Our History

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. 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.

Our pioneering spirit is built on one simple goal, to inspire everyone to pursue their passion. Everything we do is for the love of sport. From our roots in Capel Street, Dublin, to our partnerships across the globe, we strive to find breakthrough ways to make every performance better.

© Copyright 2025 O'Neills Irish International Sports Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.