On July 1st 1995, Carol Meagle opened the Donegal Shop in the St. Stephens Green shopping centre.

Fast-forward 23 years and we’re still open for business in exactly the same spot, living proof that taking a chance, following a dream and a lot of hard work can pay off.

We’re thanking all our loyal customers this month with a 23% off discount code online, to celebrate with you a milestone that has made us so proud.

We’ve pulled together some of our favourite pieces from our website that are up for grabs with the discount code.

Just use 23YEARSINBIZ at the checkout, we hope you love them as much as we do.

The Mens Aran Sweater
€54.00 – 23% discount = €42.34

This timeless Aran sweater is available in a range of colours to suit everyone. Our most famous and the most timeless Aran knit, now is the perfect opportunity to add this cosy jumper to your wardrobe.

The Aran Funnel Neck Jacket
€129.99 -23% discount = €100.09

This funky jacket is a wonderfully modern take on a classic aran knit. Made from a super soft merino wool, this jacket features a double collar, front pockets, a celtic knot zip and celtic buttons. It’s also finished with trendy batwing sleeves, and side splits for a modern feel. If you’re thinking ahead to autumn/winter, this is a star buy.

The Clara Dress
€69.99 -23% discount = €53.89

The Clara dress is made right here in Dublin by the wonderful childrenswear brand, Kids In Tweed using genuine Dongeal tweed. Little shift dresses like this are just perfect for layering, making this piece transitional and sweet all at once.

Aran Dog Coat
€39.99 -23% discount = €30.79

Who says you need to leave your pooch out of the shopping spree? We stock beautiful, 100% merino wool dog coats to keep your little companions warm in the winter months.

The Orwell and Browne Bow Tie
€39.99 -23% discount = €23.10

Add a touch of Irish tradition to your big day with one of the beautiful bow ties from Orwell and Browne. They’re made from 100% Donegal tweed and made right here in Ireland. A total steal!

Aran knit jumpers have long been associated with windy, wintery days, where you’d reach for just about anything to keep you toasty and snug.

But now, they’ve become a major style symbol amongst the glitterati thanks to fashion powerhouses Michael Kors and Isabel Marant giving the jumper their seal of approval.

“When the temperature dips, everyone wants a knit that looks good and feels amazing. The Aran is a lasting  design of beautiful craftsmanship and texture; it’s universally flattering and is incredibly versatile, too; it works well with almost anything,” said designer Michael Kors, when asked about featuring the knits in his autumn winter collection.
Celebrities such as Alexa Chung, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica-Parker have all jumped on the bandwagon and are finding ways to style their chunky, cable knits.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favourites styling the wardrobe staple to help give us some inspiration.

1) Gwyneth Paltrow

Style savvy Gwyneth Paltrow shoots for a casual, pared back look here and scores. Teaming her knit with blue jeans and a pair of on trend aviator sunglasses she looks effortlessly cool.

2) Alex Chung

Fashion queen Alexa Chung takes her knit to nighttime by styling hers with a lemon leather skirt and a pair of chic pointed toe flats to match her little black clutch.

3) Ericka Fox

Style maven Ericka Fox from super-popular Irish blog, Retro Flame, wears her aran knit with a little bit of funk. Teamed with a black leather skirt, open toe boots and a wide-brimmed black hat, this look takes the aran knit into the 21st century.

4) Giselle Bundchen

Supermodel Giselle Bunchen wears her aran knit with a military style navy coat and a pair of nude coloured jeans for an elegant, dressy casual look. We just love the idea of layering aran knits with big, statement coats for an eye catching effect.

5) Grace Kelly

Style icon Grace Kelly had incorporated the classic aran knit into her wardrobe long before ANY modern day celeb or designer had given the jumper their blessing. The former Princess of Monaco styled her aran knit with a pair of white capri pants and a pair of classic cat eye sunglasses. So chic and wearable for those cooler summer days.

This 100% Merino Wool Honeycomb Hoody Zipper is definitely our staff pick of the month of April . Made in Ireland by Arancraft Knitwear it is made using really soft Merino Wool for extra comfort it’s a cosy casual fit , perfect for a weekend stroll when it’s just between weather not to cold for a coat but not quite t-shirt weather. We find for the Irish Climate Aran Sweaters can take you through every season here, perfect for Spring Summer an Aran Hoody such as this is perfect for chilly Summer evenings.

With the Honeycomb stitch throughout , a traditional Aran stitch said to represent the Hard working Bee, the Hoody and Zip add a contemporary style to what is a very traditional piece that looks great with a pair of denims.

Another piece for the ladies is the N101 Supersoft Merino Wool Poncho. While Merino Wool is soft , Super Soft Merino is as described extremely soft, a fluffy kind of softness if you will. 

Available in two sizes S/M and M/L, with three buttons at the neck to open for added comfort. We find in store that M/L is the most popular size for the added length for the wearer. A real classic the Aran Poncho does not date and can be comfortably worn over a sweater of coat. With the traditional Lattice Cable design on the front and back of the poncho.

Super Soft Merino Aran Snood

Made using the same Super Soft Merino Wool is this Snood. A Hybrid of a scarf and a Hood, it’s a very handy piece to have in your wardrobe. It can be double wrapped for extra warmth or let to hang loosely unwrapped. Unbutton the four buttons and youve a beautiful scarf or shrug for the shoulders. Again very suitable for the changeable Irish Weather. The Aran Trellis cable stitch runs through the centre of the snood. Any questions just email us orders@donegalshop.ie

We are often asked by customers in the store how to care for their Aran Sweater. As all of our sweaters are 100% Wool (some pure new wool which is Irish and some Merino Wool ) care needs to be taken with washing them. Our first response is always don’t wash them too often (if at all!) wool is delicate and still retains some of it’s natural oils which over washing can deplete, dry out and shrink the garment.

When you do wash your Aran Sweater we suggest you use warm tepid water and a generic hair shampoo (or wool lite also ) as it is not as harsh as your everyday domestic detergent on the wool.

Gently wash your Aran Sweater in a bath tub or basis using small amounts to shampoo and then use a generic hair conditioner to afterwards, treat your Aran like you would treat your own hair, feeding the natural oils to keep it soft.

Rinse with cool water and try not to ring too much but slowly squeeze the excess water from the Aran Sweater.

To dry place your sweater on a flat surface , a kitchen table with a towel over it is ideal to soak up the excess damp from your sweater.

Some Merino Wool Aran Sweaters such as the one pictured above made in Westport by Aran Woollen Mills may say you can wash in the machine on a wool cycle on 30 degrees, we would always prefer to hand wash ourselves and it all depends on the washing machine .

If you take care of your Aran Sweater you will have it for years to come. Always leave folded in closets only hang it if you want to stretch it. Any questions just email us orders@donegalshop.ie

It will be a few months until we are enjoying our Merino Wool throws on the beach . For now it’s a time to get warm and cosy during the winter months and nothing better than a Wool Throw to have on the back of the couch to stay warm under. Pictured above is our Aran Woollen Mills Merino Wool Blue Check a very popular at €99 and measuring 76x91cm you get quite a lot of wool for your money. Made in Westport County Mayo. Also it display the rich tapestry of the Aran Sweater throughout it’s design with continuous honeycomb and trellis stitches.

 

 

Another very popular throw in store for us and online is the Lambs Wool Throw made by John Hanly & Sons In County Tipperary soft to the touch and at 137 x 180cm a good generous size throw that could cover a double bed if needs be. This Green check has also proven to be very popular. Selling online at €119.00

Next up is the Wool Cashmere Throw consisting of 5% Cashmere for that Luxurious feel mixed with Extra Fine Merino Wool Throw made by John Hanly in County Tipperary who have been weaving since the nineteenth Century and are a third generation Family Business. Heavier and chunkier in weight that the Lambs Wool and measuring 136 x 180cm , a very popular Wedding gift in store for us.

So far all the throws we have shown have been woven, usually on a power loom and all made in Ireland. We also stock Hand loomed throws by the very talented Eddie Doherty pictured above. Eddie is an extremely talented weaver, we have been stocking his blankets since we opened in 1995. You can visit Eddie in his Studio Shop in Ardara County Donegal where we often visit and go for a great Seafood lunch next door in Nancy’s!

Eddie is a unique talent and some of his throws can take up to a week to make. Also his loom is a job in itself and he maintains and services it himself.

Shown here is Eddie Doherty’s Green Herring Bone Tweed Throw. Our biggest size throw coming in at 200 x 150 cm , this throw would easily cover a King’s Sized Bed or a large three Seater Sofa. Again a very popular Wedding gift for us in Store. Also it’s a real timepiece for the house and something can be passed down to the next generation. Something we get great pleasure out of selling in the shop, a true Donegal Product.

An Aran really does make the perfect Christmas present. Our ladies fitted Aran made here in Dublin by Ireland’s Eye pictured here with an Over Sized Aran Wrap, is a cosy warm and fitted classic garment that will never date. Made using 100% Merino Wool the Ladies fitted Aran has a delicate feminine Lattice collar and nice long sleeves.

It’s an ideal winter wardrobe staple that will not date and will get you through the coldest of winter days due to it’s shear warmth.

This Summer the iconic Aran Sweater made headlines when in New York it was featured in  Moma  (Museum of Modern Art)  New York taking it’s place on a world stage alongside more than a hundred items considered powerful and enduring examples of 20th century clothing such as the Biker Jacket and Breton Coat to name but a few. The exhibition runs until January 28th 2017.

A Style for men or women our regular fit Aran is a unisex garment that can be worn over sized for a more relaxed fit.

Our Arans are machine made and range in price from €55 to €90 depending on the weight and style of garment, also some are made using pure new wool and the majority are made using Merino Wool which is softer to the touch pictured above.

At the top of the Aran range comes the hand knit Aran Sweater, made the in the old school fashion where women would knit at home and send back to the company they were knitting for. Some can weigh over 1.2 kilos and take over 3 weeks to make made using pure new Irish Wool.

Here Shane is wearing a black sheep wool (completely natural colour) that was hand knitted in Donegal For Magee, stocked in our store and online at €299.99

If that’s a little over your budget. A Hand Loomed Aran Sweater By Rossan Knitwear is the next best thing. A hand loomed Aran involves a lot more work than a machine knit and not quite as much as a Hand Knit but they have the weight and similiar look to an Aran.

Whichever style you go for you’ll be sure to be be warm and toasty this winter.

 

 

 

So Simple yet so stylish Michelle StyleFile an Australian Blogger wears an Aran Sweater with cropped Jeans and leopard skin pumps. We love this look and it could easliy be adjusted to wear with Trainers for a more relaxed look.

An Aran Sweater is the accessory to any Winter Wardrobe, it’s warm durable and in the natural tones can really go with any colour of trousers or skirts.

All of our Aran Sweaters are made using 100% Merino Wool which is extremely soft to the touch and comfortable to wear as well as being all made in Ireland.

 

One of Our favourite suppliers Ireland’s Eye is based here in Dublin, a family run business and a pleasure to deal with , this Ireland’s Eye Cable Claddagh Sweater  is made using 10% Cashmere and 90% Extra Fine Merino Wool with a long Claddagh Cable designed sleave and full Cable design throughout the front and back with a high collar .

Also comes in a beautiful Blush Pink Colour.

This is our everyday Aran Sweater great value at €55 it’s 100% Pure New Irish Wool, really durable and comfortable. Love the styling here by our Guest Blogger Courtney Cathy Smith. Available in 7 different colours and ranging in sizes from small up to XX-Large and suitable for both men and women.

This is the Ireland’s Eye Ladies fitted Aran Sweater with latticed collar feature as well traditional Diamond Stitches to the front and on the sleaves. A very feminine fitted style that really flatters the wearer, all made here in Dublin using 100% Merino Wool, this is a great seller in the shop for us.

 

Any questions just email us orders@donegalshop.ie

In Ireland the weather can be very changeable to say the least. We know from talking to customers in our Dublin store when visiting Ireland they bring everything. Shorts, t-shirts, coats, rain macs , sweaters (usually picked up here when the weahter turns!) and umbrellas and Irish essential.

We are well use to this and you can’t always plan around the weather sometimes you just have to get out there and enjoy it.

Featured this week is our Aran Wool throw made in Westport by Aran Woollen Mills using Merion Wool with interlocking Aran Stitching throughout.  Perfect for wrapping up if you are sitting on the beach or for picnics.

We also stock a lovely colourful range of  McNutt’s of Donegal who are based in Downings in north County Donegal and use some really beautiful soft Lambswool and the perfect accompaniment to sitting out in the garden in the evenings to throw over your shoulders when things get chilly.

We also stock Eddie Doherty Tweed throws all Hand woven in Ardara County Donegal , incredibly each throw is hand woven and can take up to a week to be made, a much heavier throw, no matter what the evenings throw at you this will keep you warm, also great to use as a picnic blanket.

Lastly the Aran Shamrock Throw is very popular with visitors , perfect for long lazy afternoons on the beach , just be sure to have your rain mac close! Any questions just email us info@donegalshop.ie

It’s Father’s Day in Ireland this Sunday June 18th, so we’ve put together 5 of the top gifts we think would be a great gift for Dads.

1. An Orwell and Browne Tweed Bow Tie , Made by hand in Donegal using high quality tweeds, shown here in Cornflower Blue with an adjustable neck tie. €30
2. A Donegal Pen – who doesn’t need a pen! The Donegal Pens are hand turned and really a thing of beauty. Just €34.99

 

3. Cuff Link by Orwell and Browne made using Tweed – for a very dapper dad you can match his bow tie to his cuff links! Just €30

4. Mullingar Pewter Pocket Watch 

A Mullingar Pewter Pocket Watch is a timeless classic it looks great with one of our tweed waistcoats just €25.00

5. A traditional Tweed Tie By Orwell and Browne all made in Donegal and at €50 you’ll habe it for life, looks great with a pocket square.

Don’t forget to tell your dads you love them!!