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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Gael
Lovely story, lovely sweaters!
Michael J Bounds
I had one many years ago but with my many moves it has somehow "disappeared". I would love to have another one.
Maureen Mitru
Would love an authenic Aran jumper!
Jane
I've always admired Aran sweaters. Very interesting article.
Robert Marshall
A perfect gift for thanksgiving or christmas.
Colleen Walsh
The beautiful Aran sweater would keep me warm on my visit to Illinois to see my grandsons. Thank you.
John Ongena
A lined jumper in blue would be awesome.
Becca Caitlin
I am in love with these cozy sweaters!
Patrice Proulx
I love Aran sweaters and own one long walking coat in traditional oatmeal. Would love a green ar blue cardigan.
Sara Sills
Love these!!
Sabrina Wilson
I have never owned one of these beautiful Aran Sweaters. I would love to though!
nicole henke
Oh my......love everyone of their sweaters. My daughter put her hand up for the hooded zip up. But I'm loving the great cardi......Hmmmm mom might keep this prize if I win, n the kid can get hers for Christmas lol. Thx for the great giveaway!!
Nancy Coyne
Thank you and God Bless you Ireland for all that you have given to us!
Sinita Wilson
Wonderful giveaway!
The Aran "sweater" has long been on my wish list
of things I would purchase once I visit Ireland!
Love the traditional designs and color, but some of the modern is lovely too.
Thanks for the chance!
Marg
My husband bought me an Aran sweater back in 1981 and it's still beautiful!
Marion
Great article! Having an Irish heritage, while I was expecting our first baby in '94, my husband and I visited Ireland and purchased a sweet little traditional Aran sweater that all three of our children wore! It is a precious memory and we still have the sweater! We have never had the opportunity to get back to Ireland. Would certainly enjoy an Aran sweater! Really enjoy reading your blog.
Mandy
I love the traditional colors!!
Kimberly
These sweaters are absolutely gorgeous. I never knew Aran sweaters came in different colors. I've only ever seen the cream color.
Suzanne Kaperzinski
i bought a beautiful green Aran poncho on a trip to Ireland about 5 years ago. I would love to get another sweater or perhaps a Christmas gift for my husband!
Than you.
Suzanne
Judith
I'm so glad I discovered this blog. I didn't have the chance to buy this sweater in Ireland so would love the chance to finally own one. Thanks for the great stories.
Annette Bernard
I love your blog and enjoyed learning about the "jumper". When we were in Ireland a while back, I dearly wanted one, but couldn't find one for me.
Suzanne
I love all things Irish, especially the sweaters! Finally got to visit Ireland for my 25th anniversary but kept waiting to buy a sweater as I wanted to see all my choices. By the time I decided, the shops had closed and I did not get one. Maybe now is my chance :). Good luck to all!
Mary Ann
When visiting Ireland in 2013, the trip of a lifetime, I admired the Aran jumpers! I have always regretted not purchasing one. I know I could have bought one online but, well you know. I love the green zipped one shown. It would bring out the hazel in my Irish eyes. Thanks so much for your wonderful blog.
Cat McCormick
I can remember my first trip to Ireland in 1969, we stayed 3 months. My aunt showed me how to shear a sheep, spin it's wool and knit the Aran sweater with each different cable stitch have a different meaning. My sweater was buried with Mam recently so she was with her sister.
Therese Ladell
Aran Isle sweaters (jumpers)! the most beautiful in the world!
Phoebe Cristina Lara
I would be thrilled to win one of those lovely Aran jumpers or cardigans. When I left Ireland for the US I wasn't able to take much with me, and the cost of these sweaters here is way out of my budget. So it would be just wonderful to get one of them from home. I love the natural cream colour but the other colours are pretty also. Grma for the opportunity to enter this drawing.
Slán agus beannact leat
Jane Flatley
I love Irish sweaters. The weather in Massachusetts can change from lovely to mighty chilly, necessitating something snug. These lovely sweaters are just the thing and I would love to win one!
Pam Bergmann
Love the Aran sweaters! Just the thing to keep warm in while sitting by a peat fire!
SueAnn VanBuskirk
I have always loved Irish sweaters and just found out my great great grandma was born in Ireland... and I am very happy. Thx and Natural always
Mary
Would love one of the lovely sweaters/jumpers! Love love love Ireland
Laurie Ann Neeley
I love this!
Bat Masterson
/Sure hate to see all the nice preceding people disappointed when I WIN.....
Lorraine jones
Gorgeous pieces. I'd love to be able to show off my Aran sweater in New Zealand
Danna Walters
I love the sweater in it's natural/original color. Thank you for this giveaway!
John Devaney
I remember my Mom knitting me a Aran Sweater when I was a little kid, wish I had it now to remind me of her.
Deb Harris
My mother is Irish, born in County Kerry. I grew up listening to the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem & always picture them in those beautiful Aran jumpers. I'd love to win one.
Deborah Egizii
I have always wanted one of these lovely sweaters!
Penny Wolf
What a wonderful give away. Thank you and good luck to all who enter!
Angie
I've loved reading your blogs for years. I'm looking forward to spending time and money on http://www.standun.com ! Their shop looks amazing!!
Much love!
Kate
I love the cardigans! And I love the traditional color, but I admit the green always catches my eye.
ROSIE
MANY OF US HAVE IRISH HERITAGE, THE RED HAIR GREEN EYES AND ALL. THE SWEATERS ARE OF
COURSE BEAUTIFUL! THE CRAFTMANSHIP IS QUALITY ANYONE CAN SEE. ANYTHING TO ME THAT
IS FROM IRELAND IS A BLESSING...IRELAND GOES BEYOND BEAUTIFUL! FOR THOSE WHO LIVE THERE YOU ARE BLESSED...THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SEE MORE BEAUTY IN THESE SWEATERS!
Darla
The sweaters are beautiful. Having one of these would be an honor.
Lury Budde
Beautiful story and beautiful Aran sweater. I always get excited we I see you have a new post thanks for all the great stories you share.
Mary Lou Repetti
Nothing keeps you warmer than a lovely irish wool jumper!
lea zwart
I love the look of Aran sweaters. I would really love to have their purple ladies merino wool Aran shawl with pockets! The winters get pretty cold here in Michigan.
Dineen Muniz
Love the sweaters! Leaving for Ireland on September 5th. Birthplace of my Grandparents. I cannot wait to get to experience Ireland firsthand!
Bernadette
Wonderful giveaway. Would love the zip up hoodie style.
Sara McLain
Good wool Aran products are the things that just can't be found easily in the States. A BestGift to bring back from Ireland.
Christy N.
Lovely sweaters! I've always admired these gorgeous sweaters. My mother knit my 1 year old son a sweater & hat for when we visit friends in Ireland {our first time there} this Christmas. Thank you for the opportunity!
Carol Brady
Everything at Standún is lovely! The Traditional Aran Handknit Zipper Unisex by Carraig Donn in navy especially caught my eye.