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Donation by Ever McKinney, Fall 2003 Study Abroad
Inis Meain, Aran Islands, Ireland
Hat made by Noirin ni Chonghaile (Pictured)
“…I purchased this hat from the owner of our hostel on Inis Meain. Before the start of the fall semester, University College Cork sent our group to Western Ireland to tour parts of Galway and see Inis Meain (which was briefly home to John Millington Synge). I have lovely memories of hiking and exploring this cold and windy island with Rachel Fletcher (2005) and Lacey Dunham. I also learned that knitting is a major part of the economy and artistic heritage of Inis Meain and the Aran Islands. I kept the card that came with this hat; it was made by Noirin ni Chonghaile. I also have a photo of me wearing this hat while waiting for a bus in Kilkenny… Rachel Fletcher and I spent many an hour waiting for Irish buses.” (McKinney)
Ever McKinney purchased this hat during her visit to Inis Meain, a small island known for its rich cultural heritage and artistic Irish traditions. As part of a study abroad program through Hollins University, partnering with University College Cork, Ever participated in an Irish Literature Program during her stay, with a significant focus on Irish native playwright John Millington Synge. Thus, Ever explored the island's wildly enchanting landscapes and vibrant Gaelic community, which inspired some of Ireland's most renowned literary works.
The community of Inis Meain explained to Ever that the island is famed for its unique knitting traditions, which are deeply intertwined with the local fishing culture. Historically, men ventured to the sea for food and trade, while women stayed home and crafted warm clothing, such as hats and sweaters, for their fishermen. Therefore, in the 1970s, the potential of Inis Meain as a knitting export was recognized, as the island needed an industry to sustain the economy of the women who were not working the sea. Thus, Inis Meain became renowned for its artistic hand-crafted knitting, as it was unique, practical, and profitable. Interestingly, the knitting patterns often echo the island’s iconic Iron-Age stone walls and forts, embodying a rich connection to its landscape and heritage. Crafted by local artist Noirin ni Chonghaile and purchased by Ever McKinney, this hat is a beautiful representation of Ever's unique experiences during her stay in Ireland. It reflects the legacy and local traditions of Inis Meain, a rare Gaelic culture offering an immense amount of history and artistry.
--Madison Beaman '26
Ever McKinney sitting on a bus bench in a knitted hat, Inis Meain, Aran Islands, Ireland, 2003.
Iron Age stone walls are the inspiration for local knitting patterns. Taken by Ever McKinney
Inis Meain, Aran Islands, Ireland, 2003.
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