The Knitting Map flows on through the crypt of St Luke's Church, all 40 metres of it. Almost 3,000 volunteer knitters were involved during the year and the 1,270 visitors included President Mary McAleese last week.

Embossed with 26 Aran stitch designs and including 19 hand-dyed colours, this computer-guided textile imaging of Cork's climate is about to start travelling around the world as the first ambassador of the city's year of culture.

Its final home in Cork has yet to be decided but it is understood that the location will be announced on December 10th, to coincide with the publication of Voices; The Knitting Map Speaks by Kieran McCarthy.

The map has aroused a great deal of international interest and textile museums in the UK, Europe and the US are negotiating exhibition deals with its management company, half/angel.