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?
Table of Contents
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.
Here are some other recipes and ramblings you might enjoy..
What The Irish Eat For Saint Patrick's Day
kitty kelleher
I love any type of Aran sweater, in any color, they are all so beautiful.
kitty kelleher
kit4410@msn.com
Amanda Wood
I love to knit, and looking at a beautifully handmade Aran sweater really ignites the creative bug in me! I wish I was talented enough to make an Aran pattern on my own, but wearing them will have to be enough for me for now, haha 😀
Sandra Brower
I love the thought of having a real history behind something I decide to wear. I would be honored to win. These are really beautifully made and you can tell they are made with pride. Thank you for the giveaway.
Lisa Williams
These sweaters are so lovely and look so warm and cozy,I would love to get one of these for my daughter,she is crazy for sweaters and/or cardigans,we would be browsing for awhile because there are so many we want to choose!
Michelle G
These sweaters are beautiful! Would love to have one of the green ones.
heather kaufman
I have not had one of these sweaters before, but it is gorgeous.
Sharon Marbeth
The history of all things Irish/ from Ireland has always interested me! This beautiful piece of clothing would be an excellent piece helping to form my education and just plain 'ole comfy to wear! I love ALL of the sweaters advertised! Can't decide if I'd pick one for myself or for my honey! Although I could always steal it back... 😆😏 Good Luck to ALL! ❤️
Nora Tomlinson
I have coveted Aran sweaters since my twenties...really, I'm salivating over the idea of winning one, lol, but I wish the best of luck to everyone entering for this beautiful sweater.
Onyinye Elochukwu
These sweaters are very beautiful and they look so warm and comfy. Perfect for the cold weather coming soon.
Catherine Shaw
This is a thrilling giveaway! I've browsed the site and the variety of styles is impressive.
Maureen O'Hara
To own something from Ireland would truly be a dream come true. I am 100% Irish. Third generation American.
Michelle Carlino
These sweaters and cardigans are absolutely gorgeous..LOVE the Ladies Long Zip-up Aran Cardigan with Hood...
MaryAnne JK
I feel the cardigans in natural colors are the most comfy, cozy part of fall-- it's like when you unpack Christmas decorations except this is your favorite sweater in fall 🙂
Linda Walker
They are all so beautiful! I love them even more now that I know the history.
Jennifer Reed
Honestly, I had never heard of this type of sweater wear. I love the mauve WOMEN'S GILET / SILVER | CARRAIG DONN A145. It is so pretty but not too bulky which I like.
Jenny S
So I did the Ancestry DNA test about a year ago and discovered I'm 50% Irish which was so exciting to learn. This would be a very special treasure to have
Polly Hall
I have always wanted a sweater like this thank you for the chance to win one.
Deborah Colucci
WOW ... What GREAT sweaters. I have always admired Irish wool sweaters. They are sooooo beautiful.. Looks so comfortable. I would love to wear one.
Barrie
Beautiful sweaters! I wore cable knit sweaters in highschool in natural color but I love the choices of colors offered. These handmade sweaters look high quality and very warm!
kymom13 at gmail dot com
Nicole Lancaster
I love to have a Aran sweater. They look comfortable and warm as well as fashionable.
Andrea
I just love wearing sweaters in the cooler months. I would choose a traditional color if I won. Thanks for the fun giveaway!
ANGELA PRINGLE
I LOVE THE SWEATERS BECAUSE I A'M LEARNING TO KNIT AND I A'M TRYING TO MAKE ONE ,I LOVE THESES SWEATHERS AND SOME DAY MY SON WILL TO,THEY ARE ALL A GREAT LOOK !!!!!!
kathy Agate
Beautifully made and I like to be warm, warm, always!
Angelica Dimeo
These sweaters look perfect for winter time since it gets cold here
Adriana
thanks for the chance,cardigans are always great.
kelly tupick
These sweaters are beautiful. Would love to show one off and these look really warm too. Great for the winters here in NH.
Melanie Bourne
I love and appreciate a soft, warm sweater in the damp winters we have where I live. I would so love to have one of these beautiful sweaters, which would bring back memories of my trip to Ireland (and to the Aran Islands) a year ago. Would love cream or mauve, but the other colors are lovely, too.
Nadine McGlone
I live in Wisconsin, in the same county my Irish grandparents settled in (breaking ground and clearing wilderness to do so) along with a large number of their fellow neighbors from the Connaught area. Always being well aware of my roots, I've made the trip to Ireland several times. Absolutely loved the people, the crafts, animals and plants, the wild areas, and overall feel of the place which has never left me. Having a treasured hand knit would be wonderful!
Margaret O'Donoghue
I would love to win an Aran sweater for my daughter, Deirdre, who is so proud of her Irish heritage. She has just started college in the Windy City, on Chicago's lakefront, and there is nothing like an Aran sweater to keep out the cold and damp! It would be very meaningful to us as my mother is from the Erris region in Co. Mayo, and many of the women in her native village worked from home long ago knitting Aran sweaters or crocheting lace for export to America. The Irish who knit Aran sweaters, both long ago and today, are incredibly talented!
Sheila
I don't know which one is more gorgeous, the green high neck or the charcoal coat. I think I'd have to go with the green. Reminds me of a sweater my mom brought back from Ireland for my eighth birthday nearly 30 years ago. It was a beautiful mixture of green and blue. I loved that sweater!
Ann Docherty
All so gorgeous!
Josie R
The sweaters are so beautiful, makes me excited for Autumn and Winter.
James Stringham
These are very nice sweaters. I would love to win one because my wife makes fun of my sweaters. When there's an ugly sweater competition, she grabs all of mine and has the family wear them.
Missy Ferguson
I love Aran sweaters, have 2 that I purchased in Ireland. They're gorgeous!
Anne
Thanks for your interesting post. My dear mother's trip to Ireland was the highlight of her life, and it was nice to think she might have visited this store. She wanted to bring me back an Aran sweater, but I wouldn't let her spend her hard-earned money on one--better for her to enjoy herself on her trip of a lifetime. Thanks for the memories of my mom. And thanks for the chance to win one of these gorgeous sweaters, too!
Danielle Magee
It is my dream to go to Ireland. Since I won't be going to Ireland anytime soon, I'd love to have a sweater to make me feel close to Ireland.
Cathleen King
Sweaters are good for fall cool weather.
Sarah McMurray
The green zip up one is my favorite!
Darlene Carbajal
The sweaters are so pretty. I never owned one. Thanks for the chance!
kimberly zais
thank you for the opportunity they are beautiful and look so comfortable !!!!
Debbie Chartoff
I enjoyed learning about the popularity of the sweater, as well as the history. Thanks for the giveaway offer!
Lyz S
I love sweaters! The story behind the Aran sweater is so interesting too.
Karen E. Neary
I fell in love with the Aran sweater the first time I visited Ireland!
Deirdre OBrien
I am from Ireland and even though I live in Southern California, there are some winters where I do wear my Aran sweater. Aran sweaters are a work of art! My mom did a lot of knitting when we were growing up and she created her own patterns. I came across your website by accident and I really enjoy reading all of your postings. My sister's name is Mairead! Thanks again and I would love to have another Aran Sweater. I will check out the catalog!
Sourdoe
Sláinte mhaith!
Shawn Young
The sweater is one of the nicest I've seen. I would love to win one!
Thank you for the chance to win one.
Justine
I love these sweaters. They remind me of simpler times!
Tom Corcoran
I will love a green sweater for my mother, Eileen!!!!
Christina Graham
I love this sweater it is so beautiful! If I had to choose one I would choose the Long Flared Button Coat, the Hooded Cape or the Cardigan with Pockets and Hood.
darby
This is beautiful and looks warm!