Ní Neart go Cur le Chéile
Strength in Unity

It’s not often that Inis Meáin can be described as busy or crowded, but one day a year all that changes when the island’s secondary school Coláiste Naomh Eoin hosts Ireland’s original island road race, Inis Iron Meáin. The event celebrated its twenty-first anniversary in May of this year and Inis Meáin Knitwear was proud to be the main sponsor as we have been since the beginning. This included welcoming the return of Irish Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan who was also guest of honour at the very first Inis Iron Meáin in November 2004 when the school was in its infancy.

The continued success of the island’s secondary school is a cause close to the hearts of all islanders. While Inis Meáin has had a primary school since 1887, the island did not have a secondary school until 2001. Previous to the school’s founding, for the islanders of Inis Meáin it was boarding school on the mainland or no secondary education. Ruairí de Blácam, our Joint Managing Director was born in 1974 and attended the island’s primary school. There were four children in his year-group, and all left the island for secondary education, Ruairí going to boarding school near relatives in Dublin. Of the four, only Ruairí came back to live on the island. When children left Inis Meáin for education, few had the opportunity to return as adults to live, to thrive, to work and rear families here.

In the mid-1970s Inis Meáin was in a limbo of neither living or dying. Young people were emigrating from the region in their droves, the island had neither electricity or running water, and goods were still rowed in on traditional currachs. The founding of Inis Meáin Knitting Company in 1976, built on the heritage of Aran knitting, and employing skilled island craftspeople, ensured that tradition and modernity could coexist – and thrive. 

And so, it is in appreciation of the transformative effects the secondary school has had on the island that Inis Meáin Knitwear is proud to continue its support of the Inis Iron Meáin event. Along with the staff of Coláiste Naomh Eoin, we were delighted to welcome home islanders, former and future students, as well as special guests Irish Olympians Sonia O’Sullivan and Rob Heffernan; Lord Mayor of Galway, Peter Keane, and Irish and Lions rugby international, Bundee Aki. In a very positive reversal, since the opening of Coláiste Naomh Eoin the island has welcomed students to boarding school here, where they stay with island families. This offers them a unique educational experience through Irish and helps island children broaden their horizons and social opportunities. The annual Inis Iron Meáin is not just an athletic event but a celebration of the school and the marvellous fact that island children today are educated in the best place they could be; on Inis Meáin.

We were fortunate enough to enjoy some wonderful island time with Sonia, a fantastically upbeat and positive person. Here she is wearing the Limited Edition Landscape Tunic, evoking the essence of the island in sea blues and mossy greens and equally suitable for Men and Women with an airy light weight and comfortable drape. In the continuing spirit of strength in unity, 10% of sales on these special linen sweaters have been donated to the island secondary school. As Bundee Aki put it in this 1 minute film about this year's race - Inis Meáin abú!

The short film also features our own Ailbhe de Blacam, who will be the only islander among the new crop of first years at Coláiste Naomh Eoin this September.

Students can express an interest in attending Coláiste Naomh Eoin here.

Registration will be available for next year's Inis Iron Meáin on the 3rd of May 2026 here.