Pupils from Muff 2 National School pictured with lap blankets they made from knitted panels donated by local lady Kathleen Irwin. They had originally made the knitted items into a 200 metre long scarf before being taking it apart to repurpose into the blankets which were then presented to Kingscourt Cancer Care along with a cash donation. Pictured seated Kathleen Irwin, Back row Amanda Ramsay (Kingscourt Cancer Care) Michael Buckley (Principal Muff 2 NS) and Agnes Clarke (Kingscourt Cancer Care).

A lifetime of knitting

Nicole McDermott

Published: Sun 29 Jun 2025, 11:34 AM

Muff 2 National School have set a record to break by creating what they believe is Cavan’s longest scarf – and maybe even Ireland’s. “We can find no record to the contrary!” says teacher Maria Carolan.

After a local woman gave them three bags full of hand-knitted scarves for DIY-projects, the 5th class girls took on the task of sewing the colourful pieces together to make Ireland’s longest scarf for a charitable cause. The scarf reached from the school office, across the yard and around the corner of the building and was just short of 200 meters, says Principal Michael Buckley. The girls had proven “teamwork, camaraderie and unbelievable dedication” in the task of repurposing the scarf as well.

The children researched charities they would like to support through the challenge. They decided upon local charity, Kingscourt Cancer Fund, which provides transport for oncology patients to their appointments. Some of the children had direct experience of the benefit of this charity.

The scarf was split again and then combined into lap blankets with the intention to donate to the drivers, to “provide a bit of comfort, warmth, cheer and love to patients who may be feeling tired or low on their return trips from hospital,” says Maria Carolan. Along with a monetary donation to the Cancer Fund, the school presented the gift to Agnes Clarke and Amanda Ramsey, “as an acknowledgement of their important work for the community”, said Principal Buckley.

Also present was the woman whose passion for knitting made this all possible: Kathleen Irwin. The 91-year-old has been knitting since she was four. It would be hard for anyone to beat that record. These days, she likes to sit on her chaise longue next to the cooker in the kitchen, the needles quietly clicking away, while listening to LMFM radio.

“It’s a great pasttime, especially in the winter when the days are so long,” she says.

“I don’t remember her ever not knitting,” says her daughter Ruth, who once was a student at Muff NS as well. Together with teacher Maria she retells the story of how they had to knit socks with four needles as a school assignment. “Very difficult,” admits Kathleen. In the end, she knitted not only her daughter’s, but also Maria’s socks. That their own teacher had cheated on an assignment made the schoolchildren giggle.

Kathleen Irwin admired the blankets the children had made out of her vibrant scarves: “I always liked the bright colours.”

She hopes the people will enjoy the blankets, while she will be sitting in her kitchen, passing the time knitting.