Linen is essentially what was used to make the majority of clothing in Ireland many a year ago. The advent on cheaper cotton and man-made materials like polyester have now almost made linen extinct. It's now primarily used in the production of higher end goods and the few remnants of days gone.
Linen is basically cloth woven from the flax fibre, which was grown in Ireland for many years before advanced agricultural methods and more suitable climate came into play.
This little stall is located towards the back of the market and I had to take a look to see what was on offer. Now I will say I didn't purchase anything. It's not really my cup of tea (flax waistcoats and jumpers for example)
It does seem to hark back to scenes of the famine in Ireland or from pre-Irish civil war regalia. That said the quality does seem to be of the highest. Everything is very well sown and put together.
I can imagine tourists to the area would certainly lap this up, I think it's the kind of thing they have in their minds eye when you say 'Ireland'. Pictures of cottages scattering a barren landscape with women dressed like the Amish washing their clothes on a washing board. read more