The name Foley comes from the Gaelic “foghlaidh” which means ‘pirate’ or ‘marauder’. The name’s original stronghold was Co. Waterford in the south, and it has since spread to the nearby counties of Cork and Kerry. In parts of Ulster the name Mac Searraigh has sometimes been incorrectly translated as Foley. The name is ranked among the top sixty most popular in the country, with the majority of Foleys being concentrated in the province of Munster.

The hand knit Foley sweater has a small honeycomb central panel, flanked by cables, diamond stitches with a central cable, and tree of life on either side. The honeycomb stitch represents work, cables are symbolic of good luck, and the tree of life symbolises family unity. 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 Foley 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.