From folklore to fashion – how the Armagh Rhymers stole the show at McQueen
Alexandra RosbothamBBC News NI
Photography courtesy of McQueen
The Armagh Rhymers – known for their striking costumes – help to preserve an ancient Irish tradition of masked folk theatre and ritual performances
From the ancient Irish practice of mumming to walking the red carpet, the Armagh Rhymers were central to a meeting of myth and couture for McQueen’s Paris Fashion Week show.
The local theatre and performance group have been committed to carrying the rural custom of “mumming” or “rhyming” into the 21st century, and in doing so caught the attention of McQueen’s creative director, Seán McGirr.
Historically, mumming saw groups dress up in masks and costume, going from house to house to perform poetry, theatre, music and dance.
Often communities used this to mark important times in their calendar.
“When we got the e-mail in July, we weren’t sure it was real. McQueen is such a fashion behemoth, their shows are so beautiful and known for their theatrics,” said programme manager Clare Jennings.
“The creative director Seán McGirr is Irish and is very inspired by Irish culture, history and heritage, incorporating Irish folklore and mythology in the shows and in the collections. It just seemed like a really natural fit.”
Handout
Clare has been a member of the Armagh Rhymers for four years
The group worked with local straw craft workers to produce large straw maypole toppers which were then used as part of the set.
Craft artist Moira Burns hand-made more than 500 harvest knots.
Traditionally thought to be a love token, the harvest knots were used as invites for guests.
Photography courtesy of McQueen
Hessian ribbons and straw maypole toppers made up the set for the show (left) and VIP invites included wheat harvest knots handmade in Armagh (right)
Clare, alongside Creative Director and co-founder Dara Vallely and board member and volunteer Anne Hart travelled to participate in McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2026 show in Paris.
“We were in traditional mask and costume on the red carpet as guests arrived,” Clare told BBC News NI.
“It was a really an amazing opportunity to showcase the local heritage and craft that we do have here, and for a fashion house like McQueen to see the beauty and the value in our local craft.”
Often performing community groups or visiting schools, a haute couture show is a departure from the Armagh Rhymers day-to-day schedule.
“When Dara started the Rhymers nearly 50 years ago now, a lot of these ancient traditions were in danger of dying out or being forgotten about, so we feel very lucky that Seán McGirr was so interested in the ancient tradition of mumming and what we do,” Anne added.
Photography courtesy of McQueen
Clare, Dara and Anne backstage at the McQueen Paris Fashion Week show
Irish fashion success
Earlier in the Paris Fashion Week schedule, another designer from the island of Ireland made history in the world of high fashion.
Johnathan Anderson, who grew up in Magherafelt, County Londonderry unveiled his debut women’s collection for Dior.
This comes after the announcement that he would be the first designer since Christian Dior to lead both the men’s and women’s lines at the French fashion house.
In recent interview with BBC Radio 4 he revealed the influence growing up in Northern Ireland has had on his world view, stating he “would not be where I am today without Northern Ireland” .
