Go maire tú is go gcaithe tú é… May you live long to wear it… This is the eloquent sentiment traditionally used on the island when gifting a unique piece, woven or knitted especially for the recipient. Clothing has always had an importance beyond warmth on the Aran Islands. Women looked after the dressing of the whole household; spinning, dying, weaving and knitting yarn to design, and make, clothing for all the family. read more

Presenting a festive gift of a beautiful traditional Irish tune, Master Crowleys, played by TG4 Young Musician of the Year, Sorcha Costello. It was a significant year for Inis Meáin Knitting Company as founders Tarlach and Áine de Blacam, passed on management to their son Ruairí, and his wife Marie-Thérèse after almost 50 years. We are proud to continue making luxury knitwear in the Aran Islands, helping to sustain a small island community and an important part of Irish culture, through the very appreciated support of many loyal customers and discerning stores around the world. read more

From the intricate designs to the functional details, the knitwear from the shores of the North Atlantic is steeped in history and meaning. Scattered across the frigid waters off Great Britain and Scandinavia and beyond, islands—both big and small, imposing and inviting—are home to an ongoing tradition of crafting distinctive sweaters that can only truly come from one place. read more

At Inis Meáin, we have been designing and making high quality knitwear, in the Aran Islands, for almost 50 years. With the aim of making our clients look and feel extraordinary, in the process, we are sustaining an island community, and preserving an important part of Irish history and culture by making it relevant to a modern, worldly audience. read more

Irish Aran Knitting is traditionally quite heavy, usually 2.5 or 3 gauge or 2 to 3 needle per inch. 12 gauge knitting or 12 needles per inch is rare in this part of the world. 7 years ago, we decided to experiment with 12 gauge because we saw it as an important addition to facilitate layering in our collections. We were also experiencing demand for lighter weight knitwear to suit modern living conditions. read more

It began with a single photograph, taken in 1918. We have it on the wall in our studio. A father and his daughter, with five young children alongside them. Everything they are wearing was locally hand-made. All the children are in petticoats, as was Island custom, because the tailor didn’t have time to sew trousers for boys until they reached seven or eight. He always made them his standard jacket though; even young lads got one. That tradition was part of Island life, and, in 1992, became the original inspiration for our iconic Shirt Jacket. read more