Sportswear in Ireland: What Counts and What Works for You

Sportswear in Ireland isn’t just for pros playing at Croke Park or the Aviva. Walk into any gym in Dublin or take a stroll in Phoenix Park, and you’ll spot half the crowd kitted out in leggings, quarter-zips, or those classic GAA jerseys. So, what’s actually classed as sportswear here?

In Ireland, sportswear is any clothing made for exercise, team sports, gym sessions, or outdoor activities like hillwalking in Wicklow. We’re talking about jerseys, training tops, shorts, tracksuits, base layers, and the running shoes you see pounding the Liffey-side paths. But it’s not just function—comfort, quick-dry fabrics, and layers you can peel off when the rain stops (finally) all matter.

If you’re after something for five-a-side down in Cork or Sunday’s Parkrun, think breathable tees and shorts. Heading for a blustery morning on the Wild Atlantic Way? Invest in a windbreaker and some stretchy layers. Sportswear here mixes the practical with a good bit of style—you’ll notice folks often hit the coffee shop in their gym gear straight after a session.

• What Really Counts as Sportswear in Ireland?
• How Irish Weather Shapes Sports Fashion
• Spotting Sportswear in Everyday Irish Life
• Popular Irish Sportswear Brands & Stores
• Tips for Choosing Sportswear That Works Here

What Really Counts as Sportswear in Ireland?

When you hear "sportswear in Ireland," you should picture both the familiar GAA kit and the gear you put on for anything from spin class to a Sunday hike in Glendalough. The basics are pretty straightforward: if it’s designed for movement, sweat, and handling the Irish weather, it probably fits the bill.

Here’s what definitely makes the cut in the sportswear in Ireland scene:

• GAA jerseys and shorts — absolute icons, worn for matches and as casual wear almost everywhere
• Tracksuits — a staple in Irish schools, at training sessions, and even the local supermarket
• Technical t-shirts and singlets — lightweight, sweat-wicking, and common at any Irish race or gym
• Running leggings and shorts — you’ll see these on the path at Blackrock or jogging along the Shannon
• Base layers — long sleeves and thermal tops are key for winter, especially in a country not known for its sun
• Quarter-zip or full-zip training tops — perfect for layering as the Irish weather flips between rain and wind
• Sports bras and compression tops — essential for comfort and support whether you’re in a HIIT class in Galway or hiking the Mourne Mountains
• Performance socks — not just a gimmick, these actually help, especially when you're facing wet grass on a rugby pitch
• Rain jackets and windbreakers — pretty much a must-have, unless you like turning up soaked everywhere
• Sports shoes — everything from football boots for a muddy pitch in Limerick to runners with decent grip for those Slieve Bloom trails

There are a few classics you can’t avoid. The O’Neills GAA kit has been standard since the 1920s, and their tracksuits are nearly as common as jeans at this point. Did you know the Dublin Marathon draws around 25,000 runners most years? That’s a lot of technical shirts and leggings powering through city streets.

One last thing: wearing sportswear outside actual sport is common here. GAA gear in the pub, gym leggings in the office—nobody’s raising an eyebrow. If you want to fit in or just stay comfy, there’s a lot of crossover between something you’d wear for sport and just, well, Irish everyday life.

How Irish Weather Shapes Sports Fashion

If you’ve lived through more than a week in Ireland, you already know the weather can flip in a blink. There’s a reason most sportswear in Ireland is designed for change—think quick-dry, wind-resistant, and always, always with a bit of layering.

It isn’t a fashion rule so much as a survival tip. You could start a Saturday run in sunshine and finish it soaked in rain. That’s why you see so many runners and cyclists in Dún Laoghaire pulling lightweight jackets out the second the clouds turn. For pitch sports, you’ll spot rugby fans and GAA players swapping between rain jackets, base layers, and hoodies, even through summer months.

Irish weather isn’t just wet, it’s unpredictable. Here’s what most people look for when shopping for sportswear in Ireland:

• Breathable fabrics – Keeps you cool when it’s humid but not freezing when the wind blows. Polyester and blended technical fabrics work well.
• Layering options – Thin, light layers like tech-tees and quarter-zips are favourites. You can add or peel off as the weather shifts.
• Wind and rain protection – Lightweight rain jackets (not heavy coats) get worn over vests or jerseys. Make sure zips and seams are sealed.
• Fast-drying gear – Avoid heavy cotton. Stick to moisture-wicking kit if you plan to get caught in an Irish shower (and you probably will).

If you think everyone’s exaggerating about how unpredictable the weather can be, check out this real data from Met Éireann:

Notice how there’s no break from rain, even in summer? That’s why sportswear shops like Elverys, Lifestyle Sports, and O’Neills always offer waterproofs, thermal tops, and hats year-round. Pro tip: Keep a packable rain jacket in your sports bag. You’ll never regret it.

Spotting Sportswear in Everyday Irish Life

If you live in Ireland or you’re just here for a while, you’ll notice that sportswear in Ireland is everywhere, not just on football pitches or running tracks. It’s part of daily life for loads of people, no matter their age. Look around Grafton Street or your local Tesco—someone’s definitely wearing a tracksuit, and it’s perfectly normal.

For students, sportswear is a go-to for comfort on the way to lectures. UCD and Trinity campuses are full of people in O’Neills hoodies, county jerseys, and North Face jackets. Even in offices that allow casual dress, it’s not odd to see someone arrive in Adidas joggers before swapping to work clothes.

Weekend mornings bring a parade of activewear to coffee shops across Ireland. From the South Mall in Cork to Galway’s Latin Quarter, you’ll spot runners in technical tees grabbing a flat white after training. Dads in GAA shorts drop kids at hurling practice. Dog walkers in Clontarf wrap up in fleeces and waterproof windbreakers, all considered sportswear because they’re made for movement and braving typical Irish weather.

During big match days—think All-Ireland finals or Six Nations at Aviva—expect everyone to pull out their best jerseys, scarves, and even hats, showing the love for their teams. Schoolkids often wear rugby or soccer shorts for PE, but you’ll spot them at SuperValu in the same kit later. It’s not just practicality—wearing sportswear shows pride in your club, your county, or just your lifestyle.

Some Irish companies, especially startups, are okay with athleisure. Staff might come in sneakers and quarter-zips. And if you drop into a physio clinic in Limerick or a CrossFit box in Sligo, the uniform is basically stretchy gym gear, no questions asked.

Sportswear doubles up for plenty of social stuff here, too. Folks head out for a walk with friends in leggings and runners, then go straight for brunch—no need to change. The lines between gym wear, outdoor kit, and your everyday wardrobe are pretty blurred across the country.

Popular Irish Sportswear Brands & Stores

When it comes to sportswear in Ireland, locals love mixing international names with Irish brands and handy local shops. Sure, you’ll see familiar logos like Nike and Adidas around, but homegrown options have really taken off, especially if you’re after gear with a bit of an Irish twist or just want to support businesses on the island.

Here's a breakdown of some well-known Irish brands and where people go to kit themselves out:

• O’Neills: Absolute staple. For over a century, O’Neills has supplied GAA jerseys, shorts, and socks to nearly every club and county team. You’ll spot their logo at local matches in Kerry, Dublin, Galway—everywhere. Their tracksuits and training gear are big sellers too.
• Gym+Coffee: Big hit with anyone who likes activewear that looks good outside the gym as well. Famous for comfy hoodies and stretchy leggings, these are go-tos for coffee runs, gym sessions, or hikes in Glendalough. Their stuff is designed in Dublin and regularly seen in Irish cities and towns.
• Elverys Intersport: Not a brand but a huge Irish sports shop. Elverys has been in business since the 1840s. They stock big brands plus their own Elverys-branded clothes and gear. Handy for deals on basics, whether you're into running, football, or just need a new gym bag.
• Life Style Sports: This is Ireland’s biggest sports retailer. They have stores in most major towns and do a great trade online. People go here for everything—runners, rugby shirts, GAA kits, yoga wear, you name it.
• McKeever Sports: Based in Armagh, McKeever’s gear pops up in schools and GAA clubs all over the country, especially in the North. They make lots of custom kits and teamwear, plus basic training gear for clubs and schools.

Stuck for ideas on where to pick up new gear? Here are some useful tips:

• Check out your local sports shop—most towns in Ireland have one, and staff can usually help you get the right fit or suggest kit for local leagues.
• If you’re into a specific sport, like running or rugby, look for shops that specialise (Base2Race in Dublin for running, for example).
• Markets and pop-ups sometimes have one-off Irish brands you can’t find anywhere else, especially at events like the Great Limerick Run Expo.

To give you a quick snapshot of how Irish shoppers pick their sportswear—take a look at this:

Ireland’s a bit mad for supporting local businesses, so you'll see these shops and labels everywhere—from the pitch at your cousin’s club game in Meath to the queue for coffee on Patrick Street. If you want to fit in and pick up gear people actually use, you really can’t go wrong starting with these.

Tips for Choosing Sportswear That Works Here

Getting the right gear makes a big difference, especially considering how unpredictable Irish weather can be. Nobody wants to start a run in sun, then get caught in Galway drizzle wearing nothing but a cotton tee. That’s why you really need sportswear with quick-dry tech and proper layering options.

First step? Think about the activities you do most. For anyone jumping into a GAA training or a jog along the Liffey, look for breathable fabrics and clothes that wick away sweat. According to Sports Direct Ireland, “Performance fabrics reduce chafing, dry faster, and keep your temperature spot on, even when the weather flips.”

"Investing in moisture-wicking fabrics is a game changer in Ireland—cotton holds moisture and leaves you cold when the wind picks up." – Gearoid Keating, Senior Buyer, Elverys Sports

Don’t skip the fit either. Sportswear should let you move, whether you’re stretching at a yoga class in Salthill or cycling the Waterford Greenway. Loose enough so you’re not restricted, fitted enough to not snag on a goal post or treadmill. And always try stuff on—Irish sizes aren’t the same as what you might find on a US or European label.

• Look for sportswear in Ireland with reflective details if you’re out when it’s dark. There’s less daylight here, especially from November to February.
• If you’re outdoors a lot, check for rain resistance. Jackets with a hydrostatic head of at least 5,000mm actually keep you dry in Irish rain.
• For gym bunnies, seamless leggings and tops from Irish brands like Gym+Coffee or O’Neills are crowd favourites. They last and don’t go see-through mid-squat.
• Multisport? Pick layers: a base tee, fleece or half-zip, then a top layer you can strip off. Decathlon in Ballymun has great value for layering pieces.
• Price is key too. The average Irish household spent €223 on sports clothing and footwear in 2024, so don’t let marketing hype trick you into overspending. Good stuff is available from big stores but also local running shops or regional chains like Elverys and Lifestyle Sports.

Here’s a quick guide on what matters most for Irish sportswear:

If in doubt, chat with staff in your local shop. Most folks working in Irish sportswear stores play sports themselves and genuinely know what works. And if you want to blend in at a Dublin class or Galway sports club, keep an eye out for what everyone else is wearing. You’ll spot the trends fast.