Athena was the brand name adopted for their knitwear label when Sean and Nora Cronin established their knitwear business in the beautiful West Cork Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking region) of Baile Mhúirne (or Ballyvourney) , meaning ‘The place of my beloved’.

Since its inception in 1989, Athena has developed its business and has become a well-established and recognised producer of high quality knitwear. The range has been steadily expanding from the early days specializing in Mohair and traditional Aran sweaters to today where the extensive catalogue also includes a wide range of ladies, gents and children’s designer knitwear and accessories including caps, scarves, hats, hair bands, mitts and baby boots. The entire range is hand-knitted by ladies in the area, who are continuing an old tradition going back many centuries.

All products are available in a comprehensive choice of colours from the ‘Kilcarra’ range of quality yarns, produced in Donegal, the most Northerly part of Ireland. Donegal is famous throughout the world for its wool and tweed products.

 Athena’s market extends throughout the world, supplying the major retail outlets in the Irish market and spanning to the American, European and more recently, the Asian markets.

 Many of the specialized designs incorporated for the Japanese market are provided by the Japanese buyers and are very novel and modern.

Contact: Sean Cronin