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Thursday, April 01, 2010

If you can't find the time for knitting during the week join us for the most relaxing knitting class in Ard Bia from 10am to 12pm every Saturday.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Ard Bia restaurant will be the venue for the very popular Saturday Knitting Class from 10am to 12pm. Classes will begin again on Feb. 27th and run for 6 weeks.

History

O'Máille's was founded by Pádraic O'Máille in 1938. Pádraic and his brothers Stiofáin and Séan, and their sister Mary, worked together in the business which is still run by Niamh's parents Ger and Anne O'Máille. Pádraic was the first person in Ireland to buy and sell traditional hand-knitted goods. The story is told that a number of women, who usually sold hand knitted socks and Aran Sweaters at the Galway City market on a Saturday, failed to find buyers for their goods. Pádraic advised them to sell directly to him in the future.

The family were fluent Irish speakers and had a close bond with Connemara and the Aran Islands, tailoring the traditional trousers, vests and coats worn by the menfolk with hand woven tweed from Donegal. One of the highlights of the family’s career occurred in 1951 when many of the costumes for the film ‘The Quiet Man’ were tailored by Mary O'Máille. Members of the cast, notably John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara visited the shop personally. Wayne’s visit created a major sensation in Galway City and the film star was mobbed by sightseers. This experience brought the family international acclaim, and to this day people travel specially to the store to see where the costumes were made.

The business has changed in many ways over the last 70 years, and yet, it still holds on to much of the timeless charm which has made this family business so unique. The family prides itself on selling the best quality Aran Knitwear in Ireland. O'Maille's is famous around the world for its Aran Knitwear and Galway School of Knitting is the next step for this family business.