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In Ireland, where rain doesn’t so much fall as it does hang in the air, the jacket isn’t just clothing-it’s a survival tool. Walk down Grafton Street in Dublin on a Tuesday morning, or along the Cliffs of Moher in January, and you’ll see them: the waterproof macs, the woolen Donegal tweed coats, the windproof Gore-Tex shells. But have you ever stopped to wonder why we even call it a jacket? It’s not just a random word. Its roots run deeper than you think, and in Ireland, where the climate shaped how people lived, the jacket became more than fabric-it became identity.
The word ‘jacket’ didn’t come from fashion magazines
The word ‘jacket’ didn’t appear in a London tailor’s shop in 1920. It came from ‘jacket,’ a diminutive of ‘jack,’ which was a common name for a man in medieval England. Think of it like ‘Billy’ or ‘Tom’-but for clothing. By the 1500s, ‘jack’ meant a short, sturdy coat worn by soldiers and laborers. Over time, ‘jacket’ became the softer, smaller version of that heavy outer layer. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t for show. It was for work, for riding, for weathering the elements.
In Ireland, this mattered. Unlike the grand estates of southern England, Irish farmers didn’t have heated halls. They lived in stone cottages with thatched roofs that leaked when the west wind howled off the Atlantic. A ‘jack’ kept them dry enough to mend fences, herd sheep on the Burren, or walk five miles to the nearest pub in Galway. By the 1800s, Irish laborers wore short, lined jackets made of thick wool or oilskin-materials that didn’t soak up rain like cotton. These weren’t bought in Dublin’s Brown Thomas. They were made at home, or by local cobblers in Limerick or Cork.
How Irish weather turned the jacket into a cultural icon
Ask any Irish person what they dread most, and they’ll say: ‘the damp.’ Not the cold-that’s manageable with a jumper. Not the wind-that’s just part of life. It’s the constant wet. Rain that comes from every direction. Fog that rolls in off the Shannon. Mist that clings to your collar for hours after a walk in Killarney National Park.
That’s why the Irish jacket evolved differently. In Scotland, they had kilts and tartan plaids. In Wales, they had Welsh wool blankets. In Ireland? They had the oilskin coat. Made from canvas soaked in linseed oil, these coats were waterproof, heavy, and smelt faintly of fish and tar. Fishermen from Doolin, Connemara, and Howth wore them daily. They’d hang them by the fire to dry, and the smell would linger for days. It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept you alive.
Even today, you’ll find these coats in use. The Donegal Tweed jacket, woven in the northwest, isn’t just a fashion statement-it’s a climate adaptation. The thick, uneven weave traps air. The natural lanolin in the wool repels water. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing. And in places like Sligo or Letterkenny, people still buy them from family-run weavers who’ve been doing it since the 1930s.
From working gear to national symbol
The jacket didn’t become fashionable because designers said so. It became iconic because Irish people needed it. When the Irish Free State was formed in 1922, the jacket was already a symbol of resilience. You didn’t see politicians in silk suits at county fairs-you saw them in tweed, with boots caked in mud from the Kerry hills.
By the 1980s, brands like Claddagh Coat Company (founded in Galway) and McKeever’s (based in Belfast, but popular across the island) started making tailored jackets that mixed function with Irish design. Think of the Connemara pattern-a subtle green-and-grey weave that mimics the boglands. Or the Aran stitch on a wool-lined collar, copied from the fishing sweaters of the Aran Islands. These weren’t just aesthetics. They were practical: the tight stitches held warmth, the high collars blocked wind.
Today, if you walk into a shop in Ennis or Derry, you’ll find jackets with labels that say ‘Made in Ireland’-not because it’s trendy, but because it works. The rain doesn’t care if you’re wearing a designer label. It just wants to soak you. A well-made Irish jacket? It laughs at that.
Why ‘jacket’ stuck-and why it still matters
Other languages have words for outerwear: ‘manteau’ in French, ‘mantel’ in Dutch. But in Ireland, we kept ‘jacket.’ Why? Because it was the word used by the people who lived with the weather every day. It wasn’t a word from a royal court. It was a word from a farmer in Mayo, a fisherman in Kinsale, a schoolkid in Waterford trudging through puddles on the way to St. Mary’s.
And here’s the thing: even now, with waterproof smart fabrics and climate-controlled homes, we still call it a jacket. Because it’s not just a piece of clothing. It’s a reminder. A reminder that in Ireland, comfort doesn’t come from luxury-it comes from preparation. From layers. From knowing that the next storm is always coming, and you’d better be ready.
Next time you pull on your favorite jacket-whether it’s a vintage Barbour from a secondhand shop in Limerick or a new one from a local maker in Wexford-remember: you’re not just wearing fabric. You’re wearing centuries of adaptation. You’re wearing the Irish answer to rain.
What makes an Irish jacket different?
Not all jackets are built the same. In Ireland, a good jacket has three non-negotiable traits:
- Water resistance that lasts-not just a DWR coating that washes off after three rains. Real Irish jackets use oilskin, waxed cotton, or tightly woven wool.
- Windproof construction-no flimsy zippers or thin linings. Look for storm flaps, reinforced shoulders, and adjustable hoods.
- Made for movement-you’re not just standing still. You’re climbing a hill in the Wicklow Mountains, carrying groceries from the market in Galway, or rushing for the bus in Cork. A jacket needs to bend, not bind.
Brands like McKeever’s, Claddagh Coat Company, and Irish Tweed Works still make jackets to these standards. You won’t find them in big-box stores. You’ll find them in local shops, at craft fairs in Kilkenny, or on the website of a family-run mill in Donegal.
How to choose a jacket for Irish weather
Not every ‘waterproof’ jacket works here. Here’s what to look for:
- Check the material: Waxed cotton, oilskin, or wool blends beat nylon and polyester every time in Ireland.
- Look for a hood that stays put: A stiffened brim or adjustable drawstring keeps rain off your face when the wind hits.
- Test the length: A jacket that ends at the hip is fine for dry days. For real Irish conditions, go longer-down to mid-thigh.
- Buy local if you can: Irish-made jackets are built for Irish weather. They’ve been tested on the Atlantic coast, not in a lab in Shanghai.
- Don’t ignore the lining: A wool or fleece lining adds warmth without bulk. Cotton linings? They trap moisture. Avoid them.
And remember: if your jacket smells like linseed oil and sea air? That’s not a flaw. That’s a badge of honor.
Why do Irish people still wear old-fashioned jackets?
Because the weather hasn’t changed. Modern fabrics might look sleek, but they often fail in Ireland’s constant damp. Traditional materials like waxed cotton and Donegal tweed have been tested for centuries. They breathe, they repel water, and they last. Many Irish people still wear them because they work-no matter what the fashion blogs say.
Is a ‘jacket’ the same as a ‘coat’ in Ireland?
In everyday speech, yes-but there’s a difference. A ‘jacket’ is usually shorter, lighter, and worn for daily use-like walking to work in Galway or heading to the pub. A ‘coat’ is heavier, longer, and meant for extreme weather, like winter in the mountains. You’ll hear people say ‘I need a coat for the trip to Sligo,’ but ‘I’ll grab my jacket for the walk to the shop.’
Are Irish-made jackets worth the price?
Absolutely. A good Irish jacket costs €200-€400, but it lasts 15-20 years. Compare that to a €80 synthetic jacket that tears after two winters. Irish-made jackets are stitched by hand, use natural fibers, and are built to handle wind, rain, and salt spray. You’re not paying for a brand-you’re paying for reliability.
What’s the most common jacket in Ireland today?
The waxed cotton jacket-think Barbour or Irish-made equivalents like McKeever’s. It’s the go-to for farmers, cyclists, and city dwellers alike. The classic green or beige finish, with a corduroy collar and brass buttons, is practically a uniform. You’ll see them on the streets of Dublin, the piers of Doolin, and the trails of the Ring of Kerry.
Can I buy a true Irish jacket online?
Yes, but be careful. Many ‘Irish-style’ jackets are made overseas and just branded as Irish. Look for companies that list their workshops in Donegal, Galway, or Kerry. Check for ‘Made in Ireland’ on the label, and look for reviews from Irish customers. Brands like Irish Tweed Works and Claddagh Coat Company ship worldwide-but they’re based here, and they build for our weather.
