{"id":171062,"date":"2025-11-09T07:56:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T07:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/171062\/"},"modified":"2025-11-09T07:56:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T07:56:19","slug":"the-faces-behind-the-revival-of-irish-knitwear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/171062\/","title":{"rendered":"The faces behind the revival of Irish knitwear"},"content":{"rendered":"

For decades, Irish knitwear was more prominent in a souvenir shop than on a fashion runway. Aran jumpers and heavy cardigans carried a reputation for being durable but dowdy, practical garments rather than style statements. That perception is shifting.<\/p>\n

Irish knitwear is undergoing a renaissance. From Taylor Swift sporting Aran in her folklore album rollout, to Sarah Jessica Parker being spotted in Donegal\u2019s Triona Design, it seems our knitwear is being freshly recognised for its craft, versatility, and contemporary appeal.<\/p>\n

At the centre of this revival is IrelandsEye Knitwear, a family-run business based in Dublin that has been producing knitwear for over 40 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today, under the direction of brothers Paul and Brendan O\u2019Sullivan, the company is thriving both at home and abroad, with its pieces being worn by celebrities and featured in major television productions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite its success, IrelandsEye remains deeply rooted in its Irish identity, blending heritage with innovation in a way that mirrors the wider resurgence of the textile.<\/p>\n

\"IrelandsEye'sIrelandsEye’s Fia polo vest<\/p>\n

Founded in 1988, IrelandsEye began as a small operation producing knitwear inspired by traditional Irish stitches.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over time, the company expanded its reach while keeping production firmly in Dublin. This decision has set it apart: While many fashion businesses have moved manufacturing overseas, IrelandsEye has kept every stage of design and production under one roof.<\/p>\n

That commitment has paid dividends. The brand\u2019s knitwear has appeared on Sharon Horgan in Bad Sisters, where her character Eva Garvey wore several of the brand\u2019s signature cardigans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Amy Huberman\u2019s favourite cardigan from the brand proved so popular that, after being discontinued, it had to be brought back into production.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While those celebrity moments have helped put the brand in the spotlight, its growing profile rests on something deeper: A renewed appreciation for quality, sustainability, and Irish-made design.<\/p>\n

A visit to the factory on the outskirts of Dublin reveals the scale of the operation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The steady hum of knitting machines fills the space as panels of soft wool appear in colours ranging from natural oat to coral and moss green.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Designers adjust patterns on screens while skilled finishers link seams by hand and check every stitch. There is a quiet pride in the process, and every tag that reads \u201cMade in Ireland\u201d carries that story.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Nuada crewneck, by IrelandsEye<\/p>\n

D\u00c9ANTA IN \u00c9IRINN<\/p>\n

\u201cAt IrelandsEye, we want to hold on to enough of the heritage, but then make knitwear relevant for modern life,\u201d says managing director Paul O\u2019Sullivan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFor authenticity, and as part of our DNA, it\u2019s important our brand is made here in Ireland.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we marry that with contemporary elements \u2014 modern design, modern shapes, soft yarns and, of course, colour.\u201d<\/p>\n

That balance between past and present defines the new era of Irish knitwear. While the brand\u2019s name references a small island off the Dublin coast, its outlook is global.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many of its yarns come from the southern hemisphere, where merino wool offers the softness customers expect.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Ireland, historically, sheep have been bred for meat rather than fibre,\u201d O\u2019Sullivan explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOur climate produces a coarser fleece. In places like New Zealand, they\u2019ve spent generations breeding for fine merino wool. Here, that\u2019s starting to happen too, but it will take time. It would be lovely to think that someday the Irish clip could be fine enough for us to use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite this, the brand\u2019s Irishness is unmistakable. Traditional stitches such as honeycomb, diamond, and cable remain central but are now reimagined in modern silhouettes and updated palettes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about keeping the character of the fabric but modernising the shape and colour,\u201d says O\u2019Sullivan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n \u201cUp until maybe 20 years ago, it was all lumber cardigans and traditional Arans. Now, Irish knitwear is really quite cool. We want people to look at a piece and think, that looks Irish, the same way you\u2019d recognise something Italian.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

Sustainability is another crucial aspect of the business. Excess yarn is donated to schools and community groups so nothing goes to waste, and they continue to invest in greener production methods.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe try to bring a considered approach to everything we do, from employment practices to production values,\u201d remarks O\u2019Sullivan. \u201cWe want to leave a better, lighter footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n

For today\u2019s consumers, that mindset resonates. People are buying less and buying better \u2014 choosing garments that last.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople aren\u2019t buying our sweaters because they\u2019re cold,\u201d O\u2019Sullivan reveals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey buy them because they want them. We hear from customers who\u2019ve had a jumper for 10 years, who ring us looking for a bit of wool to mend it. They love it, they\u2019ve worn it in, it\u2019s part of their life. That\u2019s the best thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HowHow to Gael x IrelandsEye. Picture: Br\u00edd O’Donovan<\/p>\n

STILL HERITAGE, STILL ALIVE<\/p>\n

While IrelandsEye represents tradition and continuity, a new generation of Irish designers is pushing wool into unexpected places.<\/p>\n

At S\u00c9 Studios, knitwear takes sculptural, minimalist forms that border on art. Designer Caoimhe Dowling, under her label Seeking Judy, uses colour and texture with playful abandon, while Lydia Eakin reimagines pattern and proportion with humour and warmth. Together, they are redefining what Irish wool can be: Sharp, expressive, and experimental.<\/p>\n

This revival is visible across Ireland\u2019s fashion calendar. Following the success of Dublin Independent Fashion Week, Ireland Fashion Week this month put knitwear firmly in the spotlight, with IrelandsEye among the participants.<\/p>\n

\u201cHistorically, Irish knitwear was seen as something for tourists,\u201d O\u2019Sullivan admits. \u201cThat was 20 years ago. Showing at events like Irish Fashion Week or Create in Brown Thomas helps people see it in a contemporary way. It puts knitwear in the fashion space, not the souvenir space.\u201d<\/p>\n

The company has also embraced collaboration, teaming up with designer Aoife McNamara and working on a new project with podcasters How To Gael.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s another part of our culture,\u201d O\u2019Sullivan says. \u201cIt\u2019s still heritage, but it\u2019s alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the O\u2019Sullivans hope this revival will go beyond fashion and help spark a wider revaluing of local manufacturing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be great to see the industry thriving \u2014 making knitwear here so that if it\u2019s ours, it really is ours,\u201d says O\u2019Sullivan. \u201cAnd I\u2019d love to see people recognise the value of working in production, of making something. Once people come into our factory, they tend to stay. There\u2019s a real buzz in creating something tangible.\u201d<\/p>\n

His hope for the future is simple: \u201cJust as the French are renowned for their wine, I\u2019d love for the Irish to be recognised for our knitwear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Irish wool may once have been seen as scratchy and old-fashioned, destined for souvenir shelves. Today, it is at the heart of something much more exciting.<\/p>\n

\u00a0From the hum of machines in a Dublin factory to the catwalks of Irish Fashion Week, Irish knitwear has found its rhythm again \u2014 woven from heritage, creativity, and a renewed sense of pride.<\/p>\n

Five labels stitching the future of knitwear<\/p>\n

\"MotherMother of Pearl, Pearl Reddington knitwear<\/p>\n

\n Pearl Reddington\n <\/p>\n

From her studio in Raheny, Co. Dublin, Pearl Reddington is building a brand that is both intimate and instinctive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her knits subvert Irish knitwear norms, with her neon-imbued garments that encapsulate city life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Collaborating with artisans in Donegal, Reddington uses locally spun merino wool, giving her pieces a soft, fluid texture that feels unmistakably Irish.<\/p>\n

Colour is her language. Reddington\u2019s signature palette includes themes of navy, grey and pops of neon, with combinations that are both natural and striking.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Each bespoke piece is designed for movement and comfort, yet they always possess a deliberate edge that sets them apart.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pearl Reddington\u2019s upcoming collection is set to launch in November 2025, which marks another step forward for a designer whose work continues to grow in confidence and clarity.<\/p>\n

\n Linda Wilson Knitwear\n <\/p>\n

Based in Limerick City, Linda Wilson has built a reputation for knitwear that combines structure, precision, and a compelling colour palette.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A graduate of the Limerick School of Art and Design, Wilson brings both technical skill and creative control to her collections.<\/p>\n

Each piece is designed and crafted in her studio using a blend of merino lambswool, silk, and cashmere, which gives her knits a smooth finish.<\/p>\n

Wilson works the yarn with distinctive stitch structures, creating textiles that are grounded in Ireland\u2019s knitting heritage while staying firmly fashion-forward.<\/p>\n

Her lines feature geometric rhythm and textural depth. Colour is a strategic tool: grounded bases such as dark brown or mouse are accented by coral, chartreuse, kingfisher blue or sunflower yellow.<\/p>\n

The result is a collection of pieces that coordinate with ease yet carry personality. Every design reflects a balance of practicality and design ambition.<\/p>\n

Linda Wilson Knitwear offers garments that are intentional in design yet effortless in wear.<\/p>\n

\"PelladorPellador knitwear<\/p>\n

\n Pellador\n <\/p>\n

Pellador introduces a contemporary edge to Irish knitwear. The Dublin-based label boasts the crossover of sport and style, blending references to football heritage with contemporary tailoring and knit techniques.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Their jumpers play with structure and proportion, blending the familiarity of a classic crew-neck with the detail of tailored knitwear.<\/p>\n

There is a sense of movement in everything Pellador makes. The cuts are neat, the knits are lightweight yet warm, and the colours shift between forest green, deep wine and glimpses of yellow or cobalt.<\/p>\n

The collections reflect the idea of football jerseys without ever feeling literal, materialising the spirit of a community and identity that connects with younger wearers.<\/p>\n

They sit as comfortably in a pub as they do at an event, bridging sport and style in a way that feels natural.<\/p>\n

\"OriginalOriginal super colossal knit jacket, Hope Macaulay, \u20ac355.09.jpg<\/p>\n

\n Hope Macaulay\n <\/p>\n

Few designers have reshaped perceptions of Irish knitwear quite like Hope Macaulay.<\/p>\n

From her studio in Coleraine, she has built a distinct visual world defined by oversized shapes, rich colour and hand-knitted texture.<\/p>\n

Each piece is crafted by a network of local knitters across Northern Ireland, giving the brand a unique blend of scale and intimacy.<\/p>\n

Macaulay\u2019s designs are both bold and creative; her signature chunky cardigans and jumpers, often in swirls of pink, lilac, blue and citrus, have become statement pieces for a new generation of wearers.<\/p>\n

They are tactile and joyful, sitting somewhere between fashion and art, yet still grounded in the skill of traditional hand knitting.<\/p>\n

Macaulay\u2019s knitwear has featured on global platforms and in major fashion shoots, yet remains firmly rooted in community and slow production.<\/p>\n

\n Kittenish Knits\n <\/p>\n

Kittenish Knits is one of the brightest new names in Irish knitwear, bringing fun and individuality back into the craft.<\/p>\n

Featured in the Irish Independent\u2019s Ones to Watch 2024, and recently sold at Dublin Independent Fashion Week, the label has found a following for its hand-knitted pieces that mix colour, texture, and attitude.<\/p>\n

Stocked in Om Diva in Dublin, Kittenish Knits has become a favourite among a younger demographic that appreciates originality and small-scale production.<\/p>\n

The brand\u2019s cropped shapes, ribbon and fur details, and colour pairings feel spontaneous and expressive \u2013 the kind of knitwear that stands out on the street as easily as it does in a boutique.<\/p>\n

Kittenish Knits embodies a lighter, more experimental side of Irish fashion, defined by independence, innovation and confidence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For decades, Irish knitwear was more prominent in a souvenir shop than on a fashion runway. Aran jumpers…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":171063,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[18,117,19,2902,17],"class_list":{"0":"post-171062","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-insight","12":"tag-ireland"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115518674417578269","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171062"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171062\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}