The shawl is an Irish fashion statement of old, worn through the centuries, created out of necessity, and wrapped around shoulders with pride in the face of dire poverty.
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Photographs of Irish Women in Shawls
The shawl featured prominently in photographs of Irish women from the 19th century. After a little research into this subject I now view the shawl as a garment of great historical significance.
To celebrate the shawl as a symbol of Ireland, I'm also delighted to host a little giveaway for a beautiful green, cashmere pashmina. Thanks to The Pashmina Store for sponsoring this giveaway.
However, before entering our little giveaway to win this elegant prize, why not check out a little history of the Irish shawl.
History of the Shawl
Women today enjoy beautiful pashminas, and luxurious, glamorous shoulder drapes of multi-colored hues. But Irish women of old knew how to wear a shawl.
In days gone by a wool, plainly colored wrap provided practical defense against the elements, in a country infamous for gale force winds and lashing rain.
The word shawl is derived from Sanskrit and some of the first shawls were created in the Kashmir region of India. Historians believe India is the true home of the decorative shawl, where finely spun mantles were created.
But the Irish also embraced the shawl.
The Irish word for shawl is seál and is pronounced just like the English. However a more ancient Irish word for a shawl is "brat" (pronounced brah-th).
In Medieval Ireland a mantle or brat was used as an outer covering. It was a cross between a cloak and a shawl. Made of thick wool with fancy fringing these rectangular or semi-circular coverings protected the wearer from the Irish weather.
Believe it or not Irish brats or mantles became so popular in Europe that in the year 1482 the Pope's agent got permission to export them (found on the McGinley Clan website).
The Playboy of the Western World
Pegeen Mike, the love struck leading lady of Synge's Playboy of the Western World, sported her shawl across the world's stages in the early years of the 20th century.
She wrapped herself in its warm embrace, as she lamented the loss of her playboy.
I wonder if the actresses who played Pegeen Mike found comfort in their costume shawls, or perhaps they found courage in their shawls to face the world and the controversy surrounding the play when it was first staged.
Shawls On Old Irish Banknotes
In the 1920's our new Irish banknotes bore a hauntingly beautiful image of a shawl bedecked lassie.
Cathleen Ni Houlihan leaned on her harp beside a beautiful lake side scene. Draped beguilingly over her tresses, her shawl subtly framed her face.
Her much loved banknote image became widely accepted as the perfect interpretation of traditional Irish womanhood.
The irony of this whole shawl image, is the model for the portrait, Lady Lavery, was not Irish at all. In 1923, Sir John Lavery painted his wife Hazel, as this iconic image of Ireland, even though she was an American.
I wonder if we would have been as proud of our new banknotes, if they had boasted a shawl bedecked image of Pegeen Mike, keening for her lost love, in a torrent of pain and anger.
Perhaps Pegeen Mike would have been a more realistic image of Irish womanhood.
In 1976 a new image of a shawl wearing Irish woman appeared on our currency. This time Medb (Maeve), the legendary Queen of Connacht in Irish mythology took center stage, sporting a warm woolen shawl or brat.
The good Queen Maedb wore her shawl with pride, circulating around Ireland until 1990 when she was replaced by the one pound coin.
Perhaps her image is a better representation of Irish womanhood than the beautiful Lady Lavery. Medb undoubtedly represents a strong Irish woman. I wonder if she wore her shawl to face oncoming armies and lead her men to battle.
The Galway Shawl
"The Galway Shawl" is an old Irish folk song that tells the story of a rural Irish courtship. Songs like this one reassured Irish girls they were beautiful without adornment. The songwriter praises his Galway girl:
"She wore no jewels, nor costly diamonds,
No paint nor powder, no none at all,
But she wore a bonnet with ribbons on it,
And around her shoulders was the Galway shawl."
Alack and alas, like many Irish ballads, the song ends sadly. The poor girl's suitor leaves her high and dry, and heads off towards the beckoning hills of Donegal.
He may have forgotten her charms, but he'll always remember her Galway shawl.
The Ould Plaid Shawl
Another old Irish folk song about a shawl wearing Galway girl was written by a Kinvara man called Francis Fahy.
Once again only a simple shawl was necessary to transform this young girl into an angelic beauty.
"Not far from old Kinvara, in the merry month of May,
When birds were singing cheerily, there came across my way,
As if from out the sky above an angel chanced to fall,
A little Irish cailín in an ould plaid shawl."
If only girls today were happy enough with a simple shawl as a fashion statement, like the Galway girls of days gone by.
The Quiet Man
The most famous of all shawl donning Irish colleens must be Maureen O'Hara who wrapped herself up in her brown shawl in many scenes of The Quiet Man.
Mary Kate Danaher loved her shawls. She spied on her man Sean Thornton, while clasping her brown wool shawl.
Mary Kate's shawl is on display in The Quiet Man Cottage Museum, in Cong, County Mayo.
But not only Mary Kate wore a shawl proudly. Fringed or embroidered shawls appeared on many characters throughout the movie, perhaps serving as a tribute to this traditional Irish garment by the director, Ford.
Wrap Up (Pun Intended)
Irish women have worn shawls for centuries. In days gone by an Irish woman gathered her shawl about her to go about her way.
I can safely say that a long line of Irish women who have gone before me wore shawls. Years ago I remember seeing a photo of my great grandmother wrapped in a shawl. I don't have the photo to share on this post, but if I ever get a copy of it, I'll be sure to add it here.
And now it's time for our giveaway ......
The Prize
The Pashmina Store, one of the largest online suppliers of pure, grade A, handcrafted cashmere at value prices introduced its pinch-proof pashminas for St. Patrick’s Day parades.
They have kindly offered to sponsor the prize of a beautiful green pashmina wrap for one lucky reader of Irish American Mom.
The Pashmina Store is also celebrating the rich spirit and culture of the Irish, along with annual tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, with a 10% off coupon on purchases of $50 or more through March 17, 2015.
Everyone can be as lucky as the Irish and take advantage of this promotion by entering GREEN2015 at checkout.
“Whether it’s kelly, lime or emerald, our pure cashmere pashminas can add just the right pop of green on St. Patrick’s Day at work, at the parade or the pub,” said Blair Rhodes, co-owner of The Pashmina Store.
“With record-cold temperatures, bundling up is even more important this year than ever before. Wearing one of our luxuriously soft and pure cashmere and silk scarves, wraps and stoles is a sure way to look fashionable, stay warm and make others green with envy.”
The Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive a pure pashmina wrap in green.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17th, 2015. Any comment will do, but if you need inspiration why not tell us about what comes to mind when you think of traditional Irish dress or costumes.
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 or shared, just used to contact our lucky contestant.
Winners will be announced onTuesday March 17th, 2015.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstake entries by clicking here.
Thanks to everyone who supports and enters this little giveaway. Wishing you all a little bit of Irish luck this St. Patrick's Day.
Winner Announced
Congratulations to R. Mullen, who is our lucky winner, and was selected randomly using the "Pick Giveaway Winner" plug-in for Wordpress websites.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and enter this little giveaway, and a very happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone.
And a big thank you to The Pashmina Store for sponsoring this wonderful prize. Wishing them every success with their wonderful artwork.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Disclosure: Irish American Mom does not have a business relationship with The Pashmina Store. No cash payment was received for publishing this giveaway post. I wish to thank them for graciously sponsoring the prize for this St. Patrick's Day giveaway. Pashmina image published with permission of The Pashmina Store.
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Angela Bodine
I loved the story, I just read about the history of the SHAWL... I have 5 Pashima shawls/wraps.. And I love them.. I have 8 wool kilts and counting... I love The Quiet Man ..Its a beautiful movie I love her Shawl in it.. Thank you very much for the story...Angie
Irish American Mom
Angela - I love The Quiet Man too.
All the best,
Mairéad
Marybeth M.
I was blessed to be able to visit Ireland a few weeks ago with my daughter, who is an Irish Step Dancer. One of the places that we were able to visit was the National Irish Museum of Country Life in County Mayo. This museum had a number of beautiful depictions of traditional country life in Ireland (predominantly in the Western regions of the country), including many examples of the traditional shawl. The intricacies of the weavings were truly gorgeous (as were the examples of embroidery). It was wonderful to be able to view the different displays of clothing and other aspects of traditional life, and made me long for more simple times.
Thank you for your blog and for your glimmers into Irish life!
Irish American Mom
Dear Marybeth - I would love to visit that museum in County Mayo someday. I must add it to my "places to visit" list. I'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful time in Ireland. I hope the weather wasn't too bad.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Carol Brady
I love wrapping my shoulders when I'm a bit chilly! I also love your blog and decided to follow you on Facebook to make sure that I miss no posts.
Irish American Mom
Dear Carol - Thanks so much for following me on Facebook. I really appreciate it.
Mairéad
Anne Love
When I was five years old my Daddy brought me an Irish songbook and there was a picture in it of a girl wearing a pashmina ... I can " see it" to this day and I always have wanted one .., that was 70 years ago! How I would love to win this one!
Irish American Mom
What a lovely memory, Anne. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Mairéad
Claire Geohagan Neely
I have been a longtime fan of Pasgminas/shawls before I knew they were so fashionable! I don't own a green one, but would love to!
John Foley
It was a great story loved the photo's as well.
Jessica Monroe Ellison
What a lovely history of the shawl or brat as they are called. I would love to cozy into this green pashima!
Heather Moore Riser
i love this beautiful shawl and I love green
Betty McAndrews Berg
love this site....planning to pass this site on to my daughters...........
Irish American Mom
Thanks so much Betty, for spreading the word about Irish American Mom, and for supporting this little giveaway.
Take care and have a lovely St. Patrick's Day.
Mairéad
Rebecca Painter
This was really interesting! I never thought of shawls having such a rich history. 🙂 I would love to have a gorgeous green pashima to wear when I travel next Fall.
Ann L'Ecuyer Musselman
Dear Carol, I was searching for a St. Patrick’s Day photo for my Face book page and when I found one I liked it had your website posted beneath. What a wonderful Saturday morning adventure reading the history of “The Shawl”. I have “Liked” your FB page and look forward to following the Walk of The Irish!
In my Bowenwork sessions, I cover my clients with blankets and use shawls my Mom made to keep their shoulders and backs warm as I do the lower body work.
Thank you, Ann X
Irish American Mom
Dear Ann - Thanks so much for liking my Facebook page - I think someone named Carol must have share my link (so a big thank you to Carol too). I'm delighted you stopped by and thanks for your lovely input about the shawl. I love how you incorporate the shawl into your work today.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Leann Doritty
Beautiful story, thanks for sharing! I hope to be able to make it to Ireland someday, and go to County Donegal where my husband's family is from. But I fear we would never want to leave!
Irish American Mom
Leann - I hope you make it to Donegal someday. It's beautiful - my husband was born there so we visit often.
All the best,
Mairéad
Teresa Huntley
i loved this! I never knew any of it! I try to read anything and everything regarding Ireland and any customs, the food everything! This just adds more for me to discover and i cant thank you enough for the beautiful scarfs and beautiful words.
Irish American Mom
Teresa - Thanks for supporting this giveaway.
Mairéad
lisa
Love the stories! Thank you.
Robin
Happened across your website looking for St. Patrick's Day ideas. I've lately become very intrigued with my Irish heritage (100% on my mother's side). Many years ago I happened onto an Irish shop in Maine with gorgeous shawls and sweaters. I wanted a shawl so much but just could not afford it. I have thought about it ever since. Green is my favorite color and have been craving something soft and green. I will invoke all the superstitions of my Irish blood, keep my fingers crossed, and hope to win this beautiful shawl! Thanks so much for offering the contest. I'm delighted to find your terrific website.
Irish American Mom
Hi Robin - Welcome to my little corner of the world wide web. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my ramblings. I really appreciate your support of this little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Linda Schultz
A shawl is like a warm hug-wings reaching out and enclose your child, or your sweetheart. Or yourself wrapped in its gentle cocoon, safe from the winds in life that batter us all. A haven for those who came before us, and for those we now safely keep.
Irish American Mom
Beautifully said, Linda - your words are like poetry.
All the best,
Mairéad
Martha
I never knew shawls had such a history. Green is my favorite color.
Cindy A.
Thank you so much for offering such a lovely giveaway. I do not own an Irish shawl, but I do have an authentic fisherman sweater. The quality is unlike anything you could ever find in a department store or mall. It is by far one of the nicest pieces I own.
Melissa
The shawl reminds me of my ancestors...Ireland is calling me.
Karen
Great info!
Petra Coy
I love shawls, and I especially love the story about the Galway shawls. Happy St Patricks Day!
Karin Cleary
Love this story. My family has strong Irish roots, and we've traced our ancestry back to the 1600's and it has been published. We still talk with and visit our cousins in Ireland. Hoping I can win this. It would mean so much.
Maureen Harrington
Ahh, the shawl, like wrapping ourselves in the love of our ancestors. Great read. Thanks
Patti Allan
Thanks for the history lesson. Love the facebook posts!
Marianna Walsh
I truly enjoy all you have to offer on this blog. My husband and I are so proud of our Irish roots, and you provide so much for us to enjoy. Thank you for the recipes, history, and stories!
Francine Corbett-Voltz
Nothing more beautiful than the color of emeralds! Beautiful on a pashmina. And Maureen O'Hara and her brown shawl are a favorite memory.
Mags Kelly
My Dad is from Galway, which makes me love this shawl even more! Would
Lana
I love the Irish shawl. I was blessed to visit Ireland once and sincerely wish to visit again with my daughters one day!
Susan Kurek
Thank you for the lovely history of the shawl and for this contest! We grandmas love shawls because we can wrap our grandchildren up with us when they sit on our laps! I envision myself doing just that and singing a few Irish songs to my grandchildren!
John Jacob
Susan, are you the Harp player that performed on our album in 1978??
Irish American Mom
Hi John - It's quite a few years since Susan added this comment so she may not see your reply.
All the best,
Mairéad
Lisa Shaw
My husband's family came to America from Ireland in the 1800s and, though, we've never been, it's on our bucket list! If I win this shawl, I will certainly wear it when I go. 😉
Thank you for all the history and information you share.
Summer Black
I would love to be able to visit Ireland someday.
Margaret Rafferty
Thanks for this lovely story about the Irish shawl. It explains a story my mother always told me about my grandmother who died before I was born. My mother always said my grandmother never wore a bathrobe, but always wrapped herself in a blanket like a shawl. I realize now she did that as a carryover from Ireland. The older I get the more I realize so many things that my family did that I thought were just unique things my family did are just old Irish ways that are embedded in us and we don't even realize why we do them. Your lovely story brought back warm memories of my mother and my grandmother. Thank you and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Barbara Osborne
Love reading about the shawl very interesting,the pashmina shawl is beautiful,I have never had one it would be nice to win.I hope someday to go to Ireland it has been my dream for a long time I love reading all you put on FB,I have saved a
lot of the recipes.Thank you for sharing.
Gina Walding
Irish ancestry on my Mom's side and she certainly wears a shawl as you describe, with elegance and grace. I just bought her two on her birthday February 1st. Thanks for the interesting history. God bless you.
Donna Patton
I was so grateful to find your website yesterday while looking for a recipe. Such a wonderful site for someone like me who is so interested in learning so much more about my Irish heritage. My grandfather's parents immigrated to America from Doona-Balcroy, Ireland. (not sure if I am spelling that correctly). I come from a long line of Conway/Cambell. I had no idea that the shawl had such a rich irish history.
Cindy Honeycutt
loved the shawl history and would love to win. Dad's family tree traced to Ireland.
Robin McGlinchey
Thanks for the interesting info.
May the dreams you hold dearest
be those which come true
And the kindness you spread
keep returning to you.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Evelyn Byrne Robinson
great info ... what comes to mind is the bravery of our Irish immigrants
Karen Sullivan
I loved reading the history of the shawl. It will be a topic of discussion tonight while eating our shepherd's pie!
Deborah Galloway
Thank you for passing along a bit of history that most of us were probably not aware of. Though I may never get to Ireland, it would be lovely to have a bit of Ireland wrapped around me, and what better shade than the green of Eire, so that it's lush, vibrant color will remind me of the verdant colors of Ireland!
Debbie Burrus
Oh Maureen O'Hara loved to watch her in movies with "The Duke":) Such an Irish woman!
Kathleen from Facebook
Thanks for this giveaway.
Tami McCain
County Cork Irish Heritage - living in green summers and white winters, Iowa!
Kathi Balis
This is one gorgeous shawl and best of luck to whoever the winner is.And thank you for the chance of winning one.
Sarah LaPointe
Hi, just reading this post. My mother, born and raised in Galway. She came to Boston at 16 anf didn't return for another 18 years. She married a sailor, 4 kids by 22 and was our provider.
Today she is 78 years old, has had a hard life with the murder of my sister. She raised 3 generations of children forgoing her golden years of travel and livlihood.
Today she is suffering from dementia and three consequtive years of surgery for melanoma.
Recently she told me what songs she wanted played at her funeral. Of course, The Galway Shawl was first followed by several more. How fitting for her and the graceful and humble life she has lived.
We have all made trips back home with her and never had i seen her more relaxed. My niece is studying in Dublin this semester and brother and family leaving tomorrow to visit. He will be bringing her a Galway Shawl which will make her so happy.
Thank you for reading my story. I have great admiration for her strength, faith, love of God, and the many lessons she taught us through her actions. She is my hero and i shall love her all the days of my life.
Sarah LaPointe
Irish American Mom
Hi Sarah - Your mother sounds like such a wonderful woman. So sorry to learn she has been unwell, but it's lovely to know she is cared for by her loving family. I hope she find great comfort in her new Galway Shawl. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Connie Hund
I found your site while looking for images of original shawls and enjoyed your information . I have the dark gray and cream plaid shawl from my great-great-great grandmother. It is about 70"square, finely woven and has a fringe. It has been mended in a couple of places. She brought it with her when she came to America in the 1860's.
Irish American Mom
Oh Connie. What an amazing family heirloom to own. It's incredible to think it has survived, all the way from Ireland in 1860. I'm sure you treasure it.
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my post. I'm so glad you found my little corner of the world wide web.
Best wishes,
Mairéad