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The Journal
a day ago
- 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.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Hunt for new home for huge woollen Ireland map that took 4yrs to knit – how many iconic Irish landmarks can you spot?
A GIGANTIC 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 6 The 12 foot by 11 foot wool map of Ireland took four years of knitting and crocheting Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 6 Mary Blake points to a boat in memory of Margaret Dowse who passed away during the creation of her group's knitted map Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 6 The Burren in Co Clare features on the creation Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 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. READ MORE IRISH NEWS The 12ft by 11ft 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 READ ON THE IRISH SUN '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. I'm an American tourist and explored two major Irish seaside towns – here's what I got up to '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. 'We couldn't do something to represent every county but we did places like Glendalough, the Japanese Gardens in '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. PUBLIC DISPLAY PLEA '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. She added: '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. '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. She said: 'I have lots of favourites but I think Hook Head and the Viking ship are particularly nice and colourful and great to work on. '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.' 6 Fungi the Dolphin from Dingle got a spot on the map Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 6 Cork's Blarney Castle takes a spot on the knitted map Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 6 A scene from the Galway Races on the stunning display Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- 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.'
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
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. Advertisement 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. The knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew, Co Wicklow. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. 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. Advertisement 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, Advertisement '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. Blarney Castle, which features on a knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Co Wicklow. Photo: Carson/PA. '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. '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. Advertisement '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.' Advertisement She added: 'It gives people a purpose. We also knit blankets for local hospitals. Mary Blake points to a boat in memory of Margaret Dowse, who died during the creation of her group's knitted map of Ireland. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. '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.'
RTÉ News
a day ago
- 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."
