O'Neills Australasia - Our History


OUR HISTORY

  • At O'Neills, we combine cutting edge sportswear design with unbeatable delivery times. Our focus on quality has made us Ireland's leading sportswear manufacturer. When you choose O'Neills you are choosing quality.


  • It all began in 1918 when Charles O’Neills spotted a need for Gaelic football and hurling balls. The first O’Neills size 5 football was produced by Charles O’Neill & Co. in his family home on Dublin’s Capel Street. Over the next 50 years, the company became renowned as the manufacturer of footballs and hurling balls for Gaelic games. Venturing into the textile industry initiated a whole new era for O’Neills, as the company began manufacturing sports apparel and playing kits. The expansion of the facilities in Walkinstown and Strabane, acquisition of dye houses and investment in state-of-the-art knitting technologies provided the foundations to implement a vertically-integrated manufacturing operation. Today, each stage of the production process is overseen in-house – from the knitting of yarn through to dyeing, cutting, sewing, printing and embroidery – to ensure each garment is of the highest quality.

    Over 100 years later we are now the largest sportswear manufacturer in Ireland, employing more than 1,000 people across the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, and beyond. Our products are available worldwide, but we are proud to still be an 100% Irish-owned company. The iconic O’Neills size 5 ball is still being produced amongst our sports apparel, international sportswear and teamwear. We supply teamwear for over 7,000 clubs worldwide for a range of sports including Football, GAA, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Hockey, Boxing, Cricket, Basketball, Athletics and more.



MOMENTS IN TIME
  • 1918

    The first O’Neills size 5 football was produced by Charles O’Neill.

    Charles O'Neill
  • 1978

    60 Years of progress manufacturing All Ireland Footballs & Sliotars.

    1978 Manufacturing
  • 1981

    Republic of Ireland football team before kick off against France.

    Rebublic Of Ireland 1981
  • 1985

    IRFU win the Triple Crown wearing O’Neills.

    IRFU 1985
  • 2005

    Tyrone win back the All-Ireland title in September 2005.

    Tyrone Win The All Ireland
  • 2010

    oneills.com ecommerce was born as we went online.

    Website is launched
  • 2012

    Harlequins Rugby Union win their maiden Premiership.

    Harlequins
  • 2018

    O’Neills celebrated 100 years in business.

    100 Years
  • 2019-22

    Saint Helens win 4 Super League titles in a row.

    St Helens 4 in a row