Meet the designer creating knitwear based on Irish transport
Irish ephemera and symbolism are at an all-time popularity high, with more of us proudly sporting Claddaghs, triskeles and even Sheela na Gigs in our day-to-day looks.
This boom has permeated through all manner of design, from jewellery and clothing to even home goods, with many eager to communicate a homegrown lexicon of in-jokes, cultural touchstones and heartfelt winks to our past.
Nothing, however, could be as potent a statement about who you are as which Irish mode of transportation you're loyal to.
Siobhán O'Reilly of Siobh's Knits has tapped into this by creating knitted accessories inspired by everything from the DART to the much-missed 46a Dublin Bus. Here, she talks about the allure of public transportation, being an online creative and knitting a scarf with Paul Mescal's face on it - the Mescarf.
How did you start knitting? When did you take it up and why?
I, like many others, wanted to take up a hobby during the first COVID lockdown. I had tried to knit as a child, but I never developed enough of an interest in it to keep it up. I was seeing videos of people making beautiful creations through knitting and crochet, and decided I wanted to give it another try. I picked up one ball of yarn and two needles, and thankfully, this time I fell in love with it.
It took some practice to get better at it, but after my first project, I was hooked. Since then, I have made a variety of items, including Aran jumpers, cardigans, socks, sweater vests, and of course, the public transport hats. I have found such a great community through fibre arts, and I cherish the friendships I have made because of it.
What is it about Irish ephemera, and especially Irish transport, that inspired you?
My inspiration comes mostly from what I am surrounded by and the media I consume. I love bright colours, and I like wearing colourful outfits. I had been knitting hats to use up scrap yarn from other projects, but I was getting a bit tired of the same colour combinations.
Seeing the DART pull up one day, I realised it would be quite easy to adapt the blocks of colours to the type of hats I had been making. I made one for a friend who loved trains. I felt inspired by this idea, so I then made a series of hats inspired by different types of public transport. I finished the first hat in May 2023, but it wasn't until March 2025 that people picked up on it after I posted a video on social media.
Colourwork is my favourite thing to knit, so I challenged myself to knit Paul Mescal's face onto a scarf. I nicknamed this the Mescarf. It was a fun project, so I decided to make a tapestry of CMAT. There is so much talent in Ireland, and I think it is important to acknowledge that. These are both very talented individuals who I admire, and I am hoping to add to this series with more Irish icons.
With the 46a now dearly departed, is there a part of your work that tries to preserve or resurrect parts of our collective past?
The reaction to the 46a hat has been unbelievable. It is a testament to the bond people have to their community, their routines, and to public transport in general. Nostalgia is powerful, and I imagine the 46a evokes fond memories for a lot of people; whether they or their family members were bus drivers, they took that bus to work or college, or they used it to meet up with friends.
Seeing this connection to this route and others has been lovely to experience. It inspired me to look into the old liveries of different buses, and many have messaged me to talk about buses they used to get. We see buses passing by on roads constantly, especially in cities, so I want to capture the colours that people would associate with the public transport from different times of their lives.
You sell your designs in online drops, what has that been like as a creative?
I am currently undertaking a PhD in the University of Limerick, so I have found releasing the hats as drops has been a great way to keep a balance. It is also an exciting way of releasing products, and it's been a motivating factor for me. Each hat is handknit by me, so they take a lot of time to complete. I think this makes them feel special as they are not something you can come across in a shop, yet.
During the times between drops, I love thinking and researching for new colourways. The people who follow me on social media have been really helpful in letting me know what they want to see, so it feels like a collective effort.
Irish symbolism has never been so popular in fashion, with Claddaghs, Triskeles, and other traditional designs becoming a short hand for a certain type of fashion lover. What's behind this, as someone also championing Irish design?
I have loved watching Irish designs become so popular in recent years. There are many amazing brands and artists like Aoife Cawley, Pellador, and Beir Bua, to name a few, who are championing Irish design. What I really admire is the ability to take Irish symbolism and ephemera and make it modern and fashionable. I think previously, fashion trends were largely dictated by what high-ranking celebrities were wearing, whereas now it seems that people are opting to support small businesses and homegrown talent.
Fast-fashion can pose an environmental issue when the pieces are low quality and break down easily. The pieces I have purchased from various Irish designers have been great quality, so I think that is another important aspect to consider. The talent in the country is amazing and should not be overlooked.
You're from Limerick, a part of the country with its own rich visual heritage. Is there anything you'd like to champion from your home county in your designs that you haven't already?
I have a lot of love for Limerick. There is nothing I enjoy more than walking through the markets, going to a nice café and visiting any new art exhibitions happening in the city. The first bus hat I made was for the 304, which runs from the University of Limerick and goes through the city.
I am looking forward to making a piece inspired by Limerick. I am considering making something centred around the Three Bridges. I feel this is a quintessential part of the city and would make a really nice design. There are so many beautiful parts of the city and county – I wish it was possible to encapsulate it all on a jumper.
What's next for you?
In the immediate future, I have my third hat drop coming up in September. I would like to be able to get my designs out to more people, but for the moment, I am going to continue focusing on these drops. I really enjoyed making the Buses of Ireland sweater vest, so I am hoping to expand on that series after the drop.
I am currently working on making a vest jacket out of moquette, which is the fabric used on bus seats (it is new and clean!) so I am excited to see how it turns out. There are a few other exciting projects coming up in the future, so I am being kept busy!
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