Achill Fashions

Many of the young women one sees about Achill are undoubtedly handsome-one or two we saw would be called beauties in any country-and they have dark blue eyes, deep red hair perfect complexions, features, figure, and carriage. And then another charm has to be added: the voices of Achill men, women, and children are always low-pitched, softly modulated, and musical-rather remarkable characteristics when one considers the open air life they lead, and the windy, boisterous climate of the Island. But hard work and open-air life soon destroy boudoir-like beauty, leaving, however, always the graceful carriage and pleasant voice. The women’s dress of Achill consists of bodices, skirts, and shawls, hats and boots being more conspicuous by their absence. The colours affected are gorgeous. Reds of all shades, from that associated with the Post Office to the pale, washed-out tint; purple of the most deeply imperial to the salty; magentas and a colour called “puce” are likewise in vogue, as is also a vivid blue. Their blankets are home-made, of wool from the mountain sheep, and “natural wool” coloured. The woollen skirts are generally home-made, and dyed in various and locally fashionable shades with dyes purchased from Westport. The yellows and browns and a prevalent mustard colour for the men’s homespun are obtained by boiling a lichen which grows on the rocks at Kim Bay. On Sundays and festivals the better-to-do women wear the well known large, cover-all, Irish cloaks, generally deep blue in colour when going to or returning from mass.