Handcrafted with a unique blend of Irish Wool in an authentic ‘Farm to Yarn’ process
Ériu is a new, ethical Irish blanket brand rooted in the mysticism of Ireland’s ancient practices. With a unique blend of pure Irish wool crafted in Donegal, Ériu blankets are curated to wrap you and your loved ones in and to create heirlooms to hand down. Ériu is named after the patron goddess of Ireland, queen of fertility, sovereignty and abundance who embodies the concept of sustainability. Ériu was founded by Irish designer Zoe Daly and farmer Lionel Mackey, who are passionate about Ireland’s ancient mythology and ancestry.
Sourced only from Irish farmers working with select sheep breeds, this unique blend of pure Irish wool is lovingly handcrafted by knitwear designers based in Dublin who have been working with luxury natural fibres for decades. With attention to ancient practices, the concept of ‘Farm to Yarn’ ensures authentic supply chain transparency and full traceability. Ériu value their natural resources, farmers, craft makers, land and the ancestral wisdom of working with wool. This is a slow, sustainable, and sovereign practice, just the way our ancestors worked.
Ériu have created two types of luxury blankets, The Heirloom Baby Blanket (€144) and The Family Blanket (€288), both in 3 colourways: Honeybee, Sea-Song and Rosebud with a minimal twist on traditional stitches. “The baby blanket is a luxury gift blanket echoing memories of the handknit blankets my granny made for my daughter. The Family Blanket is a piece we would like people to integrate into their everyday: to be used at your desk while working from home, a throw on your bed or couch, around your knees or shoulders for these pandemic-outdoor focused times. To be used in a very versatile way as a textile/fashion piece, worn and loved all over your home and with family and friends. These blankets improve with use and wear.”
Zoe Daly says
“The story starts with my granny Kitsy. She’s from Sligo and has knitted her whole life. When my daughter was born 6 years ago (on her birthday as luck would have it) she knitted her a baby blanket. There was something about this blanket, that despite having store-bought ones, I kept returning to. It was perfect for every situation, and the knitted stitch made it cellular and breathable which is always a worry for mums. It always seemed to keep her at the perfect temperature also and I found when she was upset and I didn’t know what was wrong I just wrapped her in the “Kitsy” blanket and it calmed her. I realised after a while it was so special because of the love that was put into it, and the material as it was made from 100% pure wool.
I wanted to emulate this blanket and searched for the softest quality Irish wool I could find, and a way of handcrafting it with the same attention to detail, on a bigger scale. I wanted to make a genuine Irish blanket that re-created the feeling I received from mine. However I couldn’t find any suitable Irish wool in shops. Most pure wool is merino and imported from New Zealand and China. The sparse amount of Irish wool I could find didn’t feel soft enough to wrap a baby in.
As I researched further I was saddened to find out that Irish wool was considered “worthless” and most of it is exported to China for the carpet industry. And that we import most wool considered suitable for knitwear from the other side of the world.
I went and met farmers who were also saddened by the decline in the Irish industry where for the past few decades the cost of shearing a sheep is higher than the price they get for it. I found it hard to believe, especially as we have such a rich heritage of textile making in this country. The home of the Aran sweater! This all seemed a shame to me.
Then I discovered a new community. Small, sustainable farmers who are committed to reclaiming our woolen traditions, our cottage industry heritage. New breeds of sheep, new blends of wool, new ways of reigniting old skills.
I met Lionel Mackey, a Wicklow farmer and businessman, who understood the problems of the wool industry and the challenges involved with sourcing and processing Irish wool.
Together, we set up Ériu – after the patron goddess of Ireland, queen of fertility, sovereignty and abundance. We wanted to create a thoroughly sustainable process of making Irish woolen blankets, sourcing directly from farmers, and enlisting local textile artisans. “Farm to Yarn” has become our mantra and our vision.”
By purchasing an Ériu blanket, you support Irish sheep farmers and breeds through their Farm to Yarn process. You incentivise an industry that used to form the backbone of Ireland but for the last few decades has gone into a tragic decline.
Ériu is rising. She knows the value of our land. We invite you to take her hand and be part of a sustainability story.
The blankets are available online at www.eriu.eu and selected stores: Mira Mira, Sandymount; Reuzi, Foxrock; Over the Moon, Monkstown and Granny’s Bottom Drawer, Kinsale.
