Irish clothing

[[File:Muiredach, abbot of Monasterboice, 890-923 A. D; his life and surroundings (1914) (14591264647).jpg|thumb|''Arms, Armour, and Dress in Ireland a.d. 1521.'', an illustration by Albrecht Dürer found in the 1914 book ''Muiredach, abbot of Monasterboice, 890-923 A. D.; his life and surroundings'']]

[[File:Muiredach, abbot of Monasterboice, 890-923 A. D; his life and surroundings (1914) (14591264647).jpg|thumb|''Arms, Armour, and Dress in Ireland a.d. 1521.'', an illustration by Albrecht Dürer found in the 1914 book ''Muiredach, abbot of Monasterboice, 890-923 A. D.; his life and surroundings'']]

Little is known about Irish apparel before the twelfth century. Historians believe that the early inhabitants of Ireland dressed in [[wool]] cloth, although some argue that garments made of animal skins were more prevalent. By the thirteenth century, the Irish were bundling themselves in [[Mantle (clothing)|mantles]], which are coats made of wool cloth. Mantles were composed of wool but occasionally of animal skins.

Little is known about Irish apparel before the twelfth century. Historians believe that the early inhabitants of Ireland dressed in [[wool]] cloth, although some argue that garments made of animal skins were more prevalent. By the thirteenth century, the Irish were bundling themselves in [[Mantle (clothing)|mantles]], which are coats made of wool cloth. Mantles were composed of wool but occasionally of animal skins.

Beneath the Brat (plural bratanna), they wore {{lang|ga|léinte}} (singular: {{lang|ga|léine}}), long linen tunics that extended to the ground but were gathered into pleats and belted so that they fell to the knees (the excess material was allowed to hang down at the waist and cover the belt, as can be seen in the Dutch painting illustration). The {{lang|ga|léine}} was very wide at the bottom and narrow on top. Likewise, the {{lang|ga|léine}}'s sleeves were narrow at the upper arms but widened greatly at the elbows. The sleeves were open to allow the lower arm to emerge, but hung down behind the elbow to the knee or sometimes as far as the ground. {{lang|ga|Léinte}} were saffron-yellow ({{lang|ga|léine croich}}, 'saffron shirt'. The {{lang|ga|léine}} was worn throughout [[Gaelic culture]], including in western Scotland, up until the late 16th century. In Ireland, traditional Gaelic dress, including the {{lang|ga|léine}}, was banned by the [[Dublin Castle administration]].

Beneath the Brat (plural bratanna), they wore {{lang|ga|léinte}} (singular: {{lang|ga|léine}}), long linen tunics that extended to the ground but were gathered into pleats and belted so that they fell to the knees (the excess material was allowed to hang down at the waist and cover the belt, as can be seen in the Dutch painting illustration). The {{lang|ga|léine}} was very wide at the bottom and narrow on top. Likewise, the {{lang|ga|léine}}'s sleeves were narrow at the upper arms but widened greatly at the elbows. The sleeves were open to allow the lower arm to emerge, but hung down behind the elbow to the knee or sometimes as far as the ground. {{lang|ga|Léinte}} were saffron-yellow ({{lang|ga|léine croich}}, 'saffron shirt'). The {{lang|ga|léine}} was worn throughout [[Gaelic culture]], including in western Scotland, up until the late 16th century. In Ireland, traditional Gaelic dress, including the {{lang|ga|léine}}, was banned by the [[Dublin Castle administration]].

Another garment, known as an {{lang|ga|ionar}}, was a jacket, pleated at either beneath the breast, or at the waist, with split sleeves. Woodcarvings seem to indicate that {{lang|ga|inar}} were richly decorated, possibly through embroidery. In winter, a {{lang|ga|cota mór}} was added beneath the {{lang|ga|brat}}; this was a greatcoat made of thick wool, with a small standup collar and sleeves that unbuttoned below the elbow to allow the long sleeves of the {{lang|ga|léine}} to come through. Less is known of the early apparel of the Irish women and children. It is likely that the earliest female inhabitants of Ireland also donned {{lang|ga|léinte}} which looked similar to those of their male counterparts. By the fifteenth century, women were wearing long dresses made from wool cloth, often decorated with ribbons and other accessories.

Another garment, known as an {{lang|ga|ionar}}, was a jacket, pleated at either beneath the breast, or at the waist, with split sleeves. Woodcarvings seem to indicate that {{lang|ga|inar}} were richly decorated, possibly through embroidery. In winter, a {{lang|ga|cota mór}} was added beneath the {{lang|ga|brat}}; this was a greatcoat made of thick wool, with a small standup collar and sleeves that unbuttoned below the elbow to allow the long sleeves of the {{lang|ga|léine}} to come through. Less is known of the early apparel of the Irish women and children. It is likely that the earliest female inhabitants of Ireland also donned {{lang|ga|léinte}} which looked similar to those of their male counterparts. By the fifteenth century, women were wearing long dresses made from wool cloth, often decorated with ribbons and other accessories.