Boosts in merchandise from the success of the likes of blockbuster movies Stars Wars and Harry Potter have always been predictable, but nobody could have foreseen that Irish bainin sweaters would be the product of desire this winter as a result of a Hollywood endorsement.
But desirable they have become, because of the success of the Martin McDonagh film The Banshees of Inisherin which is seeing Irish fashion experiencing an Oscars moment right now.
The film, starring Irish actors Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell is already receiving rave reviews from critics worldwide and is putting Ireland and Irish traditional fashion back on the map in the same way as hit show Peaky Blinders did when it was first released.
Irish fashion company “The Sweater Shop”, which has a presence in Galway, as well as an online shop, have reported a sales spike in classic Irish clothing such as Aran knit sweaters, since the release of the movie and the publicity surrounding it.
Speaking of the increase in sales, Laura Byrne, one of the family members behind the business told the Galway Advertiser that The Sweater Shop is delighted with the attention The Banshees of Inisherin has brought to quality Irish clothing and fabrics.
“We’ve noted a 50% increase in sales of Aran jumpers and our merino wool jumpers both online and in our shops over the past two weeks or so, compared to this time last year.
“Our website shows that people are searching for classic items like Grandfather shirts, capes in greens and reds, and chunky knit Aran sweaters with data showing a huge spike in this since the hype around this film first started.
“We are sending a lot of online orders to America where the movie came out last week too. It’s wonderful to see a newfound appreciation of Irish designs and fabrics that are being recognised because of this movie.”
The Sweater Shop has also noted an increase in footfall in their shops for this time of year.
“Usually October can be a quiet time in retail but this year has been great in our bricks and mortar shops, as the American tourism market seems to have gone on longer this year.
“People are making up for the lost time of not being able to travel over the last few years and now they are coming to Ireland and seeing what great quality clothing and fabrics we have here, and they want to take a piece of that home with them.
“That as well at The Banshees of Inisherin could both be contributed to a mini sales boom which is fantastic. We are expecting to sell a lot of these gorgeous Irish-made designs for Christmas this year for loved ones abroad.”
Although The Banshees of Inisherin is set in the early 20th century (in the 1930s ), there are some items that will never date and have become staples of a traditional Irish wardrobe that still look fashionable to this day.
“Safe and solid bets such as chunky Aran jumpers, cosy flat caps and stylish Grandfather shirts, which have evolved to be more comfortable and better fitted, have been given a more modern update, yet the fundamental designs of these items remain the same.
The Sweater Shop is a family run business which was established in 1986 by Dom Byrne. It is truly a family affair with Dom’s son Paul, daughter Laura and daughter in laws Kate and Eileen Louise running the business today.
Specialising in Irish Aran knitwear at affordable prices, the Sweater Shop has five locations across Ireland with two shops on Nassau Street, two in Galway and one in Kilkenny city as well as a busy online store.
