Latest news with #CarnewCommunityCare
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Suitors line up to house gigantic wool map of Ireland after Wicklow creation goes viral
Featuring landmarks, historical sites and tourist attractions dotted across the four provinces, the comprehensive map, which is covered entirely in wool, was created by a group of local knitters, sewers and crocheters who meet at Carnew Community Care every Wednesday morning. Beginning in 2019, the labour of love tested the ladies' skill and endurance, but the group persevered and proudly unveiled the massive map at an exhibition in Carnew last summer. Since then, it has been hoped that an organisation or individual might adopt it, so it can remain in public view for years to come, with a castle, stately home or tourist attraction identified as ideal places. Coming as a shock to all involved, the search for a new home was reignited recently through a post on social media, with Irish and UK media outlets clambering to hear about the map's fate. As Carnew Community Care manager Anne Kavanagh explained, the group is still coming to terms with how their creation has captured the public's imagination. ' put up a social media post recently, and the Press Association picked up on it, came down, did photographs and a little video, and it has just gone viral,' she said. 'Loads of radio programs have been in touch looking for interviews. The knitters have been on the Ray D'Arcy show and East Coast Radio. BBC Northern Ireland was looking for them, and they were on a TV breakfast show in the UK with Eamon Holmes. 'The TV show wanted to talk to them this morning, and fair play to them, six of them came in at ten to eight! 'The question that got honed in on was where the map will end up? 'It's gaining momentum now to do something, and we have had so much feedback that the ladies and I are so busy fielding calls that very little other work is done, but that is a great problem to have!' ADVERTISEMENT Although receiving 'loads and loads of offers over the past few days', Anne said that nothing has been set in stone, with the ladies planning to meet Wicklow County Council, who are 'committed to assisting in putting firm plans in place for moving forward'. 'It is a fabulous piece, and does need more exposure,' Anne continued. 'It could end up being a little attraction somewhere, in an airport, or somewhere representing the wool industry. There has been talk of it going into the libraries around the county. 'It's not going to happen overnight, but something needs to happen shortly, even just for a while, as it deserves to go somewhere with more exposure.' The map is still based at Carnew Community Care, and all are welcome to visit and have a cuppa, from 10am to 4pm daily. Groups of four or more are asked to call 053 94 26510.
The Journal
15-07-2025
- General
- The Journal
Women seek home for 12ft by 11ft woollen map of Ireland
A 12FT BY 11FT wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. A group of up to 18 women in Co Wicklow, consisting of skilled knitters, sewers and crocheters, started the project in 2019 before it paused during the pandemic and resumed again in late 2022. The women met every Wednesday at Carnew Community Care centre where they came up with ideas of landmarks and historical sites across the island of Ireland that they could sew and knit together. While 18 people started off the project, three of the women died over the years and two others went in to nursing homes. The youngest member of the group is aged 65 while the eldest is soon turning 90. Group member Mary Blake said that after creating a number of other woollen projects, a member of the community centre suggested knitting a map of Ireland. The woollen map project quickly took off and now features prominent landmarks and sites across the island, including Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, Phoenix Park, Giant's Causeway and Fungie the Dolphin. Ms Blake said: 'We all decided which bits would represent areas of significance and we put it all together like a jigsaw. 'We covered the whole of Ireland in green squares, all different shades of green, before we started doing any of the knitting. 'Then we started with Leinster, and somebody said, I'll do Mount Leinster, and someone else started on Hook Head (lighthouse), and different people did different parts. We worked together on everything, 'Most of it took place in Carnew Community Care, which is a centre for older people. We meet every Wednesday morning and whatever we don't get finished, we bring home the bits to get done. 'We started in 2019 and then Covid came and put a stop to that. So we couldn't get wool and we couldn't meet either. We got back together at the end of 2022 but we'd lost a few people in the meantime, during Covid. 'We lost one of our members Margaret so decided to add bits in to represent her life close to the Shannon. Advertisement 'We couldn't do something to represent every county but we did places like Glendalough, the Japanese Gardens in Kildare, Hook Head, a Viking ship, the Guinness gate, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo. 'We also have Harland and Wolff, the Titanic ship with parts of it sinking, Theresa's cottage in Donegal, the Ulster Museum, we have loads of animals in it, Giants Causeway, which we made out of Smarties boxes. 'We have lots of fishermen, the Aran Island, windmills, Croagh Patrick, Galway Races and best dressed lady, the Shannon, Sherkin Island, Blarney Castle, and Fungie. Blarney Castle which features on the knitted map of Ireland. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'Some people sewed, some people crocheted, and some people sewed things together. 'One of our ladies is going be 90 next year and I'd say the youngest person we have is over 65.' She added: 'It gives people a purpose. We also knit blankets for local hospitals. 'We were all really excited to take part in this project and seeing it finished was amazing.' Ms Blake said those involved would like to see it go on public display. 'We don't really mind, whoever wants it is welcome to have it, but we would love to see it in a public place, somewhere that it can be viewed and give everybody an opportunity to see it. We're open to whoever wants to take it,' she added. 'I'm so excited to see it finished and would like others to see it too. It would look great in one of the airports.' One of the members, Ann Edwards, said it was a fun experience. 'I have lots of favourites but I think Hook Head and the Viking ship are particularly nice and colourful and great to work on,' she said. 'They were difficult to do. I worked on the Vikings. It was interesting and enjoyable. 'We dug into the memory bank and came up with ideas and what things would have looked like.'
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
In pictures: Women seek home for 12ft by 11ft woollen map of Ireland
A 12ft by 11ft wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. A group of up to 18 women in Co Wicklow, consisting of skilled knitters, sewers and crocheters, started the project in 2019 before it paused during the pandemic and resumed again in late 2022. The women met every Wednesday at Carnew Community Care centre where they came up with ideas of landmarks and historical sites across the island of Ireland that they could sew and knit together. While 18 people started off the project, three of the women died over the years and two others went in to nursing homes. The youngest member of the group is aged 65 while the eldest is soon turning 90. Some of the knitters in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew, Co Wicklow, with their knitted map of Ireland. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Group member Mary Blake said that after creating a number of other woollen projects, a member of the community centre suggested knitting a map of Ireland. The woollen map project quickly took off and now features prominent landmarks and sites across the island, including Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, Phoenix Park, Giant's Causeway and Fungie the Dolphin. Ms Blake said: 'We all decided which bits would represent areas of significance and we put it all together like a jigsaw. 'We covered the whole of Ireland in green squares, all different shades of green, before we started doing any of the knitting. 'Then we started with Leinster, and somebody said, I'll do Mount Leinster, and someone else started on Hook Head (lighthouse), and different people did different parts. We worked together on everything, 'Most of it took place in Carnew Community Care, which is a centre for older people. We meet every Wednesday morning and whatever we don't get finished, we bring home the bits to get done. 'We started in 2019 and then covid came and put a stop to that. So we couldn't get wool and we couldn't meet either. We got back together at the end of 2022 but we'd lost a few people in the meantime, during covid. 'We lost one of our members Margaret so decided to add bits in to represent her life close to the Shannon. Mary Blake points to a boat in memory of Margaret Dowse who passed away during the creation of her group's knitted map of Ireland. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire 'We couldn't do something to represent every county but we did places like Glendalough, the Japanese Gardens in Kildare, Hook Head, a Viking ship, the Guinness gate, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo. 'We also have Harland and Wolff, the Titanic ship with parts of it sinking, Theresa's cottage in Donegal, the Ulster Museum, we have loads of animals in it, Giants Causeway, which we made out of Smarties boxes. 'We have lots of fishermen, the Aran Island, windmills, Croagh Patrick, Galway Races and best dressed lady, the Shannon, Sherkin Island, Blarney Castle, and Fungie. 'Some people sewed, some people crocheted, and some people sewed things together. 'One of our ladies is going be 90 next year and I'd say the youngest person we have is over 65.' Blarney Castle which features on the knitted map of Ireland. Picture:Niall Carson/PA Wire Fungi the Dolphin on the map. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire She added: 'It gives people a purpose. We also knit blankets for local hospitals. 'We were all really excited to take part in this project and seeing it finished was amazing.' Ms Blake said those involved would like to see it go on public display. 'We don't really mind, whoever wants it is welcome to have it, but we would love to see it in a public place, somewhere that it can be viewed and give everybody an opportunity to see it. We're open to whoever wants to take it,' she added. 'I'm so excited to see it finished and would like others to see it too. It would look great in one of the airports.' The Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim made from boxes of Smarties sweets, which features on a knitted map of Ireland. Picture:: Niall Carson/PA Wire Group member Ann Edwards said Hook Head lighthouse on the knitted map was' particularly nice and colourful'. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire One of the members, Ann Edwards, said it was a fun experience. 'I have lots of favourites but I think Hook Head and the Viking ship are particularly nice and colourful and great to work on,' she said. 'They were difficult to do. I worked on the Vikings. It was interesting and enjoyable. 'We dug into the memory bank and came up with ideas and what things would have looked like.'
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Wool map of Ireland proves a great yarn for Co Wicklow friends and now seeks a new home
A 12ft by 11ft wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. A group of up to 18 women in Co Wicklow, consisting of skilled knitters, sewers, and crocheters, started the project in 2019 before it paused during the pandemic and resumed again in late 2022. The women met every Wednesday at Carnew Community Care centre where they came up with ideas of landmarks and historical sites across the island of Ireland that they could sew and knit together. While 18 people started off the project, three of the women died over the years, and two others went into nursing homes. The youngest member of the group is aged 65, and the eldest is soon turning 90. Group member Mary Blake said that after creating a number of other woollen projects, a member of the community centre suggested knitting a map of Ireland. The woollen map project quickly took off and now features prominent landmarks and sites across the island, including Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, the Phoenix Park, Giant's Causeway, and Fungi the Dolphin. Ms Blake said: "We all decided which bits would represent areas of significance, and we put it all together like a jigsaw. "We covered the whole of Ireland in green squares, all different shades of green, before we started doing any of the knitting. "Then we started with Leinster, and somebody said, 'I'll do Mount Leinster', and someone else started on Hook Head [Lighthouse], and different people did different parts. We worked together on everything, "Most of it took place in Carnew Community Care, which is a centre for older people. We meet every Wednesday morning, and whatever we don't get finished, we bring home the bits to get done. "We started in 2019, and then Covid came and put a stop to that. So we couldn't get wool, and we couldn't meet either. We got back together at the end of 2022, but we'd lost a few people in the meantime, during Covid. "We lost one of our members Margaret (Dowse) so decided to add bits in to represent her life close to the Shannon. "We couldn't do something to represent every county, but we did places like Glendalough, the Japanese Gardens in Kildare, Hook Head, a Viking ship, the Guinness gate, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo. "We also have Harland and Wolff, the Titanic ship with parts of it sinking, Theresa's cottage in Donegal, the Ulster Museum. We have loads of animals in it, [the] Giant's Causeway, which we made out of Smarties boxes. "We have lots of fishermen, the Aran Islands, windmills, Croagh Patrick, Galway Races and best dressed lady, the Shannon, Sherkin Island, Blarney Castle, and Fungi. "Some people sewed, some people crocheted, and some people sewed things together. "One of our ladies is going be 90 next year, and I'd say the youngest person we have is over 65." She continued: "It gives people a purpose. We also knit blankets for local hospitals. "We were all really excited to take part in this project, and seeing it finished was amazing." Ms Blake said those involved would like to see it go on public display. "We don't really mind, whoever wants it is welcome to have it. But we would love to see it in a public place, somewhere that it can be viewed and give everybody an opportunity to see it. We're open to whoever wants to take it," she added. "I'm so excited to see it finished and would like others to see it too. It would look great in one of the airports." One of the members, Ann Edwards, said it was a fun experience. "I have lots of favourites, but I think Hook Head and the Viking ship are particularly nice and colourful and great to work on," she said. "They were difficult to do. I worked on the Vikings. It was interesting and enjoyable. "We dug into the memory bank and came up with ideas and what things would have looked like."
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
See photos as Wicklow knitters turn old car wheel hubs into works of art
An imaginative display that underscored the creative talent within the Carnew community, the hugely popular exhibition, which was extended for an extra week, demonstrated the power of art to connect people and support meaningful causes, with the knitters' ingenuity and dedication leaving a lasting impression on all who visited. As part of a collaboration between the group and Carnew Tidy Towns that promises to further enhance the town's beauty, the repurposed wheel hubs will soon be integrated into the town's floral displays, adding a unique touch of artistry to the village streets. Awestruck by the exhibition, May Brennan and Majella Tyrell from Carnew Tidy Towns were deeply impressed by the group's efforts and the volume of work presented, expressing their enthusiasm for incorporating the knitted creations into the town's aesthetic. During the exhibition, the knitters also used the opportunity to give back to the community, presenting a cheque for €2,000 raised through their previous 'Map of Ireland' knitted project to Carnew Community Care Secretary Pat Brennan, who extended heartfelt gratitude to the knitting group, assuring them that the donation would contribute significantly to the much-anticipated kitchen renovations at the centre. 'Visitors and residents alike are encouraged to keep an eye out for these charming 'knitted wheel hubs' as they make their debut alongside Carnew's flourishing flowers,' Carnew Community Care manager Anne Kavanagh said. 'Truly, the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and community continues to thrive in Carnew.' The knitted Map of Ireland exhibition, recently featured on RTE Nationwide, is ongoing at Carnew Community Care.
