Studio Donegal Kilcar
Studio Donegal Kilcar, located on the outskirts of the southern village, has played home to an authentic hand weaving mill for over one hundred years. As with most burgeoning companies the mill also tried to make their business more modern. In the sixties they incorporated, what was then, modern machinery into the mill in the hope that it would boost their business.
The experiment failed and it became apparent that the move into more modern practices meant that the true Irish essence of the mill had been lost. The mill was reopened ten years later under the leadership of Kevin and Wendy Donaghy.
They christened it Studio Donegal and it was their aim to restore the magic that had originally existed in the mill. They reintroduced the practices of traditional hand weaving and it continues to commit to preserving and promoting the original hand weaving skills passed down through generations in the remote mountainous region of South-West Donegal. Today, thirty years on, Studio Donegal is under its second generation of family ownership.
Tristan, Kevin and Wendy’s eldest son, has continued the fine practices and methods ingrained into the business by his parents. The company create a litany of traditional garments which are skilfully woven by a team of experts. Their clothing range caters for both men and woman and is traditional in design, rich in colour and built to last.
The majority of this fine clothing is made from pure new wool and other natural fibers. As well as traditional Irish hand weaving they source many of the yarns from Donegal Yarns, which is a spinning mill also in the area. Studio Donegal offers visitors a chance to experience these traditional Irish weaving methods first hand.
Croaghbeg Cottages
Two identical cottages in a spectacular scenic coastal location overlooking Donegal Bay.
Stone Cottage
The Stone Cottage is located on a hillside, just 500m to the village of Kilcar and with close proximity to several sandy beaches.
Tourists flock to Slieve League to witness the expert craft of those involved in the hand weaving and garment construction process. The soul of Donegal can be found in both the manufacturing process and the finished product itself. All from a truly remarkable part of Ireland, visit Kilcar and see the hand weavers at work first hand.
Surrounded by wild mountains, weathered rocks, spectacular green landscapes and traditional Irish cottages, the essence of which is captured in the fine cloths woven at Studio Donegal. While there why not pick up a Gatsby cap, a Donegal days throw or an Aran vest and take a little piece of Donegal away with you.
Tel: +353 74 973 8194
Email: info@studiodonegal.ie
Web: www.studiodonegal.ie