Brands and history rarely pass muster and our finger was about to hit delete on a PR mail about how ‘Kilkenny Design has the ultimate gift selection for Father’s Day’ but something stopped us in tracks and made us scroll and stop at ‘Foxford Michael Collins Throw’.
Apparently, in early 1922, Foxford Woollen Mills presented a specially commissioned Travel Blanket to General Michael Collins to mark his appointment to Commander in Chief of the newly established Irish Army. The blanket was in his armoured car at the ambush at Beal Na Blath in August 1922. It was recovered at Shanakiel Hospital by Nurse Nora O’Donaghue and later donated to the National Museum.
Foxford Woollen Mills have reproduced the blanket in conjunction with the Michael Collins House in Clonakilty. The blanket is in olive, gold and white in a Melange yarn, using a traditional Foxford check. A vintage 4 ply yarn was used for the weaving similar to the quality wool used in the early part of the last century. So, there’s actually a genuine rather than tenuous connection. History has put its arm around the shoulder of commerce.
kilkennydesign.com/foxford-michael-collins-throw
€185
