Figure 1.--The photo was taken in Claddagh, a village near Galway in western Ireland (early-20th century). We can see the whute washed cottges with thatched roofs, common at the time in Ireland. The boys are wearing long pants and knee pants. And like most boys in rural Ireland at the time, they are barefoot.

Irish clothing trends in the early-20th century followed trends in the late-19th century until World War I. Unfortunately our photographic archive which allows us to follow trends is still very limited for Ireland. The images we have found look a great deal like rural Britain, especially Wales, but not as prosperous. Irish boys at least in the cities and towns dressed essentially like British boys of comparable economic circumstances. Boys from well-to-to city and town families just like boys in England. We do not see significant differences. We see ordinary working-class boys commonly wearing knee pants or long pants, depending on their ages. Mist woring-class bts especially in rural areas went barefoot. The clothing was often heavily patched. This was less common in England. In the rural areas some boys were still dressed in traditional frocks, especially in the more isolated western counties. Most Irish people lived very provinical lives, interesting for a country with so mny emigrants living abroad. Many Irish youths served with the British Army in France, many of whom had never before been far from their home. This woild mean real changes when they returnd home. The Easter Rebellion in 1916 began the modern struggle for independemce. This did not affect, however, the pervasive impact of British influences like fashion, especially on the upper- and middle-classes. Hopefully our Irish readers will provide more information.

The 1900s

Irish clothing trends in the early-20th century followed trends in the late-19th century until World War I. Unfortunately our photographic archive which allows us to follow trends is still very limited for Irelnd. The images we have found look a great deal like rural Britain, especially Wales, but not as prosperous. Irish boys at least in the cities and towns dressed essentially like British boys of comparable economic circumstances. Boys from well-to-to city and town families just like boys in England. We do not see significant differences. We see ordinary working-class boys commonly wearing knee pants or long pants, depending on their ages. Most working-class boys, especially in rural areas went barefoot. This was an economic matter. Shoes were the most expenmsive garments. All shoes at the time wsre leathrr. EW do not see wooden shoes as in the Ndetherlnds and other countries. and many families could not afford lether shoes for the children. While most boys went barefoot, the usually had caps. The clothing was often heavily patched. This was less common in England. In the rural areas some boys were still dressed in traditional frocks, especially in the more isolated western counties. Most Irish people lived very provinical lives, intetesting for a country with so many emigrants living abroad.

The 1910s

Many Irish youths served with the British Army in France, many of whom had never before been far from their home. This woild mean real changes when they returnd home. The Easter Rebellion in 1916 began the modern struggle for independemce. This did not affect, however, the pervasive impact of British influences like fashion, especially on the upper- and middle-classes. Hopefully our Irish readers will provide more information.