Closely knit volunteers unveil crafty poem

WEDNESDAY marked International Day of the Volunteer. For the 100 plus volunteers and 40 groups that were involved in the Clare Volunteer Centre’s Knitting Our Community Together project, it was the day they first got to see the unveiling of Clare’s first-ever knitted poem.

The foyer of Glór in Ennis was brimming with anticipation as RTÉ sports commentator Marty Morrissey officially launched the 14ft x 9ft knitted art piece celebrating Clare’s tightly knit communities.

It was also the first time people got a chance to see and hear the poem written by Ciarán Collins who won the Clare Volunteer Centre’s poetry competition held earlier this year. Ciarán was presented with his prize of an Apple iPad by Vincent Hely, ActionPoint Technology, while the 10 runner-ups, Tanya Arthur, Andrew McCarthy, Amy Lenihan, Dale Woodland, Ciara Duggan, Tadhg Collins, Sadbh Dunne, Mary Kate Clancy, Nell Hartney and Deborah Lenihan were presented with €50 Ennis Gold Vouchers sponsored by local Credit Unions.

As well as winning an Apple iPad, Ciarán’s poem was chosen to be knitted into an art piece, representing Clare’s tightly knit communities. Volunteer knitters were given patterns of individual letters, unaware of the significance of each knitted square. The eight-line poem was revealed in all its colour and vibrancy much to the delight of the volunteers and groups who had had a part in its creation.

Sharon Meaney, manager of the centre, officially acknowledged the volunteers from far and wide who contributed to the creation of the knitted poem as well as making a special mention to the finishing team who spent four weeks, joining together the individual squares to create the finished art piece.

Sharon spoke about the difference volunteers make every day in local communities, “Our local communities are transformed every day by the generosity of volunteers. People who give of their time for the benefit of others, individuals who believe in making a difference and those who lead by example. The Knitting Our Community Together project has joined people of different ages, from all areas of the world to believe in the value of celebrating our communities and ultimately creating something, which will hopefully inspire others.” The Knitted Poem will be on display in Glór until December 19.