If you walk through St. Stephen’s Green or spend a rainy afternoon at a hurling match in Kilkenny, you’ll see one thing: sportswear is everywhere in Ireland. When talking about famous sportswear, the Irish market is stacked with big names—think Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour. These are the brands you’ll find at Elverys Sports or Life Style Sports, the two chains most Dubliners and Galway natives swear by.
But there’s more to the story than just global giants. Irish folks have a soft spot for their local teams and the gear that goes with them. If you’ve ever seen someone wearing an O’Neills GAA top in the local pub, you’ve caught a glimpse of a homegrown icon. O’Neills is basically the lifeblood of Irish football, hurling, and camogie teams—a brand as Irish as a cup of Barry’s tea.
Picking sportswear isn’t just about logo-hunting though. Irish weather throws everything at you: drizzle, wind, even the odd sunny spell. So locals are keen on practical features—breathable fabrics for rugby on muddy fields in Limerick, water-resistant jackets for hill walking in Wicklow, or quick-dry shorts for a dip in the Atlantic at Salthill.
- International Giants: Ireland’s Go-To Brands
- Homegrown Irish Labels and Local Heroes
- Where to Shop: City Stores and Online Picks
- Choosing the Right Gear for Irish Weather
International Giants: Ireland’s Go-To Brands
Show up at any Irish gym or sports shop, and you'll spot the logos everyone knows: Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and Puma. These sportswear brands aren’t just globally famous—they’re part of everyday life in Ireland. Need new runners? Chances are you'll pick between Adidas Ultraboost and Nike Air Max, both easy finds at places like Life Style Sports on Grafton Street or Elverys in Cork.
What’s cool is just how popular these brands are among all age groups. Nike’s moisture-wicking tech is a hit with joggers braving the rain in Phoenix Park. Adidas football kits fill the pitches during weekday training in Tallaght. Under Armour's base layers are a saviour for rugby players on frosty mornings in Connacht.
When it comes to price, these labels cover all budgets. Adidas and Nike often top the bill, but you’ll catch Puma running great deals, especially during seasonal sales in Irish outlets and online. Here’s a quick look at how these brands stack up for Irish shoppers according to a recent 2024 survey of sports retailers:
| Brand | Most Popular Item in Ireland | Price Range (€) | Main Sports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nike | Air Max Runners | 75-180 | Running, Football, Gym |
| Adidas | Football Kits, Ultraboost | 60-190 | Football, Running, General Fitness |
| Under Armour | Base Layers, Compression Leggings | 40-120 | Rugby, Gym, Training |
| Puma | Tracksuits, Football Boots | 35-140 | Football, Leisure |
Irish folks also care about comfort and performance, not just looks. For example, Nike’s Dri-FIT tops are handy when you’re sweating it out playing five-a-side at astro pitches in Blanchardstown. Adidas tracksuits, lightweight but warm, are everywhere in afterschool football sessions or weekend GAA practice. Under Armour is the quiet favourite for layering up during outdoor events like the Dublin Marathon or a rainy parkrun in Gorey.
If you’re shopping around Ireland, try popping into
- Life Style Sports (nationwide)
- Elverys Sports (every major Irish city)
- JD Sports (big in Cork and Limerick)
Homegrown Irish Labels and Local Heroes
When you think about sportswear in the Irish market, O’Neills is usually the first name people mention. This brand kicked off in 1918, and since then, it’s become the official supplier for nearly every GAA team in Ireland. If you’ve seen a county jersey, there’s a good chance it was made by O’Neills. They’re not just about tradition either—O’Neills uses modern materials, makes gear built for real movement, and offers just about every club, school, and county their own custom kits. In 2023 alone, O’Neills supplied playing gear for over 2,000 Irish teams.
Another Irish name with street cred is McKeever Sports from County Armagh. They’re known for working closely with clubs in the North and across Ulster, offering everything from teamwear to leisure tracksuits. For rugby fans, there's Canterbury of New Zealand—before you think that's cheating, their European headquarters are in Dublin, so they've got a proper footprint and supply a ton of gear for Irish provincial rugby squads.
It’s not just teams, though. Wild Atlantic Sports, started by young entrepreneurs in Galway, focuses on surfing, swimming, and outdoor kit designed for the west coast’s unpredictable weather. They’re the go-to for surfers in Lahinch or cold-water swimmers braving the 40 Foot at Sandycove.
If you want to buy local and support Irish jobs, look for sports shops that highlight homegrown brands. O’Neills has flagship stores in Dublin and Belfast where you can pick up gear or even design your own GAA top. McKeever’s gear is widespread in Ulster, while Wild Atlantic Sports has pop-up stalls at local surfing and triathlon events.
| Brand | Founded | Main Focus | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|---|
| O’Neills | 1918 | GAA, soccer, rugby jerseys | Nationwide, online, club shops |
| McKeever Sports | 2004 | Teamwear, club kits | Ulster, online |
| Wild Atlantic Sports | 2016 | Surf and outdoor apparel | West coast, Galway shops, events |
| Canterbury (EU HQ in Dublin) | Founded NZ, EU base 1997 | Rugby gear | Irish rugby shops, online |
The main tip? Irish brands understand the local scene like no one else. Their products are built for muddy pitches, wind, and the surprise downpour that always lands halfway through a Saturday match in Navan. When you wear Irish, you're part of something bigger than a logo—you're repping counties, clubs, and real Irish sports culture.
Where to Shop: City Stores and Online Picks
Finding decent sportswear in Ireland is easier than ever. If you’re in Dublin, head straight to Grafton Street or Henry Street. Life Style Sports has a big flagship store right in the heart of the city, stacked with the latest from Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour. Elverys Sports is dotted all over Ireland—spots like Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford have branches in their main shopping centres. These chains carry everything from running shoes to county GAA jerseys, and you’ll often catch sales tied to big matches or marathon weekends.
Outside of the big names, independent shops are worth a look too—places like Mick Murphy’s in Tralee or Tony O’Donovan Sports in Cork know their stuff and often stock more niche or local gear. Don’t miss the official O’Neills stores, either. For that genuine county jersey or hurling kit, they’re unbeatable, plus they let you personalise your order online if you’re keen to show county pride.
Shopping online is wildly popular for picking up sportswear brands that aren’t always in stock locally. O’Neills’ website is the go-to for team kits, but Irish folks also swear by the online shops of Elverys and Life Style Sports. You’ll usually snag free click-and-collect or quick courier delivery nationwide. For deals, keep an eye on Sports Direct’s Irish site—especially if you’re kitting out kids, as their prices are hard to beat for school PE kits and trainers.
If you’re after gear that’s hard to find in Ireland, big international sites like Zalando and ASOS do ship here and handle returns from within the country. Just watch delivery times, as things can take a week or two, especially if they’re coming from mainland Europe or the UK.
Quick tip: Always check the returns policy on shoes, especially if you’re training for something like the Dublin Marathon. Irish shops usually have decent return windows, and most city centre stores will let you swap sizes if you bring in your online receipt. Handy for last-minute changes before a match or event.
Choosing the Right Gear for Irish Weather
Irish weather is famous for being unpredictable. You might leave your flat in Cork under blue skies and get caught in a downpour before lunchtime. That’s why picking the right sportswear brands and gear is more about practicality than fashion here.
First off, good waterproofs are a must. Lightweight rain jackets from brands like The North Face or Under Armour are great for staying dry on the go. O’Neills even has GAA-branded shell jackets that handle showers without turning you into a sauna. If you plan to go hiking in Wicklow or jogging by the Liffey, go for something with taped seams and a handy hood—the wind in Ireland can turn an umbrella inside-out in seconds.
For everyday workouts, breathable and quick-dry fabrics come out on top. Adidas’ climacool range is popular in local gyms, while Life Style Sports stocks tonnes of dri-fit Nike tops. When you’re cycling along Galway’s Salthill Prom or heading for an early GAA training in Navan, nothing beats clothes that actually wick sweat and dry fast.
Don’t forget about layering. The trick is to dress like you’re heading for four seasons in one day, because you just might be. A decent base layer—think synthetic tees instead of cotton—keeps chill at bay. Brands like Canterbury make thermal tops that GAA fans wear under their county jerseys in Croke Park during the cold months.
Your feet need some love, too. Waterproof running shoes or trail trainers from Adidas or Asics are ideal for muddy parks or wet city pavements. Thick, moisture-wicking socks help if you’re on your feet for ages, especially during a soggy Cork City Marathon.
- Always check the forecast, but prepare for the forecast to be wrong.
- Invest in rainproof outer layers, but skip heavy coats—they’re impractical for sports.
- Choose clothing that dries fast, especially for pitch sports or long hikes.
- Get good socks and waterproof shoes for year-round wear.
No one here leaves home without a backup jumper in the boot or a compact raincoat in their backpack. It’s just how we roll in Ireland—ready for anything, especially the weather.