St Patrick’s Day, a celebration of all things Irish, is fast approaching and we’re picking out our favourite Aran sweaters to wear on the day. St Patrick’s Day is always celebrated on 17th March, and it began as a religious holiday but is now a cultural occasion that Irish people all over the world take part in. Whether your area has a St Patrick’s Day parade or you’re just heading to your local Irish pub with friends, we can help you to find out more about St Patrick’s day and find the ideal outfit to join in the festivities.

Aran sweaters are a quintessentially Irish style, originally made on the Aran Islands by the families of the farmers and fishermen in this remote area, to keep them warm and dry as they worked. In recent years, the Aran sweater has been adopted by fashion conscious wearers all over the world and has today become an iconic garment that combines traditional skills and craftsmanship with practical, stylish designs. Here, we’ll take a look at the Aran sweater designs that are perfect for St Patrick’s Day, and we’ll highlight our favourites for you.

 

The Importance of St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day has long been important in Ireland, with many cultural symbols of the occasion being recognised across the world. The day was a religious festival which was celebrated with feasts and religious services to honour St Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland. However, when it began to be celebrated by Irish immigrants to the United States, it evolved into a celebration of Irish culture and the first ever St Patrick’s Day parade took place in 1737. Today, all over the world, we find people with Irish heritage donning their green clothing and shamrock hats to drink Guinness with friends and family, so let’s find out why these elements are so important:

 

• The Shamrock. The shamrock was said to have been used by St Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity, with each leaf representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as well as faith, hope and love. The elusive fourth leaf is said to represent good luck. The shamrock has become an international symbol of Ireland and is often featured on hats, clothing and keepsakes in the Emerald Isle. Wearing a shamrock was a symbol of rebellion in times past, and it was against the law to do so. It was also illegal to wear green, which was the colour associated with the Society of the United Irishmen, a Republican revolutionary group active in the 18th century.

 

• The colour green. Green is the traditional colour associated with the festival of St Patrick’s Day, and it has even become a custom for people to pinch others who are not wearing green on the day, as this is said to bring bad luck. The colour green is important because it is the natural colour of the beautiful Irish landscapes and also in part because the green shamrock is such a popular symbol of Irishness. Prior to the 18th century, St Patrick had been associated with the colour blue but this changed to green with the introduction of the shamrock as a symbol of Irish identity and rebellion.Here at Aran we offer a range of quality Green products perfect for celebrating St Patricks.
  
  Green Sweaters for men
  
  Green Sweaters for women
  
  Green Cardigans & Coats for men
  
  Green Cardigans & Jackets for women
  
  Green Capes & Shawls for women
  
  Green Caps & Hats for men
  

 

• Leprechauns. Leprechauns, usually dressed from head to toe in green, have long been connected with Ireland due to the folklore that has been passed down through the generations for centuries. The tradition of wearing green on St Patrick’s Day may in part be due to the legend that the leprechauns would be unable to see anyone wearing green, as they themselves wore it. This also gives an insight into the tradition of pinching those not wearing green, as the leprechauns were known for pinching anyone they could see.

 

• Guinness. Did you know that Guinness is served 819% more often on St Patrick’s Day than on any other day of the year? (link) St Patrick’s is a very popular drinking day, especially in Ireland and the United States, and Guinness is often the drink of choice for those celebrating their Irish heritage.

 

• Colcannon. Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made of mashed potatoes, shredded cabbage or kale, spring onions, butter and milk, with bacon occasionally added for extra flavour. Colcannon is often served with sausages, baked ham or corned beef, and can even be served as a breakfast dish. It’s often served at Halloween and is a popular choice that features on many St Patrick’s Day menus.

 

• Irish music. Traditional Irish music, and particularly the harp, provide a crucial element of the entertainment for St Patrick’s Day. Ireland is renowned throughout the world for its traditional music, and sculptures featuring harps in Ireland have been dated back to the 8th century. No party is complete without music and a good old Irish knees up is the perfect way to celebrate this special day.

 

So, however you choose to celebrate on St Patrick’s Day, whether you’re in the United States or in Ireland itself, you’re bound to find at least one of these elements included in your festivities and we hope you have a fabulous time!

 

Aran Sweaters for St Patrick’s Day

The Aran sweater is a popular symbol of Irish identity and many people love to wear theirs in recognition of their heritage. Aran sweaters were first knitted by the communities of the Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway, to keep their family members warm and snug as they worked as fishermen and farmers on the harsh Atlantic coast. Wool is the ideal choice for hardwearing, durable clothing because it is naturally water resistant and a great insulator, and it helps to regulate the temperature, making it a pleasure to wear all year round.

The Aran sweater is intrinsically Irish and has become an emblem of Irishness across the globe. For those with Irish roots, the ClanAran range is based on the heritage of particular Clans, each with their own design. This range is an excellent choice for St Patrick’s Day, paying homage to your ancestors and showing your recognition of the rich history of Ireland. These unique sweaters are created by artisan producers, who work hard to preserve the traditional craftsmanship and skill of the craftspeople who first created them.

 

Aran Sweaters We Love

If you have an Aran sweater in your closet, you’ll already know what a pleasure they are to wear. However, if you don’t have one in green, you’re missing a St Patrick’s Day trick! We have a range of gorgeous sweaters in some striking shades of green and we have selected our favourites for you:

 

 

 1.     Aran Jacket with Celtic Knot Side Zip. T If you’re planning to spend any time outdoors on St Patrick’s Day, this Aran Jacket with Celtic Knot Side Zip is the perfect choice. Made with 100% soft Merino wool, it’s a warm and cosy choice that will help to regulate your body temperature. We love the detail of the delicate Celtic knot design on the zipper, which complements the side zip and warm shawl collar, and you can choose from Army Green or Grass Green to avoid getting pinched by the leprechauns!

 2.     Super Soft Aran Crew Neck Sweater. The Super Soft Aran Crew Neck Sweater is a traditional Aran sweater with classic cable knit stitching, and Meadow Green is the ideal shade for St Patrick’s Day. It’s a great choice paired with jeans and boots or worn with a collared shirt and tailored trousers for a more formal event, and you can be sure you’ll enjoy wearing it all year round. This is a style that works for everyone, and we have a men’s and women’s version so that you can choose the best option for yourself, whatever your St Patrick’s Day plans. 

 3.     Kid’s Merino Wool Shamrock Sweater. When even the smallest members of the family want to join in with the St Patrick’s day celebrations, this crew neck sweater with shamrock design is ideal for the occasion. The style is durable and warm enough to allow your little ones to move around freely, and the natural fibres can help to maintain body temperature, whatever the weather. The Kid’s Merino Wool Shamrock Sweater is subtle enough for wearing any day of the week, and the shamrock design makes it an excellent choice for St Patrick’s Day.

 4.     Women’s Aran Kangaroo Hoodie. If you’re looking for the perfect companion to a Shamrock hat, you’ll love the Women’s Aran Kangaroo Hoodie, which is available in a gorgeous Green Marl shade. The traditional cable knit and trellis stitching embellishes this contemporary sweater, which has a stylish hood and pocket so it can be worn for any occasion as a practical and versatile choice. This is a hoodie you’ll reach for again and again, and the ribbed hem and cuff finish adds an element of style and warmth that you’ll appreciate all year round.

 5.     Merino Roll Neck Sweater. The rugged Merino Roll Neck Sweater is a heritage-inspired style that was first worn by Irish fishermen to keep them warm and dry as they worked on the Atlantic Ocean off the Aran Islands. The distinctive rolled edge on the collar, hem and cuffs will keep out the cold and ensure you look fabulous, whether you wear this sweater with a collared shirt or with jeans and a t-shirt. It’s versatile enough for any occasion and it’s available in a gorgeous shade of green that will keep the leprechauns away so it’s perfect for your St Patrick’s Day festivities.

 6.     Lambswool Celtic Ruana Wrap. If you’re looking for something really special to turn heads on St Patrick’s Day, you’ll love the stunning Lambswool Celtic Ruana Wrap in Mountain Green or Green Checks. This versatile wrap is ideal for all seasons, great for layering up over your outfit or for making an impact as a key part of your ensemble. You can wear it as an open shawl, a chunky scarf, a wrap or even a skirt, and you can choose the colourways that complement your skin tone and preferences. It’s easy to wear and perfectly on trend, with no sizing to worry about and it’s made from a blend of superfine Lambswool and Nylon that will keep you warm, whatever the weather.

 

 

Styling your Aran sweater for St Patrick’s Day could be as simple as adding a Shamrock hat and heading out to your local parade, or it might involve carefully combining your shades of green to create a co-ordinated, authentically Irish look. Whatever you opt for, you can be sure you’ll look the part when you find your favourite Aran sweater in our range. We’ll be raising our Guinness to you and wishing you all the best for St Patrick’s Day!

 

Dress for St Patrick’s Day at Aran Sweater Market

Aran sweaters are popular because they provide the perfect combination of style, versatility and practicality. You can find a great outfit for St Patrick’s Day in our catalogue, with our wide range of gorgeous sweater designs that are available in a selection of greens to satisfy tradition, as well as several other stunning colour choices, including the classic bainin white. We are committed to preserving the traditional crafts and skills from days gone by, and our artisan producers work to improve sustainability wherever possible.

You can try our Aran sweaters for yourself if you are visiting Ireland, by simply popping into one of our stores located in Galway, the Aran Islands, Killarney or Dublin. If you have no plans to visit us in person, you can find everything you need on our website and we’ll be happy to help you with your selection. We also have a beautiful range of Aran sweaters, wraps, cardigans, jackets and hats in our range, as well as clothing and toys for children and babies, and homewares and gifts that will become family heirlooms.