, Vintage USA – connoisseurs of gorgeous vintage costume jewellery, and Vespertine Vintage – offering timeless and authentic vintage dresses and fashion accessories. So that’s the ladies sorted, but the men won’t be neglected either as they will love to rummage through a wide range of collectibles including stylish oddities from Bell & Woolf, handmade furniture from Wooden Treats, Lego portraits by Stefan Birch Art, and a cornucopia of salvage, vintage, and retro items from Borrowed N Blue. Children will love the vintage teddy bears, nursery games and antique books from Tiny Tower Vintage and the beautiful handcrafted dolls by Vintage Aggy & Molly, while sweet lovers can indulge in scrumptious baking from Patricia Mann Cake Designs.
After all the shopping and exploring it will be time to relax and revive in the Lissan Tea Room, enjoying all the scrumptious delights of afternoon tea in the Victorian dining room. Once refreshed, visitors will be able to explore the delightful setting of Lissan Demesne which features an adventure playground for children, a wooded picnic seating area, and many secluded walks to explore through the ancient woodland, along forest trails and riverside paths.
Lissan House is an enchanting country residence set within a 250 acre demesne of ancient woodland and forestry. The estate was created in the 17th century and remained the home of the Staples family for nearly 400 years, reputedly the longest habitation by any single family of a country house in West Ulster. Lissan came to prominence in 2003 when its popularity helped it reach the national final of the BBC2 television series, Restoration.
The FROCK AROUND THE CLOCK Vintage & Handmade Fair will take place on Sunday 29th June from 12 – 5pm at Lissan House, Drumgrass Road, Cookstown BT80 9SW. Admission will cost £5 for adults while accompanied children (under 15s) go free – the admission fee covers the house and demesne, including vintage fair, and there will be no additional cost for parking on the day of the event.
More information on the event can be found online at www.frockaroundtheclock.com and www.facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs.