World-record knitted map Gifted new lease of life

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.

Nineteen Wicklow women spent six years creating the breathtaking woolly work of art – 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, faced an uncertain future.

Now Gifted, the contemporary craft and design fair, which opened today (December 3) at the RDS, 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, and after that it will be offered to art galleries, county council offices and community groups for public exhibition.

“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 put it on display at Gifted, and also to facilitate other cultural institutions who wish to take it on loan, at no cost.

“There is no reason 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.”

After a lengthy delay caused by Covid-19, the diorama was 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 remain.”

She said the group based their 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 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.”

The diorama, along with the work of more than 400 exhibitors, is on show at Gifted at the RDS until Sunday evening. Full details and booking at www.giftedfair.ie.

See An Olivia Chocolate in the food section at T1-T14.