While on his recent visit to Donegal to shoot our latest campaign, we sat down with extreme adventurer Damian Browne and picked his brain about what motivates him to achieve his incredible feats, what he’s listening to right now, and of course, the wild coasts of the Atlantic Ocean.
What kept you motivated when crossing the Atlantic?
In a word; meaning. The project was one of great purpose and meaning to me because of its fulfilling nature. It would give me enormous rewards on many different levels of life if I was able to complete it and plenty still if I wasn’t. Meaning is like a center mass of indefatigable energy that if you can understand your why and align your actions to that why, you will never run out of energy in the pursuit of the goal. Harnessing emotional energy through the powers of your imagination is a great way to fuel your actions and neutralise the effects of the darkest of negative states.
Best piece of advice you have ever received?
You can motivate by fear, you can motivate by reward, but the only lasting motivation is self-motivation.
Do you have a motto you live by?
Life is a fight. (And you better cultivate the capacities to deal with the fight).
What drives you?
Self realisation. Getting to my deathbed with a sincere knowing I didn’t waste a minute of my life and tried with all my heart to live courageously, authentically and lovingly.
What do you consider the greatest success in your life?
The peacefulness, contentment, and security of my default internal state.
What did you want to be when you grow up?
A professional golfer or professional rugby player.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Impossible to pick one but Glassilaun beach in Connemara, The Flaggy Shore in North Co. Clare or Bequia in The Grenadines in The Caribbean
Damian Browne with Patrick, Rosy and Charlotte Temple
What is your favourite book?
The Oxford Atlas of The World.
Describe your dream day at home in Ireland.
A mentally challenging training session, a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, quality time with Rozelle and Élodie, at least one great double espresso, a laugh with a friend/friends, a walk in nature with the dog and family, a meaningful conversation with Rozelle and 3 home cooked meals including some quality Irish beef or lamb.
What do you listen to when training?
My internal voice. I pay attention to what I am feeling; physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Apart from your own, what podcasts do you enjoy?
Desert Island Discs.
You are an incredibly busy person, what do you do to relax?
I operate out of a pretty calm state so never really feel the need to deliberately relax. However, training brings a greater sense of peace to me as does a dip in the ocean or a walk in nature.
What’s next?
I am still recovering emotionally from the incredible demands of the North Atlantic row, so I don’t have anything “big” on the horizon for the next while. In the meantime, for my travel and adventure fix I am climbing Kilimanjaro back to back in June and July.
Photography by Alex Hutchinson
Season 4 of Damian’s podcast ‘Deep Roots’ launches in June 2023
Our latest campaign features the extreme adventurer and peak performance athlete, Damian Browne. After retiring from a sixteen-year professional rugby career, Damian has since scaled some of the world’s highest peaks, crossed deserts and, last year, completed an epic 112-day row from New York to Galway.
Sharing common traits of resilience, commitment, skill, and character, together with a mutual affinity for the wild shores of the Atlantic, Damian captures the essence of Magee 1866.
Shot on location, by the sea in our home county of Donegal, the rugged coastline of which offers us endless inspiration, this campaign brings to life the character of our 5th generation family brand.
Known for our weaving heritage, sustainable fabric and high-quality, long-lasting pieces, we are committed to supporting the tradition of weaving and manufacturing textiles in the northwest of Ireland bringing a contemporary edge to an age-old craft.
As a family, we are avid fans of the outdoors, being in the elements and embracing wild places. When it comes to the water, Chairman Lynn Temple has a traditional Galway Hooker boat, which during the summer can be seen off the coast of Mountcharles and was used for this campaign, while CEO Rosy has represented Ireland at the World Rowing Coastal Championship. On land, Rosy has taken her bike and tent to explore remote places like Patagonia and Norway. Design Director Charlotte and CEO of Magee Weaving Patrick also hold a daring streak, with Charlotte having climbed Kilimanjaro and trekked the Himalayas and the Alps and Patrick’s love of exploring the wilds of Scotland.
This shared interest in adventure drew us to Damian as we admire the depth of courage and determination it takes to complete his feats.
Shop the lookbook online or in any of our three stores.
It has been a busy month at Magee 1866, spring is in the air and there is lots happening.
Here are some of the highlights from the last few weeks…
We shot and launched our women’s Spring Summer 2023 collection this month. Rich colour and luxurious fabrics define this collection, it is packed with carefree styles that are designed to make summer dressing as simple as possible and pieces are intended to integrate into your existing wardrobe, offering maximum flexibility.
The focus, as always, is on using the finest natural fibres, with many of the fabrics designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, this collection sees styles in Irish Linen, rich blends of silk and lightweight wool tweeds for warmer months.
Take a look behind the scenes of our studio shoot.
Extreme adventurer, peak performance athlete, and international keynote speaker Damian Browne gave a talk at Magee of Donegal, sharing stories about his global expeditions from climbing mountains to crossing desserts and oceans.
In conversation with MacDara Hosty, Damian described his epic 112-day solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean last year, creating history by becoming the first person ever to row from New York City to Galway as well as his future plans including an upcoming expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro.
Damian Browne
Patrick, Elizabeth, Rosy and Lynn Temple with Damian Browne
Rosy Temple
Damian Browne and MacDara Hosty
Damian Browne and members of the Donegal Bay Rowing Club
Damian will feature in an upcoming Magee 1866 campaign and was invited by the Temple family to Donegal for the event. Go behind the scenes of the campaign shoot, shot on location in sunny Donegal.
It was all hands on deck (literally) for the family, with CEO Rosy, Design Director Charlotte, Patrick, CEO of Magee Weaving and Chairman Lynn busy preparing the family boat ‘Sandpiper’ for the shoot.
Earlier in the month, the design team previewed Autumn Winter 2023, whetting our appetite for the colour and texture to come.
Creative Director Charlotte attended Punchestown Races in one of the newest additions to our women’s collection, the Molly breasted blazer. Ideal for this time of year when the sun is shining but still a little bit unpredictable temperature-wise, this style is crafted in a 100% wool herringbone Donegal Tweed, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal. The versatile camel and oat base is flecked with vibrant neps of duck egg blue, yellow, and mulberry, synonymous with Donegal Tweeds.
Finally, Patrick’s Cheviot sheep are lambing, with lots of happy new additions joining the flock. Patrick is working closely with a local shepherd in raising this flock as part of our commitment to developing Irish wool for use in our collections.
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Luxurious fabrics and rich colour define our Women’s Spring Summer 2023 collection.
Contemporary Tailoring
Experts in tailoring since the 1940s, we know what it takes to find a great fit. This season’s women’s collection features chic separates that offer sharp silhouettes.
Relaxed but tailored, new styles in Irish Linen, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, are intended to integrate into your existing wardrobe, offering maximum flexibility.
New to the collection, the Molly double breasted blazer is presented in a bold raspberry and pink pinstripe, contrasted with bottle green, sky blue and pale yellow. This blazer is a versatile addition to your wardrobe with an option to style with the coordinating Tina Irish Linen trousers.
With capsule dressing in mind, the Mourne blazer and matching Tina trousers in a rich, inky navy-blue Irish Linen can be dressed up with heels or paired with the light merino knit Jane jumper and trainers for a weekend look. Confident style with endless opportunities for coordination.
The blazer range also features styles in lightweight summer silk and cotton blends for warmer months, like the Aoife patch pocket blazer in a luxurious soft peachy-pink herringbone.
Mourne Irish Linen Jacket and Tina Trousers in Navy BlueMolly Irish Linen Double Breasted Jacket and Tina Trousers in Raspberry StripeAoife Silk Blend Jacket in Pink Herringbone
Carefree Style
Summer is about family, trips away and relaxing. This is reflected in some of the more carefree styles in the collection. Again, the focus is on natural fibre fabrics with Irish Linen featuring heavily. Renewable, biodegradable, and coming from an all-natural source, linen offers a rich, soft feeling that cannot be imitated by manmade fibres.
Styles designed to take the guesswork out of summer dressing, the Rebecca is a standout piece. Crafted in a rich blend of silk and cotton, this midi length shirt dress in a neutral oat and pale blue check is an outfit on its own. Another easy to wear piece, the oversized Aisling shirt in Irish Linen is lightweight and comfortable with an exaggerated shape inspired by men’s shirting.
Rebecca Silk Blend Dress in Oat CheckJane Merino Cable Knit Jumper in BlueAisling Irish Linen Oversized Shirt in Ivory
Classic Tweeds
Staying true to our roots in Donegal Tweed, this season sees a selection of jackets in timeless tweeds. The styles range from the casual Clodagh overshirt to the new, longline Molly double breasted blazer. The colourful flecks synonymous with Donegal Tweeds are visible throughout and are perfectly complemented by the colourful new season knitwear in merino wool.
Clodagh Tweed Overshirt in Plaid Milly Donegal Tweed Jacket in Pink Salt & PepperMolly Donegal Tweed Jacket in Camel & Oat Herringbone
As always, each piece in this new collection is carefully executed from concept to design to make, ensuring that they stand the test of time.
Experts in tailoring since the 1940s, weknow what it takes to make a good suit. This season, the designs are straightforward and timeless with a focus on high-quality, natural fibre fabrics. What more would you expect from weavers of fine cloth for over 150 years and five generations?
The pallet features earthy shades of brown, camel and green, inspired by the landscape of Donegal, as well as classic navy and greys with subtle and unexpected pops of colour throughout.
The range of summer-weight suits feature styles in 100% Irish linen and lofty blends of cashmere, linen and wool, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal and perfect as the weather warms. Laid back and carefree, these suits are just made for destination weddings, add an extra dimension with the coordinating waistcoats.
Staying true to our roots in Donegal Tweeds, this season sees two striking suits in 100% wool, woven at our mill. The rich dark green glencheck is flecked with the colourful neps Donegal Tweed is known for, while the classic Green Windowpane Check offers a timeless country look. Style with a shirt in 100% Irish Linen for a contemporary update.
With styles across classic and tailored fits, refresh your weekday wardrobe with a host of options for the office. Our travel suits are designed to stay looking crisp on the move and designed for maximum versatility while the flexible Mix & Match range sees jackets, trousers and waistcoats sold separately, allowing you to find the best fit for you.
Whether you are a future groom, a guest or want to update your 9 to 5 wardrobe, we have a range of tailoring options to suit every occasion.
Founded, like us, in the 19th century, Liberty Fabrics are titans of textile design.
Shortly after opening on Regent Street London in 1875, Arthur Liberty became renowned for his silks. By the 1890s Liberty Fabrics was a byword for the very best of avant-garde textile design. Today, every bolt of Liberty fabric is the product of a bespoke production process: hand drawn or painted by the in-house design team in London, Soho. Transformed onto fabric at Liberty’s own Italian printing mill, near Lake Como. Liberty Fabrics are created by skilled technicians who oversee the production of over 300 different designs every year.
We love working with Liberty Fabrics and have been incorporating their original patterns into our collections since the late 1990s. Known for small floral, abstract, and paisley prints in vibrant colours, the Liberty Fabric archive houses over 45,000 designs. These delicate and playful patterns are the perfect complement to the Donegal Tweeds of our men’s and women’s collections.
Luxury fabrics are at the heart of what we do with our own tweeds and linens, which we design and weave at our mill in Donegal, Liberty’s signature Tana Lawn® cotton is an ideal companion to these. A famous masterpiece of fabric technology, Tana Lawn® is fine, cool and durable with a silk-like feel.
This International Womens’ Day, we reached out to women we admire and invited them to share some words of wisdom…
EASKEY BRITTON PhD, Blue Health Scientist, Surfer & Author
Name a woman you admire/inspires you and why?
Irish artist Pauline Bewick has had the greatest influence on me since I first went to her art class aged 10. She embodied the wild feminine, encouraged me to nurture my creative power and to boldly express myself.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received from another woman?
“Our strength is in being soft, like water.” – freediver and founder of I Am Water, Hanli Prinsloo.
What advice would you offer another woman in your field/industry?
Our bodies are over 60% saltwater. And every second breath we take comes from the ocean. Breathe deep, you breathe the ocean inside. And remember, we are ocean.
Easkey’s new book ‘Ebb and Flow’: Connect with the Patterns and Power of Water’ will be released on April 11th, and is available for pre-order now via this link.
SIOBHÁN MCSWEENEY, Actor & Presenter
Name a woman you admire/inspires you and why?
I have to say my female friends. I have the most remarkable group of gals in my friendship circle. A veritable coven of wise, supportive, funny and inspiring women. Women who raise children and continue to maintain their own identity despite a system that demands that motherhood is subjugation and subsuming. These women are extraordinary role models both for me and the children they are rearing.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received from another woman?
From my own brilliant mother; Try and live by yourself for some time if you can. If you can’t live by yourself, how can you expect anyone to live with you (fully aware this is quite the privilege in this economic climate). I think at heart this is a version of Ru Paul’s – “If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love someone else?”
What advice would you offer another woman in your field/industry?
Remember as an actor the best tool you have is yourself. Don’t try and become a tabula rasa and erase everything that makes you unique. But keep working on yourself to become the most interesting, creative, professional and mischievous version of yourself. Thats what our industry needs; interesting and interested imps.
This summer, Siobhán will be starring in Landmark Production’s ‘Happy Days’, written by Samuel Beckett and directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, more information here.
AMBER BARRETT, Irish International Footballer
Name a woman you admire/inspires you and why?
A woman that I have always admired is Serena Williams. She continually pushes barriers and boundaries for her sport and succeeding under constant criticism. Dominating her sport, the way she did for such a long time, is such an unbelievable accomplishment.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received from another woman?
The best advice I received from a woman was listening to Jo Malone on the High-Performance podcast, and she said, “never make a life changing decision on a bad day” and it’s something that really stuck with me. Important to always be in a clear mind for these types of moments.
What advice would you offer another woman in your field/industry?
The best advice I would give would be to keep doing what they say you can’t do or what you aren’t able to. Push your own boundaries and do more. And the rest follows suit.
Amber and the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team will compete in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Aimee Connolly, founder of Sculpted by Aimee. I have met many incredible women over the years but this year I sat down with Aimee to film some content and I was blown away by her ambition/ dedication and lack of ego. She has achieved so much in business and is only getting started!
What advice would you offer another women in your field/industry?
Don’t let nerves stop you from taking that first step into your speaking career. Public speaking is terrifying at first and it can be enough to put you off. However, if you persevere it could change your life!
To name one is to omit many – so truthfully, it’s all of my female colleagues who maintain amazing, ambitious and ever-surprising practices despite the financial and practical difficulties of longevity in this industry.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received from another woman?
Rather than trying to make the ‘best’ work – just make the ‘next’ work – nothing can ever contain everything – and if it did that would be the end.
What advice would you offer another woman in your field/industry?
Surround yourself with supportive people who value you as well as your work – and – it’s your life not a race.
Niamh O’Malley’s critically acclaimed exhibition that represented Ireland at the 2022 Venice Biannale Gather – is on display at The Model, Sligo until April 8th, 2023.
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE, Design Director & 5th Generation Family Member – Magee 1866
Name a woman you admire/inspires you and why?
Amelia Earhart, the pilot. I love adventure and hugely admire a variety of early female adventurers and explorers who were groundbreaking in their particular fields in a time when women didn’t have the freedom, we experience today in the western world to travel and explore. They were incredibly resilient, brave and determined. Qualities that I feel are so important today, in any field – business to adventure.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received from another woman?
I used to be a real worrier and spend hours at night awake thinking and worrying about things I couldn’t control. As someone once told me in no uncertain terms – this is wasted energy and emotion and leaves you feeling exhausted!
The best advice I have been given is stop worrying about things that are completely out of your control, worrying about them will change nothing – it just stresses you out. Manage what you can control and generally things fall into place. We are all human and I do sometimes wake at night with something on my mind, I now listen to a sleep story or some music which is a good distraction.
What advice would you offer another woman in your field/industry?
We spend our life trying to find a balance, (or certainly I do!) and often get it very wrong, especially as a woman – it can be very hard to keep everyone happy – family, children, husband or partner, teams at work and yourself. When everything gets too much, try, hard as it might be to take a step back, breathe and reassess what is most important to you right now and prioritise – a day at a time. Give yourself some time, if you can find some space for you – some sport, a quiet moment with a book, a spa treatment – it often helps to put other areas of our busy lives into perspective & create a better balance – family, work and day to day life.
We have been specialising in exquisite tailoring since the 1940s. Our design philosophy has always promoted the concept of ‘slow fashion’ through timeless styles designed to be worn again and again. High-quality, long-lasting products define our DNA.
When it comes to suiting, there is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ approach. The first thing to ask yourself when suit shopping is “what are my needs?”, followed by “where am I going?”. Whether you are a future groom, a guest or want to update your 9 – 5 wardrobe, we have a range of tailoring options for every occasion.
Let us help you find your perfect fit.
Mix & Match
In our flexible Mix & Match range, jackets, trousers and waistcoats are sold separately, allowing you to find the fit that suits you best.
Designed for maximum versatility, these are styles for your weekday wardrobe, or a special occasion. Patterns in this collection are classic. The jacket and trousers make a great workday choice, add a waistcoat for a special occasion, or pair the trousers with our cotton cashmere knit for a smarter casual look.
Bearing all the hallmarks of quality associated with Magee 1866, our 2-piece and 3-piece suits are crafted in an array of luxury fabrics.
From Donegal Tweeds and Irish Linens, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, to lightweight wools and blends from mills in the UK and Italy, you will find a style for you. For those on the move, the Travel Suit is a practical option for the working day, wool-rich with added stretch for comfort.
The classic dinner suit never goes out of style. A timeless choice for black tie weddings and events, Mix & Match for an exquisite fit and add your own twist with a contemporary cashmere-blend turtleneck.
Our Made to Measure service, available exclusively in our three Magee 1866 stores, combines our expert tailoring with our love of luxury fabrics.
With dozens of fabrics available to choose from, many of which are designed and woven at our mill in Donegal. Our tailoring experts will guide you through the selection of every detail – linings, buttons, collar melton, piping and stitching. You can even add personalised embroidery to your suit or jacket for that extra special finishing touch.
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.
New in knitwear, expertly crafted in Scotland for Magee 1866.
There is a long history and heritage of knitting and textiles in Scotland. As with the Irish Aran jumper, Scotland has its own traditional styles, most famously the Fair Isle, named after the remote island, halfway between Shetland and Orkney to the north of Scotland.
Originally handknit, the intricate patterns of Fair Isle knits were passed down through generations. The vibrant colours came from natural dyes, similar to those traditionally used to create the colourful neps of Donegal Tweeds – indigo and madder gave blues and reds, with lichens, berries and flowers producing a rainbow of shades.
Industrialisation paved the way for mass production of finer, more delicate knits and so began Scotland’s legacy for producing the highest quality cashmere and lambswool knitwear.
Clyde Fair IsleJura Fair Isle
Fair Isle styles, the Jura and Clyde are full of charm, the two-tone colourways give a contemporary slant to the traditional design.
Knit in the round with a seamless construction for extra comfort, our Made in Scotland pieces are crafted in all-natural fibres and offer a rich, soft feeling that cannot be imitated.
Tory JumperLomond Jumper
The Lomand and Toryare perfect for layering, the rich bases are scattered throughout with colourful flecks in contrasting shades, adding the tonal texture synonymous with Donegal Tweeds.
