The Banshees of Inisherin costume designer has collaborated with an Irish brand on a knitwear collection

The Banshees of Inisherin brought global attention to Irish knitwear thanks to costume designer Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh. 

From GQ declaring Colin Farrell’s attire in the film as “some of the best sweaters to ever grace the silver screen” to countless tweets from people lusting after the gorgeous knits, the world was alerted to the unique beauty of Irish knitwear. 

There is a red sweater that Colin Ferrell wears in Banshees of Inisherin that is maybe the best sweater I've seen on screen in my life.

— Dana Schwartz – on hiatus (@DanaSchwartzzz) October 22, 2022

And for everyone wondering how they can get their hands on one, the good news is that the film’s costume designer, Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, has collaborated with Galway’s The Tweed Project to recreate a collection of knitwear based on the film’s iconic collared sweater. 

Handknitted with Irish wool, the jumper, called “The Colin”, is based on a photograph Eimer found of a fisherman on the Aran Islands from the early twentieth century.

“It is so exciting to see this beautiful traditional knit have a life beyond film and photographic archives,” Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh says. “People’s reaction to the film and the knitwear have really reinforced the power and strength of Irish knitwear, and specifically a craft and rural tradition long associated with women.”

The unique collar, sleeves and back are all knit in a stocking stitch with the front also incorporating panels of moss stitch and cross and diamond motifs. Each one will be made by hand by a team of local knitters. 

Triona Lillis and Aoibheann Mac Namara of The Tweed Project say; “This beautiful, honest collaboration is a meeting of creative minds with a shared vision. We are delighted that Eimer recognises our ethos for small batch pieces and trusted us with her designs.” 

They point out that the survival of Irish traditional hand-knitting is central to this story, and the value in slow fashion, made by hand, that will last a lifetime. “We hope to inspire younger knitters to continue this legacy.”

The sweater, €790, will be available to order from June 17 at thetweedproject.com.