Mac Suibhne comes from the Gaelic word “suibhne” meaning ‘pleasant’, and Sweeney is the Anglicisation of this name. The original Suibhne from whom Sweeneys claim descent was a Scottish chief. The Sweeneys arrived in Ireland from Scotland as gallowglasses or mercenaries. They initially settled in Donegal, and subsequently spread to Co. Cork. Today the name is among the hundred most numerous names in Ireland and is most common in counties Cork, Kerry, Donegal and Mayo.

The hand knit Sweeney sweater incorporates the moss, diamond, honeycomb, cable, rope, and blackberry stitches. Moss stitch represents nature, diamonds represent wealth, honeycomb represents work, cable and rope represent good luck, and blackberry is symbolic of the Holy Trinity. This beautiful Aran sweater has been hand knitted in the traditional báinín (pronounced ‘baw neen’) colour, the natural white of the wool. It comes to you complete with a clan history and crest. It is made of 100% pure new wool, is water repellent and breathable. It has been hand crafted in the traditional Irish style, and, with care, will last a lifetime.

This knitting kit is comprised of the finest traditional Aran Wool, your Clan crest together with a sweater history and your Sweeney knitting pattern. We provide enough Aran wool to create your perfectly sized sweater plus a little extra. This Traditional Irish 100% wool is water repellent, breathable and a delight to work with. The pattern is an easy to follow design, tailored specifically to suit your exact size requirements.