From fisherman’s knit to front row fashion: the Aran cardigan returns as the quintessential men’s layer in 2025: and here’s Members’ current favourite, the Kerry Aran button cardigan by West End Knitwear

‘The village of Monasterevin in the county of Kildare, Ireland is the home of West End Knitwear Ltd. The company was originally established by Molly Cullen in 1957, after creating beautiful Aran designs with her mother and grandmother for many years. Molly’s dream was to incorporate a family knitting business whose heritage stretched back for over 100 years. Molly is the granddaughter of Kate O’Shea, who, in 1856, was the first craftswoman in Ireland to commercially market her robust, hand knitted woollens. Molly Cullen recognised a market for fashionable Aran style knitwear and established West End Knitwear Ltd in her home village of Monasterevin.

‘Proud to keep the tradition alive, West End Knitwear Ltd was continued by Molly’s sons Paul and John Cullen who saw the opportunity to incorporate the best traditional aspects of their mother’s Aran sweaters into modern and fashionable styles. These new styles we would come to recognise as the benchmark for modern Aran cable knit sweaters.Today it is the biggest knitwear manufacturer in Ireland, with a vibrant workforce under Molly’s grandsons Niall and Barry Cullen. As the designers and producers of the finest quality Irish Aran Knitwear, our extensive range uses the traditional Irish Aran Stitches throughout our garments which are believed to bring luck, success and health to the wearer, ensuring we keep our long-treasured history of traditional Irish craft.

‘West End Knitwear is conscious of its roots in the past; however, the company has its eyes firmly focused on the future. From its situation in the west end of Europe it takes pride in being the first company to manufacture garments which were originally designed for those engaged in a rugged, outdoor life. Some of these garments have been adapted for modern worldwide markets and are worn by men and women with pride and pleasure.

‘Both our Aran Crafts and Nua collections are manufactured to the highest standards using the finest quality materials: merino wool, pure new wool, linen/cotton, cashmere and introducing new super-soft merino wool.’

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