Headford Yarnbombers Christmas Tree

It all started with a four day cultural event in Headford called The Nesting Lark, curated by Eilís Nic Dhonncha, featuring the work of local artists, including Veronika Straberger. This was a pilot project as part of the Galway bid for European Capital of Culture. (You may remember the fabulous bird boxes that appeared throughout the town). Veronika invited the community to “sit and knit” in a variety of locations throughout Headford. The locations included The Angler’s Rest, Headford Credit Union, The Bank of Ireland and Doctor’s waiting rooms, and other places where people might be found with time on their hands. Hooks and wool were left with an invite to sit and knit a row or two.

Veronika then went about covering bike racks, trees and plant boxes with the knitted pieces.

Mogs McDonald and Mairead Mckeon continued the project, creating their wonderful old bike pieces. They then decided to bring the idea to the local Nursing home on the Corrib. The group of talented knitters went to the nursing home and sat amongst the residents knitting. Soon, some of the residents remembered their own knitting skills and were joining in!

There were the hearts on trees for Valentines Day and then the group decided to create a project during covid, “Who are the people in your neighbourhood?” (remember the song in Sesame street?) With funding from Galway Rural Development, they put a call out to the community to honour the people we love, by sending in their photo. The group then knit the person from the photo and put them on bollards around the town!

“We had Willie, from Campbell’s Tavern, Nicola Joyce, Nancy the Clown and other characters from around the area” recalls Ester Kiely, a member of the yarnbombers.

The group is still going strong with over 400 members on facebook. “Members can be as far away as Cork”, explains Ester,” there is no pressure, people can crochet as little as one square towards a project or as many as they like.”

Their wonderful art pieces have remained a regular feature of the town throughout the year. Watch out for the giant Christmas tree going up this weekend at the lights and their famous Christmas tree at Campbell’s going up closer to Christmas.

The yarn bombers meet every Wednesday at 7.30 in either the Angler’s Rest or Campbell’s Tavern. All are welcome – even absolute beginners, like myself.

For the Headford Yarnbombers Facebook Page, click here