Did you know the Aran sweater, a highly recognizable symbol of Ireland, will feature as an iconic fashion design of the twentieth century in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York?
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Ireland's Aran Sweater
Is Fashion Modern? opens on October 1, 2017 and runs through January 28, 2018, at the Museum of Modern Art, West 53rd Street, New York.
To celebrate the inclusion of Ireland's Aran jumper in this exhibition the good folks at Standún, Spiddal have sponsored a giveaway and are offering an Aran sweater as a prize for one lucky reader to win. And to really make this giveaway exciting, the winner can choose any Aran sweater from Standún's wonderful online collection.
But before I share the details of how to enter this giveaway, let's first learn more about the Aran sweater and the history of Standún, Spiddal.
The Exhibition Piece
The Aran jumper to be included in this exhibition is a traditional cream colored, hand-knitted piece dating back to the 1940's. Aran sweaters are part of Ireland's cultural artifacts.
Made using handspun, heavy, scoured wool it features many traditional patterns including diamond stitch, and open trellis patterns. It even showcases a different design on the front and back.
The National Museum of Ireland - Country Life in Castlebar, County Mayo included this sweater as part of an exhibition in 2008 and now it has crossed the Atlantic to share Ireland's rich, cultural heritage with New Yorkers.
The Popularity of the Aran Jumper or Sweater
Without a shadow of doubt there's a huge amount of romance and folklore associated with the Aran jumper.
Although the stitches utilized to create these masterpieces are not unique to Ireland, the combinations of stitching patterns, and styling have ensured the Aran has become a testament to Irish culture and heritage.
Aran sweaters have long contributed to the romanticism of Irish rural life and Irish folk art. Called jumpers rather than sweaters by the Irish, they became particularly popular worldwide from the 1950's onward.
The Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk group in the 1960's. Touring America in their trademark Aran jumpers they brought a love of Irish traditional music to the United States and rekindled appreciation for our folk music traditions in Ireland.
When the Clancy Brothers toured the world wearing Aran sweaters, these beautiful examples of Irish cratsmanship began to be exported from Ireland to shops in America, Europe and Japan.
And who supplied the Clancys with some of their beautiful sweaters? The Standúns of Spiddal of course.
A Connemara Love Story
In the early 1940's Máirtín Standún, who was born in Liverpool, England, and May, a music teacher from Mullingar, fell in love.
But theirs was not a typical love story, meeting at a dance or a local gathering. Their first meeting actually occurred in prison, when both were interned for supporting the cause of Irish Independance.
Máirtín Standún was imprisoned in the Curragh and May Mulready, was one of the first women ever interned in Mountjoy Prison.
While serving time, Máirtín met the Irish scholar and writer, Máirtín O'Cadhain from Spiddal in County Galway. In less than 15 months Standún learned how to speak Irish, and when released from prison he carried with him a passionate love for the Irish language and culture.
May and Máirtín were married and moved to Spiddal in 1946, where they founded a department store specializing in the sale of Irish merchandise and, of course, the Aran sweater.
Their move to Spiddal was inspired by May's love for Irish music and Máirtín's love for the Irish language.
This love for all things Irish, their devotion to each other and their uncompromising work ethic ensured their store grew and prospered and transformed into a memorable attraction on the Galway tourist trail.
Even some members of the iconic Irish American Kennedy family stopped by the shop in Spiddal to buy some Aran sweaters.
The Tradition Continues
May Standún was a well known fiddle player in Connemara. She was very good friends with the Clancy brothers, and helped inspire them to sport those wonderful Aran sweaters when touring the world with their folk band.
Other notable Irish musicians including Tommy Mackem, and Luke Kelly often stopped off in Spiddal to visit May and enjoy a good music session in the Standún shop.
Today, the traditions of supporting Irish culture and heritage continue at Standún, Spiddal.
May and Máirtín's granddaughters now run the shop in Spiddal and have continued their grandparents' entrepreneurial spirit by offering an online store.
It's lovely to see a family owned business and tradition continue to flourish in today's mega-business environment. Well done, girls!
The Prize
I know that readers of this little blog of mine love Aran sweaters as much as I do.
I'm thrilled to work with the girls at Standún again to bring you another little giveaway and a chance to win a beautiful piece of Aran knitwear.
This time, it's up to the winner to choose the Aran sweater he or she thinks would best suit. Or perhaps, the winner would like to gift the prize to a loved one.
Feel free to browse the pages of Standún's online catalog to pick the sweater or cardigan of your choice. You may like a ladies' cardigan, or a man's sweater, or you may like to see a little one running around sporting an Irish look. The choice is yours.
Stop on over to check out all the possibilities. Best of luck to all our entrants.
The Giveaway
One lucky winner will win an Aran sweater or cardigan of their choosing.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Wednesday, September 6th, 2017.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you like Aran sweaters or cardigans, or if you prefer Arans in the traditional natural color or in some of the modern shades available.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won't be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday, September 6th 2017, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom's complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes' entries by clicking here.
A big thank you to the girls at Standún for sponsoring this prize, and wishing them every success as they continue their grandparents' legacy, inspired by the cratsmanship and designs of Ireland and Galway.
And thanks to all who join in the fun and support this giveaway celebrating all that the Aran sweater represents. Please feel free to share this post and let friends and family know they could be in with a chance to win a lovely Irish prize.
Winner Chosen
A winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plugin for Wordpress. The proud new owner of a beautiful traditional Irish Aran sweater will be .....
Lea Zwart
I'll send Lea an email to let her know the good news. Many thanks to all who entered this Irish American Mom giveaway and checked out all the lovely sweaters from Standún.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Disclosure: I do not have a business relationship with Standún.I love to publish posts about Irish and Irish American businesses. Many thanks to Standún for their generosity in sponsoring this prize, and for giving me permission to publish their lovely photographs.
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Linda
Have always wanted one
Kathleen Ecker
My birthday is September 2nd. Winning a beautiful jumper would be a lovely gift!
Taran P.
Aran sweaters and cardigans are timeless 😊
Janet Oliver
My husband and I visited Ireland five years ago. Best trip ever. We learned about the Aran sweaters and I bought one. My husband cannot wear them due to the itching but I love mine. Would love to win one for my daughter. She'd love the hoodie ☺️
Amy Mitchell
That zip-up hoodie sweater is gorgeous!
Stephanie Bentley
Love Aran sweaters!
Margaret Wasnak
It was so interesting to read the history here. I'm Irish-American. Married to a Chinese-American who plays the bagpipes. So we have our own little melting pot too.
Maggi laurel
Irish!
Sue R
Gorgeous!
Catherine Rapple
I have always loved Aran sweaters especially in the modern colors!
Lisa Gradel
Always been in love with the Aran sweater 💚☘️
Diana
Love these updated sweaters! I have two hand knitted ones from my aunt, who was a nun, and one that me mum got me on a trip back across the pond thirty years ago! I still wear them!
Kimberley Klibansky
I'm listening to Celtic Crush with Larry Kirwan and sipping my cuppa! I'd love to win a sweater! It would bring back warm memories of an Ireland vacation. 🍀
Shannon
They are all so beautiful it would be hard to choose!
Mary Klein
I visited Ireland with my parents when I was 12--almost 40 years ago! They bought me a lovely Aran sweater which I wore for years, but I eventually outgrew it and gave it away. I have wanted another, but couldn't justify the price. I would love to win one though!
Linda Antunes
I love everything Irish and the country. I'm always cold and this would be great. Thank you💚🍀💚l
Jeanne Jonard
Hi. I just found your blog a couple of months ago and I'm really enjoying it. 🙂
Jeanne
Nancy Cobb
I love the look of these beautiful sweaters. Fall is coming soon and I would love to win one. I espeacially like the long sweater and the hooded style. The white one is so classic looking, but I love the green color that the model is wearing. Thank you to Irish American Mom and the Spiddals for this oppourtunity to win one! Blessings to all.
Maury
I always loved these jumpers!
Bernadette Bentley
I was just in Galway and saw the perfect Aran sweater in Standun but didn't get it! It would be amazing if I were chosen and could get it now. Thank you!
Jaima
I have always desired an Aran sweater. They are so beautiful and symbolic
Pat Delaney
So sorry I didn't buy one when I was in Ireland. Beautiful.
Kathleen Dempsey
Nothing says "Ireland" more than an Aran sweater. On a recent trip to Ireland I visited Standun and fell in love with it. The quality of the goods they sell are outstanding. I didn't buy a jumper but have regretted it ever since. Would be wonderful to win one.
Tori
Thank you for your blog -- always fun to read and I learn something new too. Can't imagine anything better than being cozy warm in an Aran jumper!
Margaret M Urban
I am the proud owner of three Aran sweaters. One is 29 yrs old & looks wonderful. I lOVE the comfort & warmth of these fabulous sweaters .Had my DNA Done & it turns out I am 100% IRISH. I think no matter what ethic background you couldn't help but love these sweaters. I have given some to my closest relatives & grandchildren over the years.
Michael
I bought one of these nigh on twenty years ago when I was working in Ireland. Maybe it's time for a new one?
Deidre Moore
I would love to be able to give my little grandson a a keepsake Aran sweater! The little zip up hoodie in size 2-3 years would insure he gets to wear it for a few years. Any color would be lovely but the blue would look great with his blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And what a fine gift to pass down to future grand babies!
Thank you so much for such a generous raffle item!
Barbara Riley
I love your sweaters! I can feel my Irish roots just flourishing as I read your words and check out your wares.
Audrey Stewart
I love the Irish. My grandfather was from Ireland, last name Welsh. I take great pride in that. I love the sweaters. They are beautiful. Here's to a Black Velvet cocktail.
diana forsthoffer
beautiful handiwork
Kieran Nicholson
Each Connemara family had it's own pattern so if a fisherman drowned and washed up on shore he could be identified by his sweater and could be buried in the correct burial plot.
Linda Goodnight
Love, love, love these sweaters. This was the first time I'd heard them called Jumpers but definitely not the first time I'd heard of Aran. Somehow when I was in the Galway area, I missed out on this shop. I won't let that happen next time! Thank you.
Joe Medina
A timeless and beautiful classic!
Regina
Love the story and the tradition. Your blog is always interesting.
Maurice Kelly
Beautiful
Martina Spillane
Love the Aran geansai !My mam used to knit them for us. But since she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's she can no longer knit. She was able to knit watching the Telly! So talented ❤️
Donna Lynn Shields
My Paternal Grandfather was Irish. To win one and wear it , it would help me remember him and all of my departed family . It would also help keep my widow's soul warm.... Thanks!
Sharon Clark
What a wonderful giveaway. I haven't worn an Aran sweater since I wore mine out. I loved it. I always felt a bit closer to Gran that died before I was born. It was her sweater.
Lou Judson
I had one back in high school days, long ago grown out of and given away, still looking brand new. Would love TO have one to fit me now!
Anne D
I would love to win one of these sweaters! Thanks for sharing the background story too.
Lois casto
We were in ireland this past may,it would be a great treasure to have a sweater from there.
Jim Gorman
Lovely sweaters. Good luck to all but I hope I win;)
Zachary Gallion
I just think it would be nice to win this for my girlfriend.
Vicki Boland Peters
Wearing an Aran sweater will take me home again to Ireland.
John Ongena
The Aran jumper has always been in our family from when my Mom gave two jumpers to our small boys to now with myself wearing one even when it is too warm, but who cares tradition is tradition. Best of luck to whoever wins one, they'll always cherish the jumper and it will be handed down.
Mary Sullivan
Beautiful works of art. Would be more than happy to own one.
Linda Kosta
I love the traditional cream colored crewneck sweaters. I had one as a child but that was a very long time ago. I would love to obtain another.
Marjorie
Love the history of the Sweaters. These are the only wool that I can wear with my allergies. I always buy a new one or two every time I visit Ireland.
Kathleen Winters
My father-in-law is from Clare Island, related to Granuille. Love the sweaters!
Beth Riley
Love these beautiful sweaters!