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Irish linen is linen produced in Ireland.
Linen is made from the flax plant. Most of the world crop of quality flax is grown in Northern France, Belgium and Holland. This is bought by spinners who produce yarn and this, in turn, is sold to weavers (or knitters) who make fabric.
Linen has been spun and woven in Ireland for centuries. (Flax was also grown in Ireland for many years although advanced agricultural methods and more suitable climate led to the concentration of flax cultivation in northern Europe.) Today flax for Irish Linen yarn is imported from France, Belgium and Holland.
Irish Linen yarn is defined as yarn which is spun in Ireland from 100% flax fibres.
Irish Linen fabric is defined as fabric which is woven in Ireland from 100% linen yarns. The yarns do not necessarily have to come from an Irish spinner and sometimes come from Italy, France and the Far East.
Products made from Irish Linen fabric may be labelled "Irish Linen" with the Irish Linen Guild trademark. The Irish Linen Guild is the offical promotional body for the industry and was formed in 1928.
Goods made from Irish Linen fabric (including clothes and table or bedlinen) are often shipped to garment manufacturing plants across the world where they are made up to designers' or retailers' specifications.
Because of Country of Origin laws, these products may end up being labelled Made in X whereby X is the country they were made up in. Consumers are often confused by this, especially if the product is also labelled "Irish Linen". The linen is "Irish Linen" if it is woven in Ireland regardless of where the product is made up.
The Irish Linen Guilds labels and swing tags stress this to avoid confusion for consumers and retailers.
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