Our talented in-house design team look to the rugged land and seascapes that surround Donegal for inspiration when creating our range of throws, which are then woven at our mill.
Here is a little insight into some of our favourite patterns.
Cavalry Twill crossed with an oversized plaid
Directly inspired by a pattern in our weaving archive, the intricate weave creates a Cavalry twill plaid. The steep double twill lines, which define the term ‘Cavalry twill’ are flecked with unexpected pops of colour throughout.
The ‘Cavalry twill’ design was originally developed for use in riding breeches/pants for military uniforms – it was stretchy and durable, and made in wool or cotton blends.
St Brigid’s Cross
A well-known symbol in Irish heritage, our team have recreated the elaborate St Brigid’s cross in a range of natural colourways drawn directly from the local landscape.
St Brigid’s day is celebrated on 1st February and traditionally a cross, often with a diamond in the middle was woven from rushes or straw. It was hung in the rafters of a house and left there for protection for the rest of the year.
Oversized Houndstooth in Irish wool
A contemporary take on a timeless classic, the exaggerated houndstooth makes this a real statement piece in Irish wool.
We are committed to developing Irish Wool for use in our textiles and have been working with our yarn supplier on sourcing wool from farms across Ireland. This wool is spun locally by Donegal Yarns and designed and woven into luxurious fabrics at our Mill in Donegal Town.
Fern
Taking inspiration from the flora of the rugged landscapes that surround us in Donegal, the unexpected flecks of colour in the weft delicately encapsulate the traditional character synonymous with Donegal Tweeds.
Painterly Herringbone
One of the two “true” Donegal Tweed patterns, herringbone is said to have been inspired by the fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean by the part-time fishermen and part-time weavers. These throws feature a contemporary oversized herringbone with subtle flecks.
