A world-beating knitted map of Ireland has been saved by a craft and design fair – and is now set to be viewed by audiences nationwide.
19 Wicklow women spent six years creating the breathtaking woolly work of art, which was confirmed by Guinness World Records in September as the largest knitted diorama on Earth.
But with no permanent home, the 171sq ft piece, started in 2018 by Creative Crafters, a group of knitting friends in Carnew Community Centre in Co Wicklow, faced an uncertain future.
Now Gifted, the contemporary craft and design fair which opened on December 3 at the RDS in Dublin, has agreed to preserve it and offer it out on loan across the country.
The diorama will be on display at the Dublin venue until Sunday, December 7, but thereafter will be offered to art galleries, county council offices, and community groups across Ireland for public exhibition.
A person admiring the world record-breaking knitted map of Ireland.
“We were conscious that the group was trying to find a permanent home for it, but with no success,” said Patrick O’Sullivan, organiser of Gifted.
“It was going to be packed up and stored away in boxes, which would have been a shame.
“We believe that this particular diorama is so large and so detailed that it is of cultural significance to the country.
“It represents the island of Ireland in a snapshot of time and will, in time, be of historical importance.
“We are delighted to become the custodians of the map and not only put it on display at Gifted, but also to facilitate other cultural institutions who may wish to take it on loan, at no cost.
“There is no reason why it couldn’t be displayed in an arts centre, a council building or community centre - and perhaps the OPW (Office of Public Works) should step in and put it on permanent display.”
Patrick O'Sullivan with the knitted map of Ireland.
After a lengthy delay caused by COVID-19, the diorama was finally completed last year.
Knitter and Creative Crafters spokeswoman Liz Butler said it felt ‘very emotional’ to see the map being so highly valued.
“We didn’t do it for recognition, we just did it as a challenge,” she said.
“Sadly, not all of the women lived to see the project completed, but their effort and legacy remains.”
Liz Butler (R) and her fellow Creative Crafters member Mary Blake (L) before the piece went on display at Gifted.
She said the group based its creation on animated tourist maps depicting key attractions around Ireland.
“We knew it was going to be big so we decided to put it together like a puzzle, we did the four provinces and instinctively knew that we needed to have iconic landmarks in there, such as Hook Head in Wexford.
“We thought we’d have it on display for three weeks in the community centre and we’d pack it away, but it just grew legs; the Guinness world record was the icing on the cake."
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