Kerry Woollen Mills is one of the last surviving traditional woolen mills still manufacturing in the beautiful Kerry countryside. Established over 300 years ago to alleviate local poverty the mill drew on the adjacent River Gweestin for the power to drive its machinery and the water to wash and dye its wool. The mill was bought over by the Eadie family in 1904 who had previously been in the woolen manufacturing business for many years in Fermangh and Scotland and continues under the fourth generation of family ownership to this day.

We have always found the Eadie family a pleasure to deal with, weaving is int heir blood and they show a love and passion for what they do in the high quality of their products.

This week we wanted to showcase the Ruana cape now available online http://www.thedonegalshop.com it’s a beautiful and versatile garment woven with soft lambswool and a little acrylic it’s a very elegant celtic timeless piece.

Measuring 54 x 72 inches it’s a long cape that can be worn draping over the shoulder, a celtic brooch like our Tara Brooch is an excellent accessory to wear along side it.

“The day of the festival of Patrick”. It’s a national holiday in Ireland. Traditionally a religious celebration it now emcompasses tradition and culture and is celebrated around the world. The 17th March marks the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick who is commonly recognized as the Patron Saint of Ireland c. AD 385-461.

It’s an official feast day in the Christian calendar , where mass is celebrated in honour of St. Patrick, those observing Lent are generally given a reprive from whatever they have given up for the 6 weeks of Lent, as children this meant enormous amounts of chocolate was consumed!

In Ireland there are St. Patrick’s Day parades all over the country and here in Dublin the city comes to a stand still for a few hours where 1000’s line the streets to watch a parade filled with floats, colour and dancers, it’s really a site to behold.

St. Patricks Day has become a major celebration around the world and particularly in the U.S.A where Irish Americans joined in parades and celebrations of their shared heritage.

We get a great kick here in Ireland when we see the world has joined in with the celebrations and light up some of their most famous landmarks in green for the day.

Of course we think the best thing you can wear on St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish made Aran from The Donegal Shop!

Our online shop is open 24/7 and our Dublin Store will be open from 12-6.

Wishing everyone a very Happy St. PAtricks day enjoy the festivities.