Heritage Fabrics 101: Donegal Tweed
Shop Genuine Donegal Tweed Flat Caps
Characterized by flecks of color (aka neps or Donegal Flecks) throughout its weave, Donegal Tweed is world-famous for its artisanal quality, durability, and centuries old heritage. Woven only within County Donegal in Ireland, Donegal Tweed is a labor of love, skill, and tradition carried and celebrated over generations. Although it is primarily woven using 100% pure virgin Lambswool, Donegal Tweed may also be crafted of other natural fibers including Mohair, Cashmere, and Alpaca – all in “true” salt & pepper Tweed, classic Herringbone, and other timeless patterns such as Plaid and Houndstooth.
Across Ireland’s rich weaving history spanning thousands of years, Donegal Tweed emerged as particularly well suited to the cool and famously unpredictable Irish weather. It is very much a product of the land and its people. It is not only warm but inherently water resistant thanks to its dense and tight weave while the oils naturally present in its fibers also help repel water. The very patterns and hues of the famed cloth were born from the surrounding landscapes and flora, resulting in verdant and mossy greens, peaty browns, bright fuchsias, vivid blues, and smoky greys.
Despite the industry’s overall pivot to power looms in the 1970s, some Donegal Tweed is still artisanally handwoven even today. Regardless of its specific make, all Donegal Tweed is carefully designed then thoroughly inspected, mended, washed, pressed, and inspected once more to ensure only the highest quality tweed fabrics bear the Donegal Tweed name. Leading Donegal Tweed manufacturers include Magee of Donegal (since 1866), Molloy & Sons Weaving Limited (since the late 1800s), McNutt of Donegal (since 1950), Studio Donegal (since 1979), and Eddie Doherty Handwoven Tweed (since 1956).
In the coming years, the recently created Donegal Tweed Association (made up of many of the names previously mentioned) hopes to secure a Protected Geographical Indication from the European Union. If successful, this indication would ensure genuine Donegal Tweed may only be produced in the Donegal region for posterity – similar to the way in which true Champagne may only be produced in the Champagne region of France or Parmigiano Reggiano in the Parma and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy. Investing in a Donegal Tweed cap, hat, or garment, therefore, means investing in the heritage and tradition of Donegal, Ireland the place as well as its people. Embrace sustainability and slow fashion – shop genuine Donegal Tweed products today!
For more information on Donegal Tweed, we recommend watching the Donegal Local Enterprise Office’s video, “The Story of Donegal Tweed”
By: G. Realpe, Copywriter