Imagine stepping off the ferry to Inis Mor and going back in time… This is a beautiful corner of Ireland, nestled off the coast of Galway in the harsh Atlantic Ocean. Irish is still the first language in the Aran Islands, and life here happens at a slower pace. The communities that have lived here for hundreds of years maintain a unique connection with their heritage, and the St Patrick’s Day celebrations here are something special.

 

Here, we’ll take a dive into the history of this incredible place, which epitomises Ireland’s cultural riches. We’ll explore the way that St Patrick’s Day is traditionally celebrated, and how this has evolved over the years. We’ll discover why the Aran sweater is particularly important to the people of the Aran Islands, and we’ll take a look at our top picks to make the most of St Patrick’s Day this year.

 

St Patrick’s Day: Why we Celebrate

 

On 17th March, we celebrate the life of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Legend tells us that he arrived in Ireland as a slave at the age of sixteen, late in the 4th century. He had grown up in Roman Britain and after escaping from slavery, he returned to Ireland to bring Christianity to the people of Ireland. He is said to have established many monasteries, churches and schools in Ireland, and he is at the core of many Irish legends. For instance, he is believed to have driven snakes out of Ireland, and to have explained the concept of the Holy Trinity using the infamous Irish shamrock, making it so important in our celebrations and Irish identity today.

 

St Patrick’s Day has long been celebrated in Ireland, with religious services at the core of the festivities for many years, as well as community feasts. Emigrants to the USA took St Patrick’s Day with them, celebrating the first St Patrick’s Day parade in Boston in 1737, and it has since become a huge occasion across the United States. Big parades and large public events are commonly held in US cities, and the city of Chicago has been colouring its river green to celebrate the occasion since 1962!

 

Wearing green has become central to St Patrick’s Day celebrations, and we have a gorgeous selection of green sweaters and cardigans for you to choose from. The shamrock is a popular choice, and many Irish people and tourists immerse themselves in events across the world. In Ireland, the religious aspect of this festival remains, with attendance at mass still central to the celebrations of many people. However, the secular elements of the day have been adopted into most celebrations for the occasion, since these are so popular and also appeal to tourists.

 

St Patrick’s Day on Inis Mor

 

St Patrick’s Day is a celebration of all things Irish, and it has been celebrated in the Emerald Isle for many years. Today, more than 70 million people worldwide celebrate the feast day, but the religious roots of the occasion are still at the core of the celebrations on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands.

 

On Inis Mor, mass is held at local churches and these are often timed to fit with the community celebrations in the area. The parade begins at 1pm in Kilronan, including tractors and floats decorated for the occasion, along with music and celebrations in the bars all day. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in tradition and make the most of the music, food and incredible community that make this place so special. St Patrick’s Day is a big event for Islanders, with everyone donning their favourite green outfits and stepping out to enjoy the craic, immersed in the Irish language and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

 

Aran Sweaters on St Patrick’s Day

 

The Aran sweater epitomises Irish style, and the history of these stunning sweaters is bound with Inis Mor. Aran sweaters were first created here, made by islanders in these remote communities to protect their loved ones as they fished and farmed in all seasons. The original cable knit designs are still used today, often made with softer wool blends, and they are popular all over the world as a practical and stylish choice for any occasion.

 

The Aran sweater has endured throughout centuries and in the 1950s, it took a step into the big time when it was featured in Vogue magazine. Beloved by celebrities and fashion houses all over the planet, the style is now included in catwalk collections as standard and is sported on the silver screen and worn by the biggest stars. At its roots, the Aran sweater is still recognisable for its heritage and simplicity, and at Aran Sweater Market, we are proud to be a part of the process.

When you’re looking for the perfect St Patrick’s Day attire, you’ll want something that is teolai agus compordach (cosy and comfortable), as we would say in Irish, and that pays tribute to the legends that Ireland is built on. We recommend the statement Aran sweater, with its unique history and standout style, and a green Aran sweater simply ticks every box for this special occasion.

 

Your Unique Irish Sweater

 

Finding an Irish sweater you love is easy - the only trouble is narrowing down your selection to just one or two items! Our collection includes a number of stunning green styles that are perfect for St Patrick’s Day celebrations, and we’ll share these with you here. Our favourites include:

 

1. The Merino Honeycomb Aran Sweater. The gorgeous Merino Honeycomb Aran Sweater is the perfect choice for St Patrick’s Day, in a green shade named Kiwi that will give the leprechauns a run for their money. This is a beautiful combination of traditional cable and honeycomb stitches, said to bring protection and good luck to the wearer, made from soft Merino wool that is comfortable and light enough to wear all year round.

 

2. Men’s Heavyweight Traditional Aran Wool Sweater. Our Men’s Heavyweight Traditional Aran Wool Sweater is the classic Aran style that is just as well suited to a country walk as a cosy evening in the pub. We love the Moss Green shade for St Patrick’s Day, and this is one of our most popular designs. It’s made from 100% New Wool, combining traditional honeycomb and cable stitches with a crew neck collar to provide extra thickness and warmth, making it the ideal choice for the colder seasons.

 

3. Super Soft Luxury Button-Up Cardigan. If you’re looking for something that will be versatile enough to wear all year round with any outfit, you’ll love the Super Soft Luxury Button-Up Cardigan in Meadow Green. It’s a great choice for St Patrick’s Day in this vibrant green colour, or you can choose a gentle pastel shade to suit the springtime palette. This cardigan is made from the softest Merino wool and is a lightweight design that can keep you cosy in the colder months and ensure you’re warm enough on summer evenings, too. It features a traditional Aran cable pattern and gives a contemporary twist to the classic design, securing its place as a much loved favourite for many of our customers.

 

4. Merino Honeycomb and Cable Pom Pom Hat. If you want to add a touch of authentic Irish charm to your St Patrick’s Day outfit but feel that all-over green is not your thing, you can embrace the occasion with this cosy Merino Honeycomb and Cable Pom Hat. This is a great design, and it can be worn with the matching snood to make your outfit complete. We love the soft Merino wool that feels great next to your skin, while the unique cable stitching patterns ensure that you stand out from the crowd.

 

5. Aran Cable Wool Poncho. If you tend to feel the cold or you don’t own a great many green items of clothing, a poncho can be a brilliant solution! It’s a great way to cover up when the weather turns or to add a touch of green to your outfit on 17th March, and the Aran Cable Wool Poncho is a gorgeous choice. It’s a modern take on a classic Irish design and is a practical and flattering one-size garment that suits all body types. Made in Ireland from super soft Merino wool, the Celtic green is perfect for St Patrick’s Day and there are several other gorgeous colours choices so you can wear one for every season!

 

We also have a stunning range of scarves, wraps, ponchos and leg warmers in bright and beautiful shades of green, so you can choose the very best combination to make the most of your St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

 

Clan Aran Sweaters

 

There’s nothing like connecting with your authentic family history, and our Clan Aran range is designed to make the most of tradition and provide you with a truly meaningful garment. Clan Aran sweaters feature the designs and motifs of particular Clan names, and they are very special indeed. The word ‘clan’ comes from the word ‘Clann’, meaning family in Irish. Every sweater and scarf in this collection is handmade, and many different clans around Ireland are included.

 

Clan Aran sweaters come with the history of the family name, including the motto, in the original Irish language as well as in translation. This is a very special way to connect with your unique roots, and the importance of traditional crafts to this incredible part of the world, and you can make the most of your gorgeous Clan sweater on St Patrick’s Day and all year round. Authentic craftsmanship in Ireland is embedded deep in our identity, and these intricate sweaters are the perfect way to preserve these traditions for future generations.

 

Taking a Trip to Inis Mor

 

To visit Inis Mor, you can take the passenger ferry from Rossaveel, or from Doolin or Galway City at certain times of the year, or you can take a seven minute flight from Connemara Regional Airport. The fastest ferry, which runs all year round, is from Rossaveel, and this takes 40 minutes, which begins to explain the remote nature of Inis Mor and the rest of the Aran Islands. Cut off from the mainland for most of their lives, the communities here really were on their own and forced to be self sufficient, sustaining themselves by fishing and foraging as well as growing their own food.

 

Once you arrive on Inis Mor, you might want to rent a bike to explore the island, and this is  a great way to see the unique landscape and coastline. It’s also possible to take a pony and trap tour, or a minibus or taxi. Don’t miss The Wormhole - Inis Mor’s famous cliff jumping spot. The beaches are stunning here, and the Kilmurvey beach may be the most idyllic.  With a Hill Fort and plenty of incredible places to discover, the sense of history is palpable here and you are sure to enjoy your visit.

 

Irish Aran Sweaters for St Patrick’s Day

 

An Aran sweater is a wardrobe staple for fashion fans all over the world, and it is easy to see why. Combining traditional charm and practical modern style, these designs take the best of Irish history and make it shine. We love being part of the movement to preserve Irish heritage for future generations, and our commitment to working with local artisans means that we only use the very best materials and designs in the products we stock. Take a look at our cardigans, jackets, ponchos and wraps, as well as the winter essentials, such as hats, scarves, leg warmers and hand warmers in our collection.

 

We have stores located in the Aran Islands, Galway, Killarney and Dublin, and you’ll find our full catalogue on our website. Our friendly team will be happy to help you find the clothing and homewares you want for St Patrick’s Day and all year round. Our Irish roots are very important to us, and we wish you a wonderful celebration on St Patrick’s Day. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh!