The Store at the heart of Connemara: Standún

For over 80 years, Standún has been synonymous with Connemara and under the leadership of sisters Clíona and Laragh, it continues to attract locals and tourists alike to both their Spiddal and Oughterard stores. Discover it's story below.

The story of Standún begins with the love story of May and Máirtín Standún, a couple with both a passion for the Irish language and a shared dream of owning their own store. It was while on a cycling holiday in Connemara, they came across a small bungalow for sale and instantly knew that this place was meant for them. Functioning as both home and shop, their business began to grow. As it grew it attracted a lot of love from people all over Connemara, and Standún in turn fostered a sense of belonging and community among all its visitors.

above: photo courtesy of Standún

Over the years as the store expanded, May and Máirtín set out to do something no one had ever done before; commercialise the Aran Sweater. To do this they employed the help of over 700 knitters from around rural Ireland, and as a result they became the very first exporters of the Aran Knitwear to the USA. Ní neart go cur le chéile, there’s no strength without unity. To this day, the store welcomes people from across Ireland who are children and grandchildren of the knitters who helped make this achievement possible!

Nowadays, Standún is run by its third generation and is thriving due to the commitment and passion of sisters Clíona and Laragh to continue growing the family business and maintaining its strong reputation for quality products and friendly service. It was Clíona and Laragh at the helm in 2018 when Standún opened its second location in Oughterard. Their chapter in Standún’s story continues to flourish with every new ambition they set for their family store.

above: photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige

Standún’s two stores have become synonymous with Connemara and have been extending a Céad míle fáilte to locals and tourists alike for nearly 80 years. The experience of shopping at Standún is all-inclusive: homeware, gifts, Irish and sustainable design, jewellery, clothing for men, women and children as well as, of course, the Aran Knitwear. Their store in Spiddal is also home to a cosy café space, allowing shoppers to sit and enjoy a cosy cuppa and treat after or before browsing the shelves and rails around the shop. Visit Standún on the Connemara Coast Road in Spiddal, or on The Square in Oughterard. To shop Standún online visit www.standun.com.

Feature photo courtesy of Standún

above: photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige