Why Is It Called Sportswear? The Irish Guide to Modern Sports Clothing

Sports shops in Ireland move faster than the River Shannon after a big rainfall, and there’s no mistaking the popularity of jerseys on O’Connell Street or leggings in Dundrum Town Centre. But where did this all come from? The term “sportswear” pops up everywhere—websites, train station ads, Croke Park crowds. Still, have you ever actually stopped and thought: why is it called sportswear?

The Origins of Sportswear: Gaelic Games to Global Names

Sportswear isn’t just a buzzword cooked up by marketing teams; it comes from a real and surprisingly Irish-rooted history. Back in the late nineteenth century, sports clothing was pretty straightforward: rugby shirts in Limerick, thick wool jumpers for hurlers in Kilkenny, and rough shorts at Gaelic football matches. You bought kit for the sport you played—simple as that. In rural Mayo or on a windswept Donegal pitch, clothing had to handle mud, rain, and the awkward sprint after a sliotar on slippery grass.

As team sports like GAA, rugby, and soccer grew in Ireland, local clubs put more thought into what their members wore. The famous green-and-gold of Kerry’s GAA kit or the bold blue of Dublin weren’t just for show—they had to identify teammates in the melee, but also respect club traditions dating back generations.

Across the globe, “sportswear” first popped up as a term in the early twentieth century, especially in the United States and the UK. The focus there was on functional, more casual clothing that could be worn beyond just the pitch—think tracksuits, polo shirts, and tennis whites. Fashion designers like Coco Chanel offered the first sports-inspired ladies’ daywear, but in Ireland, the shift came slower. We were too busy keeping warm under knitted jumpers or discussing where to get the best quality togs for the weekend match.

Today, sportswear in Ireland covers everything from technical compression tops at Elverys to GAA jerseys from O’Neills, and even gym gear you spot all over Irish Instagram feeds. It’s become as much about looking good as feeling good, whether in the middle of a Parkrun in Phoenix Park or browsing the rails at JD Sports in Blanchardstown.

Sportswear in Modern Ireland: What Counts As Sportswear?

Walking around St Stephen’s Green or the promenade in Salthill, you’ll spot as many people in sportswear as in regular jeans, whether they’re training or just popping to SuperValu. But not every tracksuit or pair of leggings counts as “sportswear” in the true sense of the word. So what makes the cut here in Ireland?

Here’s the thing: proper sportswear combines form and function. For example, running shorts with sweat-wicking tech (the type that DryFit from Nike or Adidas has) or O’Neills jerseys engineered to handle the Irish weather—these aren’t just fashion statements; they’re designed for activity, movement, and sometimes rough activities (looking at you, camogie players). That’s why the best Irish sportswear brands always think about rainproofing and breathability. If you’ve jogged along the Grand Canal on a damp morning, you’ll know why.

The fashion world has gotten involved too, and that’s where athleisure comes in—a massive trend in Ireland over the last ten years. Athleisure is the sort of sports clothing that’s perfect for the gym, but also styled for brunch in Kinsale or quick supermarket runs in Limerick. Leggings from gymshark.ie, hoodies from Gym+Coffee (an Irish success story), and trainers that look sharp with both tracksuits and dresses—this is the new era.

So, when you’re choosing sportswear in Ireland, consider the following tips:

• Weather matters: Look for water-resistant fabrics, especially if you’re running in Galway. Irish rain stops for no one.
• Support local: O’Neills, Gym+Coffee and even the emerging Kildare-based Urban Aran offer Irish-designed gear that holds up nicely and looks good in photos on the Cliffs of Moher.
• Check the fit and stretch: Whether it’s leggings for Sunday yoga at YogaHub or shorts for playing five-a-side, get sportswear that moves with you.
• Beware of ‘fast fashion’: Sportswear from big global chains may be tempting, but local brands often use hardy materials built for Irish adventure.
• Think hard about shoes: The wrong runners can wreck your knees, so always get fitted at a reputable Irish shop (like The Run Hub in Dublin) if you’re serious about your steps.

Sportswear is now as normal in the Irish wardrobe as a good raincoat or a Guinness tee—blending sport, style, and comfort to fit our way of life.

Big Irish Sportswear Brands (And Where To Find Them)

No article on Irish sportswear is complete without a close look at the brands shaping how we move—and look—across the island. The big guns aren’t just international names like Nike and Adidas (though you’ll find them in literally every Irish sports store); we’re also talking homegrown legends.

The biggest Irish name is O’Neills. You’d be pressed to find a GAA club from Kerry to Derry without an O’Neills kit, and their factory in Walkinstown still pumps out thousands of jerseys, shorts, and tracksuits each month. Their distinctive ‘Koolite’ fabric is designed for hard matches and unpredictable weather, making it a go-to for serious sportspeople and armchair fans alike.

Another local star is Gym+Coffee. Founded in Dublin in 2017, this brand has exploded over the last decade, mixing athleisure and community vibes. Their pop-up cafés and stores in Dundrum and Limerick are as much about meeting mates post-workout as buying leggings or fleeces. They nail the Irish style—sportswear for the gym, yes, but also for strolls in Phoenix Park or a lazy coffee in Sligo.

Then there’s McKeever Sports, an Armagh-based company supplying schools and clubs with sports kits, or smaller outfits like Urban Aran, who blend Irish patterns and materials for stylish outerwear that can stand the Atlantic wind on Howth Head. Between them, these brands shout Ireland’s fondness for clothing that can take you from a kickabout in the local GAA pitch to a session in the CrossFit box—and keep you warm through three different types of rain.

Even Irish runners get a look-in. In 2024, Saucony launched a limited “Green Isle” range just for the Irish market, nodding to how much we walk, hike, and run. Pair these with socks from Irish Socksciety—cheeky Galway-based designers who keep your feet dry for the 10,000 steps you’ll inevitably take while sightseeing in Dublin.

If you’re looking to actually shop, here’s where Irish people head for proper sportswear:

• Elverys: A staple on every high street, with a long history of supporting local sports.
• Life Style Sports: With flagship stores from Cork to Belfast, they stock everything from county colours to athleisure wear.
• Independent shops: Try The Sports Room in Wicklow or The Run Hub in Dublin for specialist knowledge.
• Online Irish brands: O’Neills, Gym+Coffee, and McKeever all have slick sites delivering nationwide.

Now, how big actually is this market in Ireland? Have a look at this:

It’s wild. Sportswear—once the sole territory of muddy pitches—now dominates Irish wardrobes and high streets alike.

Sportswear in Irish Life: Tradition Meets 2025 Trends

Put bluntly, sportswear has woven itself into Irish tradition at all levels—from grassroots matches in Clare to city gyms in Dublin. You’ll spot vintage O’Neills jerseys repurposed as festival fashion at Electric Picnic. At the same time, matching loungewear sets flood your social media because working from home normalised wearing tracksuits and stylish leggings all day, every day.

Why? Irish life revolves around activity and community. Schoolchildren don GAA kits every summer for Cul Camps. Grown-ups join Parkrun on Saturday mornings, proudly showing off colours from local clubs across Leitrim, Tipperary, or Wexford. Team identity matters so much that fake or “knock-off” jerseys have sparked whole debates on Liveline.

And then there’s comfort—real comfort. Ask anyone who’s ever waited for the 46A bus in February if they regret choosing fleecy joggers over rigid denim. Irish fashion is practical, functional, and based on getting from A to B through occasional downpours and chilly evenings. Sportswear wins—every time.

In 2025, new trends are shaping the scene:

• Athleisure is king: You’re as likely to see sports leggings at brunch in Bray as in a yoga class.
• Bold colours and local pride: Retro GAA kits and even TikTok-famous O’Neills shorts are now streetwear must-haves.
• Eco-friendly moves: Irish brands like Gym+Coffee use recycled fibres and locally-sourced materials, because “green” is more than just our flag.
• Modular fashion: Layering is key, so hoodies, gilets, and waterproofs are on demand—ready for quick changeups when weather shifts.
• Personalisation: Custom club kits, charity run shirts, or even embroidered initials—Irish people love making it their own.

What started with practical kit for hurling in Kilkenny or running laps on your school pitch is now a badge of identity. Today’s *sportswear in Ireland* isn’t stuck in lockers between matches—it’s part of who we are, showing our love for fitness, community, clever style, and (always!) a healthy respect for the weather.