☘ Free Shipping to the USA & Canada on orders over $75  ยท  Real people in Dublin โ€” Chat on WhatsApp
🇺🇸 US & Canada customers: All tariffs & duties are included in your order price โ€” no surprise charges at the door. | Shipping details → Returns policy →
Handcrafted in Ireland Since 1850

Authentic
Aran Sweaters
Made in Ireland

Every Aran sweater tells a story โ€” of the islands, the wool, the hands that made it. Discover our collection of genuine Irish Aran sweaters, crafted in Ireland and shipped to your door in the USA & Canada.

Made in Ireland Free US & Canada Shipping 5★ Rated Freephone Support
Authentic Aran Sweaters โ€” Made in Ireland. Couple wearing cream Aran sweaters in an Irish mountain landscape.
Watch & Learn

Everything You Need to Know About
Aran Sweaters Aran Sweaters

Honest answers to real questions โ€” straight from us in Ireland.

4 Things to Know Before Buying an Aran Sweater
4 Things to Know Before Buying
Aran Sweater Origin โ€” Made in Ireland
The Aran Sweater Origin Story
The Cable Stitch โ€” Aran Sweater Stitches
The Cable Stitch Meaning
Ship an Aran Sweater With Us โ€” Gifts of Ireland
How We Ship to the USA
Authentic Aran sweater โ€” made in Ireland, worn on the Irish coast
The Story

What Makes a True Aran Sweater?

"Every stitch carries a meaning. Every sweater carries a story older than any of us."

The Aran sweater was born on the rugged Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland โ€” where the Atlantic wind bites hard and wool was more than warmth, it was survival. Fishermen wore these dense, tightly knit sweaters for protection at sea, each family stitching their own pattern into the wool.

Today, every authentic Aran sweater sold through Gifts of Ireland is still made in Ireland โ€” from pure Irish wool or fine merino โ€” by craftspeople who carry those same traditions forward. When you wear one, you wear centuries of Irish heritage.

Read the full history of the Aran sweater
Watch: The origin of the Aran sweater
▶ Watch: The Origin Story
Craft & Heritage

The Meaning Behind
the Stitches

Each pattern woven into an Aran sweater carries a meaning passed down through generations of Irish knitters.

Cable Stitch
Safety at Sea

The cable stitch represents the ropes used by Aran Island fishermen. It was knitted into sweaters as a symbol of safety and good luck out on the Atlantic waters.

🍯
Honeycomb
Hard Work & Reward

Inspired by the work of bees, the honeycomb stitch symbolises the rewards that come from hard work and a life well lived. A favourite among farmers.

💎
Diamond
Wealth & Success

The diamond pattern reflects the small fields of the Aran Islands, divided by ancient stone walls. It carries wishes of wealth, success and good fortune.

🌿
Moss Stitch
The Cliffs of Ireland

Named after the moss and lichen clinging to the limestone cliffs of Aran, this stitch connects the wearer to the wild landscape of the west of Ireland.

Aran Sweater Care

How to Look After Your Aran Sweater

A well-cared-for Aran sweater will last decades. Here's everything you need to know.

🌊
Hand wash in cool water
Use a gentle wool wash or baby shampoo. Never hot water โ€” it shrinks the fibres.
🏠
Lay flat to dry
Never hang your Aran sweater โ€” the weight of wet wool will stretch it out of shape.
📦
Fold, never hang to store
Store folded in a drawer or shelf. Add a cedar block to keep moths away naturally.
🫒
Pilling is normal
Light pilling on a new Aran sweater is normal โ€” it's the short fibres settling. A fabric shaver fixes it in minutes.
Read our full care guide

Watch our care videos โ€” quick answers to the questions we get asked most.

How to care for your Aran sweater
How to Care for Your Aran Sweater
Why does my Aran sweater smell like sheep?
Why Does My Aran Sweater Smell Like Sheep?
Trusted by Thousands

What Our Customers Say

★★★★★
4.9 ยท 200+ reviews
★★★★★
Trusted by thousands
★★★★★
Verified reviews
★★★★★

"Absolutely beautiful quality. Ordered for my husband as a Christmas gift โ€” it arrived beautifully packaged in just 5 days. He hasn't taken it off since."

S
Sarah M.
Chicago, Illinois ยท Verified Buyer
★★★★★

"Third Aran sweater I've ordered from Gifts of Ireland and every one has been perfect. The cable knit is so beautiful in person โ€” photos don't do it justice."

T
Tom K.
Boston, Massachusetts ยท Verified Buyer
★★★★★

"My grandmother emigrated from Clare in the 1950s. Buying her an Aran sweater from Gifts of Ireland felt like bringing a piece of home to her. She cried. Thank you."

M
Mary O'B.
Toronto, Canada ยท Verified Buyer
The Gifts of Ireland Clan

You're Not Just Buying a Sweater.
You're Joining Something.

Every person who wears a Gifts of Ireland Aran sweater becomes part of something bigger โ€” a global community of people who carry a little piece of Ireland with them wherever they go. From Chicago to Calgary, from Sydney to San Francisco, our clan spans the world.

And it's not just about gifts for others. Many of our best customers buy Aran sweaters for themselves โ€” because once you wear one, you understand. The warmth, the weight, the craft. It becomes your sweater. The one you reach for every time.

"Is mise Aodhรกn โ€” I founded Gifts of Ireland because I want to bring the best of Ireland to you. Ireland is my home. Every sweater we send carries a little of that with it." โ€” Aidan

Follow the story of Ireland

Each week Aidan shares stories of Ireland โ€” folklore, heritage, knitwear, craic. Join 107,000+ who follow along.

🎥
Want to see the sweaters in person?
Book a free 15-min video call with Aidan or Lucie โ€” live from Dublin.
Book Now
Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know

Honest answers to the questions we get asked most โ€” some with video answers too.

An Aran sweater is a style of knitwear that originated on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. They are characterised by their distinctive cable, honeycomb and diamond patterns, traditionally knitted in undyed natural wool. Today, authentic Aran sweaters are still made in Ireland in both pure wool and softer merino blends.
🎬 Video answer coming soon
It depends on the wool. Traditional pure wool Aran sweaters can feel scratchy against sensitive skin, especially at first. Our merino Aran sweaters are much softer and rarely cause irritation โ€” they're a great choice if you have sensitive skin. Watch our short video below for the honest answer.
Watch: Are Aran sweaters itchy? (our honest answer)
Aran sweaters are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. The natural lanolin in Irish wool repels light rain and drizzle very effectively โ€” which is why they were worn by fishermen on the Atlantic. They'll handle a typical Irish shower with ease, but we wouldn't recommend them in heavy rain.
Watch: Are Aran sweaters waterproof?
That's lanolin โ€” the natural oil found in wool that gives it its water-resistant properties. A slight wool scent when new is completely normal and a sign of genuine, natural fibre. It fades quickly after a first gentle hand wash. Watch our video for the full explanation.
Watch: Why does my Aran sweater smell like sheep?
Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool detergent. Rinse carefully, gently squeeze out water (never wring), and lay flat on a towel to dry โ€” never hang, as wet wool stretches under its own weight. Store folded, not hung. For pilling, a fabric shaver works perfectly.
Watch: How to care for your Aran sweater
Yes โ€” we ship to the USA and Canada every day. Free shipping on orders over $75 to the USA. Orders typically arrive within 5โ€“8 business days. All orders are carefully packaged and tracked. Full shipping details → Watch how we pack and ship your order below.
Watch: How we ship your Aran sweater to the USA
Aran sweaters are traditionally worn with a relaxed, slightly oversized fit. We recommend sizing up if you're between sizes, or if you want to layer underneath. Each product page has a detailed size guide โ€” or contact us on WhatsApp or freephone and we'll help you choose the right size.
🎬 Size guide video coming soon
No surprises. All US tariffs and import duties are fully included in the price you see at checkout. The total you pay is the total you pay โ€” nothing extra at your door. We handle everything from our end so you can order with complete confidence. See our full shipping policy →
We want you to be completely happy. If your Aran sweater isn't right for any reason, we make returns straightforward. Read our full returns policy here → โ€” or message us on WhatsApp or call our freephone line and we'll sort it out personally.
Yes โ€” every Aran sweater we sell is made in Ireland. We work directly with Irish knitwear makers including Aran Woollen Mills and Erin Knitwear, who have been crafting authentic Irish knitwear for generations. We never sell mass-produced imports.
Aidan โ€” Gifts of Ireland Aidan
Lucie โ€” Gifts of Ireland Lucie
Family Business ยท Dublin, Ireland

Talk to Real People in Ireland

We're Aidan and Lucie โ€” the owners of Gifts of Ireland, a family business based in Dublin, shipping directly from Ireland to your door. When you call, Aidan answers. When you message, one of us replies. No robots. No call centres. No scripts. Just two people who genuinely love Ireland and love helping you find the perfect piece of it. Whether you need help choosing a size, picking the right gift, or just want to know more about what you're buying โ€” we're here.

📞
Freephone USA
Call us toll-free from the USA. Aidan answers โ€” real advice, no scripts. Monโ€“Fri, 4amโ€“1pm Eastern.
1800 576 6694
🍁
Freephone Canada & USA
Same number works for both USA and Canada โ€” toll-free. A real person in Dublin picks up every time.
1800 576 6694
💬
WhatsApp
Message Aidan or Lucie directly on WhatsApp. We reply fast โ€” even at weekends.
Chat on WhatsApp
New ✨
🎥
Book a Video Call
See the sweaters live on screen. Aidan or Lucie will show you the quality, help with sizing, and answer anything โ€” live from Dublin. Free, 15 minutes.
Book a Free Call
☘ Family owned & operated 🇮🇪 Based in Dublin, Ireland 📦 Ships directly from Ireland 👤 No robots โ€” ever 🇺🇸 Freephone USA & Canada 🌍 Trusted by thousands worldwide