News
Visiting the Home of Merino Sheep September 10 2022
The Snowgrass Team recently took a trip to New Zealand on a suppliers visit. We were very fortunate to pass through some stations that have Merino sheep. These stations are in the heart of the South Island where the altitude is high and there are views of mountains all around. The Southern Alps lie down the western side, with Mt Cook (the highest mountain in New Zealand) looming overheard, and other mountain ranges completely circling the basin.
We were there during New Zealand's winter when the land was covered in snow. The Merino sheep have such a superb fleece that this was just another day out for them. They truly are magnificent to look at with their beautiful curled horns and regal way of standing.
We feel so grateful to these beautful Merino sheep that live in such cold conditions and have such an amazing fleece that keeps them protected from the elements. And then we get to wear the same fleece, that has been turned into a beautiful Merino fabric, to protect us from the elements - thank you Merino sheep, we are so lucky :-)
Here's some pics that we took...
Lockdown DownUnder and Our Shipment August 28 2021
Click here for the latest information about our shipmentOrna Mulcahy: Time for more wooly thinking on sustainability August 16 2021
Check out this brilliant article by Orna Mulcahy in Saturday's Irish Times.
She gives a couple of very interesting insights into wool:
1. The Campaign for Wool (founded by Prince Charles) buried 2 garments in the ground. One was made of polyester, the other wool. Six months later they were both uncovered, the results - “the wool jersey had all but disappeared with a few fat worms digesting the final strands” and the polyester was completely unchanged to the point “You could have put it through the washing machine and worn it again”. Need I point out the obvious?
2. Further, every year millions of barrels of oil are used to manufacture polyester fabric, also polyester is difficult to recycle. Whereas wool is from a renewable resource and we know it decomposes naturally. Not to mention it is breathable, gives sun protection, is naturally odour-resistant, and beautiful to wear.
Thumbs up for Wool, all the way! Especially Merino Wool! 
Not Long Now! Our Shipment is Nearly On It's Way! July 27 2021
Get the latest update on our shipment of Snowgrass Merino Wool Clothing coming from New Zealand. Remember we ship everywhere for FREE!Is What You Are Looking For Out Of Stock? January 18 2021
As we come to the end of our 2020/2021 Winter Season our stock shelves are looking pretty empty. Which is a good thing for us but not so good for you, our customer. We know how frustrating it is to finally find that Merino Wool item that you have been searching for just to discover your size is out of stock.
We normally receive a big shipment from New Zealand in late summer so that we are all ready for the coming Winter season and we try to avoid having to do small shipments in between. These cost more money and often arrive too late, especially this time of the year as the days are getting brighter.
But if you are looking for something, such as one of our Snowgrass Merino Tops or Vests, or any of the Merino Wool socks that we normally stock, please do email us at info@snowgrassmerino.ie and we will endeavour to help you out. We may be able to suggest an alternative or we can include your request in our shipment so that you are not disappointed next winter. But please do get in touch.
In the meantime, keep safe and well in these strange times.
Helen :-)
Unprecedented Demand! Is What You Are Looking For Out Of Stock? October 16 2020
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Update 11th Nov 2020 - We are delighted to say that our shipment has arrived - Yay! And we are stocked up again in Womens Tops (Charcoal and Lapis Blue and Pointelle), some Mens Tops and Childrens Tops (Blue Night and Midnight Blue). We also have Charcoal Childrens Tops in size 8-9 years as well - please email if interested or if we can help in any way.Update 28th Oct 2020 - Good News! We are delighted to say that our shipment of Merino Wool Clothing is on it's way from New Zealand and ETA is end of November. If you would like to be notified when we are all stocked up, or if you would like to reserve something, please email us at info@snowgrassmerino.ie. Thanks for your patience :-)We are experiencing huge demand this season! Which is a good complaint for us, but not so helpful for you, our customer, who can't find what you are looking for, or worse, find the item and then discover it is out-of-stock! Our apologies for this situation. Back in April/May, when we were putting our stock order together, we just did not envisage this type of demand as the world looked so uncertain back then, as it does now. However, rest assured, we have been in contact with our supplier in New Zealand and are hoping to put together another stock order of our Merino Wool Clothing to arrive in the next month. We would really appreciate it if you could drop us an email at info@snowgrassmerino.ie detailing exactly what item of clothing you are wanting and the size. And we will endeavour to get it included in our shipment from New Zealand. So please bear with us and we would greatly appreciate knowing exactly what you want. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Helen |
COVID-19 Update - We are Open and Accepting Online Orders April 07 2020
We hope you and your family are keeping safe and well in these uncertain times. Here at Snowgrass Merino Clothing we are hunkering down and abiding by government guidelines and restrictions. Luckily for us the local Post Office is within the 2km range that we are allowed to venture to and so if you are requiring any Merino Wool Clothing (and we have it in stock - which is another problem altogether!) then we are still able to accept and fulfil orders. All orders will be packaged following strict adherence to hygiene standards so that you can receive your order in confidence.
An Post is currently still delivering to any address in Ireland and the UK. Some countries have suspended mail service and a full list can be found on the An Post website here. If in doubt, please email us at info@snowgrassmerino.ie and we will check if we can get a delivery to you.
In the meantime, keep safe and keep well :-)
Introducing the Pretty Pointelle Merino Wool Vests for Comfort and Warmth November 18 2019
We are delighted to add to our 2019 Winter Collection a beautiful Merino Wool Vest made in the very pretty Pointelle fabric. Pointelle is "a type of knitwear or woollen fabric with small eyelet holes that create a lacy effect". These eyelets are in a diamond shape which makes the vests very pretty. But it is the ribbing which is the valuable feature of Pointelle as the ribbing traps the air creating a layer of warmth right next to the skin making these vests super warm and ideal for anyone who feels the cold. The ribbing also makes the vests quite stretchy so that it will hug your figure which, again, will create the ultimate in warmth.
The Pointelle Vests are generous in length so that they can be tucked in, and have a low scoop neckline so that they can be worn under shirts and low cut tops.
So if you want an ultra warm vest that hugs you then this is the vest for you!
Take a further look at here.
Introducing Norsewear Merino Wool Socks October 24 2018
We are delighted to be able to offer a selection of Merino Wool socks from the New Zealand Norsewear range. Norsewear is an iconic brand in New Zealand and are well known for their quality wool products. Their factory is in the heart of rural New Zealand at a small town called Norsewood which was established by Scandinavian migrants who arrived in New Zealand in 1872.
Norsewear have a huge range of socks available from farm socks to ski socks, from welder socks to dress socks. We have selected a range of socks for everyday wear, hiking/trekking, sport and specific health socks, as well as a childrens range. All of the socks are 70% Merino Wool and are made at the Norsewear factory in Norsewood, New Zealand.
Merino Wool socks are our number one choice when it comes to socks - they are soft, warm, durable, don't get smelly and are easy to wash. As with all merino products - once you start wearing them you won't want to wear anything else!
Take a look at our range here and if there is something specific that you are looking for please drop us an email at info@snowgrassmerino.ie and we will source it for you.
Check Out Our New Merino Wool Beanie Colours! October 12 2018
We are delighted to say all our new Merino Wool Beanies are up in our "Shop Merino" section. Yay!
We have some fantastic new colours in our Merino Wool Beanie range. In particular, we are loving the new Fuchsia plus the Leaf Green and Navy Marl. And we've got our old favourites back as well - the Blue Night and Lapis Blue, which are always so popular, Burnt Orange, Bold Red and a lovely collection of Greys and Charcoals.
Our Merino Wool Beanies are so popular due to the lightness and softness of the merino wool. Kids and adults, alike, love them as Merino Wool regulates your temperature so doesn't overheat. This makes them ideal for all sporting activities as well as on any winter day. And the slimness of them means they are perfect for under cycle helmets.
If you need help finding the right size please see our guide here, or drop us an email at info@snowgrassmerino.ie
New Season Colours On Their Way! September 04 2018
It's that time of the year again when the nights are getting cooler and we are waiting patiently for our new season colours to arrive from New Zealand. Our fantastic team in New Zealand sent it off last week and we are expecting to receive the shipment sometime next week.
We can't wait to see all the new colours and some exciting new styles to add to our collection. And, of course, we will still have our old favourites that are always so popular.
So if you are looking for something that is currently out-of-stock then please be patient with us. Keep an eye on our Facebook page or Instagram to be the first to know when we are all stocked up. Or drop us an email to info@snowgrassmerino.ie if you would like us to email you directly.
#WatchThisSpace #WaitingPatiently
A Link To Our Name April 02 2018
There was an article in one of the New Zealand newspapers last week about Earnscleugh Station that farms 25,000 (yes, 25,000!!) Merino sheep in New Zealand. We were delighted to see the article mention the snowgrass tussock that the merino sheep feed on high up in the mountains. Snowgrass Merino Clothing is named after this same tussock which is the staple diet for the merino sheep when they are let to roam the mountains. It also happens to be the diet of the endangered Takahe bird, which is only found in New Zealand.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/sheep/102458197/climate-extremes-test-earnscleugh-limits
The Big Snow of Feb-March 2018 March 08 2018
We've put together a small photo collage of the big snow that covered Ireland completely from Top to Bottom. The whole country was white!
During this time we found the Merino Wool clothing perfectly ideal and so useful. The Leggings were fantastic under waterproof trousers, and the Long Sleeved Tops proved the best base layer. And best of all, if they did get wet, they still provided some warmth and dried quickly in between ventures outside. They didn't get smelly and so the same Top and Leggings were used every day from the first fall of snow on Wednesday, through to the final day on Sunday.
And it was the same for the big kids - the camisole paired with the Womens Long Sleeved Top over top was just so snug. But we missed the Merino Wool Leggings so we are determined to add this to our range for the next winter season!
Argh! Nearly All Sold Out! December 12 2017
My goodness we have had an amazing Christmas season, so much so that we only have 1 neck gaiter left (in the light blue) and we have sold out many of our beanies!
Also our camisoles have proved hugely popular (as suspected!) and we no longer have Small or Medium in stock.
If you are looking for anything and finding it difficult to find the right size or colour (especially in the beanies as it can be quite confusing) please email Helen at info@snowgrassmerino.ie or ring her on +353 87 936 4412. And she will help you out.
Merry Christmas!
Irish Times Article - Well Clad for Winter Walking November 16 2017
On Saturday last (11th November) the Irish Times had an excellent article in their Weekend Edition on what to wear when out walking this winter. The article was written by the editors of the Outsider magazine, so they certainly know their stuff.
We were delighted to see that they highly recommended Merino Wool as the ideal base layer and said "there's no substitute for merino wool". They specifically highlighted that the "natural fabric is cosy and breathable, and, most importantly, it doesn't get cold when wet. It's also naturally anti-bacterial so resists odours - even if you wear it for days in a row."
It is so great to see Merino Wool get a fantastic review in the Irish Times. It truly is an amazing natural fabric that no other fabric comes close to surpassing. Only nature could produce something so amazing - thank you Merino Sheep!
For the full article please click on the following link:
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/be-well-clad-for-walking-in-winter-wonderlands-1.3285590
Christmas Fairs 2017 - Where You Can Find Us November 13 2017
Yes, it's that time of the year again and we have been busy planning what Christmas Fairs we will be attending this year. It is not always easy trying to fit them in with our commitment to the Marlay Park Farmers Market every Sunday but there are a few favourites that we always go to.
So, first up is the St Enda's Christmas Fair on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November. This is held in the beautiful courtyard of St Enda's Park. The setting is so picturesque that it really is worth the visit. Last year we were entertained by the amazing Rathfarnham Ukele Group who are just fantastic. And Santa always makes an appearance as well which is a real thrill for the littlies.
Next is the Terenure Village Christmas Fair on Saturday 2nd December. This is held in the public car park in Terenure Village. This is a fantastic Christmas Fair with over 45 stalls selling everything from hot food, artisan produce, craft and doggy gifts, plus loads more! There is always loads of entertainment plus the switching on of the Christmas lights in the evening makes it very magical.
On Sunday 3rd December we will be, for the first time, at the Rathfarnham Educate Together Craft Fair. There is so much happening at this Fair - Kids Magician, Karaoke, BBQ, Face Painting, Lucky Dip and Games, Make Your Own Gingerbread Man and so much more. Definitely worth calling in to.
Then there is our local Christmas Fair at the Ballyroan Community Centre, Library and Church on Wednesday evening, 6th December. This is always a special one for us being our local community with lots of familiar faces. Kids absolutely love this Fair as it's in the evening so the lights make it extra special.
There are another couple of Christmas Fairs that we might be attending but we'll keep you posted about those, both here and on Facebook.
It's Here! Just in time for the Family Fun Day at Bushy Park! September 15 2017
Finally our long-awaited shipment from New Zealand is here! We are dying to show you our new merino wool goodies straight off the boat and you can be the first to see them if you are in and around Bushy Park this Saturday for the Family Fun Day which we have a stand at.
We will be getting them up on our website as fast as we can but first we need to make a phone call to our official photographer! So please bear with us for a few more days while we get photos taken. In the meantime, drop us an email on info@snowgrassmerino.ie if you have any requests or come and see us in Bushy!
Looking For Something? August 31 2017
If you've been cruising our pages you've probably noticed we're a bit low on stock and missing a few sizes, but, don't worry, we've just a received a phone call from the shipping company and our big shipment from New Zealand has arrived at the Dublin port! Yay!
So any day now we will be all stocked up again. There are a few new colours and styles so we'll be getting busy taking photos so we can load them up on our website, but bear with us, we'll be as quick as we can. In the meantime, if you have any questions just email us on info@snowgrassmerino.ie or give Helen a buzz on 01 406 9713
Time to Pack Away Your Winter Woollies – But Not Your Merino! May 16 2017
Yay! Summer is here! There is nothing like the warmth of the sun and the light evenings to lighten up the soul after a long winter (although, admittedly, the winter in Ireland was actually a fabulous one – beautiful, clear, crisp days and very little wind or rain, so we were lucky).
But now that the sun is shining it is a great time for flinging open the windows, tidying up the garden and getting the house into order. And one of those jobs is putting away all those winter clothes that keep us snug in the cold months. But before you put away all your wool items be sure to hang onto your merino ones, especially the lighter-weighted ones as merino is fabulous to wear in the summer months.
There are 3 Big Reasons for this.
Not So Sticky!
Being a natural fibre the merino wool fibres have the fantastic ability to respond to the air temperature and also to your own body temperature. When you are hot, merino wool will absorb any moisture from your body. This is because merino wool can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture and still feel dry to the touch. So it will take any sweat from your skin and evaporate it to the air. This leaves you drier and fresher. Whereas polyester can only absorb 1% - leaving you in one sticky sweaty mess – no, thank you!
Not So Smelly!
Merino wool is fabulously odour resistant. This is also thanks to the merino wool fibre’s ability to absorb moisture and also to the naturally occurring Lanolin in the wool which is anti-bacterial. The bacteria that create the odour require a moist environment and thanks to merino wool and Lanolin, this is kept to a minimum. So, take up the challenge of how many days you can wear a Snowgrass Merino Top before having to wash it!
Not So SunBurnt!
Another great advantage of merino wool is that it offers full protection (UPF 50) against the sun. This is due to its amazing ability to absorb radiation across the entire UV spectrum. This is a fantastic benefit as there is nothing worse than discovering you’ve been burnt through some flimsy cotton t-shirt you’ve been wearing!
So pack all those heavier wool items away but leave out your lovely lighter merino wool items. And don’t forget our challenge of how many days you can wear a Snowgrass Top – you’ll be amazed!
What Size Beanie? Choosing the Right Beanie For You February 09 2017
We get asked all the time about the sizes of our Merino Wool Beanies and what age do they fit, but it can be quite difficult to answer because, as we all know, heads come in different sizes, no matter how old you are!
Our Merino Wool Beanies come in 4 different sizes - Small, Medium, Large and X Large - but even then it’s difficult to assign an age to each size. The reason is because the right size for you is not only to do with the size of your head but it mainly comes down to personal preference as to how snug you like to wear them, and even factors such as the amount of hair you have needs to be taken into account.
Even so, we’ve sold a lot of beanies in our time and based on that experience we have put together a general guide. If you are still in doubt please feel free to email us at info@snowgrassmerino.ie as we would love to help you further. Also keep in mind that we do offer Free Shipping so it won’t cost you anything extra (and, just between you and me, we’ve also be known to offer Free Returns when the person has emailed us and are still a bit unsure of size) so the upshot of it is that you won’t be out of pocket if you want to return any unwanted sizes.
Size Guide
Small - This size is for babies. From newborns to around 2 years of age.
Medium - This size is from 1-2 years of age up to 5-6 years of age. (Although, we do know a man who bought this size!)
Large - This size is from 4-5 years of age upwards. Many adults buy this size and they fit perfectly.
X Large - This size is mainly for adults but some kids might prefer this size too, especially if they have larger heads (like our boys!)
But, like we said, email us at info@snowgrassmerino.ie and we'll try to guide you as best as we can. Or, even better, if you are in the vicinity of County Dublin then come along and see us on any Sunday at the Marlay Park Market, and then you can try them on yourself there and then. If you can’t make it to Marlay Park and you would still like to try them on then drop us an email at info@snowgrassmerino.ie and we can organise to meet you somewhere. It’s no problem and we enjoy meeting our customers in person anyway.
Hopefully, this guide will give you some idea and if you are still in doubt then please get in contact, we are very happy to help :-)
Great News - We Are Back In Stock! January 07 2017
Yay! Our shipment of Merino Wool Beanies and Neck Gaiters have arrived in Dublin!
We've got loads of new exciting colours and also a few of the old favourites. Please bear with us while our fab product photographer gets busy taking pics of the new colours so we can get them up on our website. In the meantime, if you happen to be near Marlay Park in Dublin then pop over to us to have a look. We'd love to hear what you think of them :-)
Beanies and Neck Gaiters nearly out of stock - again! December 09 2016
We thought we had properly stocked up on beanies and neck gaiters to last until the end of the winter season, but they have proved even more popular than we ever thought and have out done our expectations again!
But don't worry, our fantastic manufacturers in New Zealand are on the case so we will be stocked up again shortly, fingers crossed before Christmas!
Keep an eye on our Facebook page, or here, for when they arrive. Or drop us an email at info@snowgrassmerino.ie if you want us to let you know directly and keep anything aside for you.
In the meantime, enjoy the build up to Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
What’s Happening This Christmas 2016? November 21 2016
Christmas 2016 is well on it’s way now! How do we know? Well, here’s just a few things we noticed here in Dublin, Ireland…
- Halloween is a distant memory and all the decorations are back up in the attic
- Smyths Toy Store is now open until 11pm every night
- The Grafton Street Christmas Lights were officially turned on last Sunday
- All the leaves are nearly off the trees
- The Kris Kindle list of whose buying for who has been made
- The An Post flyer of postal dates came through the letter box
- Advent calendars are in the shops
- Parents are starting to use that old favourite of “Santa is watching!”
- It’s impossible to book a restaurant
- We’ve eaten our first mince pie
- Turkeys are getting nervous
- It even tried to snow today! Fingers crossed for a white one…
- And finally, Christmas Fairs are happening all over the country
Speaking of Christmas Fairs, we’ve got a few favourites that Snowgrass attends and has a stall at.
First up is the Marlay Park Craft held in the big house from Friday 18th November to Sunday 20th November. We won’t actually be in the big house as we’ll be in our usual spot on Sunday outside.
Next is the St Enda’s Christmas Market on Saturday 26th November and Sunday 27th November. The market is set in the lovely courtyard and the brilliant Rathfarnham Ukelele Group are playing on Sunday. It is such a lovely setting and perfect for an outing with the family, especially since Santa Claus will be making an appearance.
Then there is the Ballyroan Christmas Fair on Wednesday 7th December which is always fantastic as it is held in the evening with all the Christmas lights sparkling.
And then finally Airfield are holding their first ever Christmas event. And as with everything that Airfield do we know it will be picture-perfect. The Airfield Estate Christmas Experience runs for most of the month of December and we will be there on Saturday 10th December and Sunday 11th December.
We hope to see you at one of these Christmas Fairs :-)
They Are Up! September 11 2016
Our fantastic new colour range of beanies and neck gaiters have just gone up on our website. We are so excited about the new colours, and are just loving the Bold Red and Burnt Orange in particular, not to mention the Vibrant Fuscia! Make sure you click into Shop Merino on our website and take a look yourself, and be sure to drop us a note on info@snowgrassmerino.ie and let us know what you think.
Roll on winter as we are dying to don these funky colours!
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