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Get the Perfect Fit with Magee 1866 

At Magee 1866, we have been specialising in exquisite tailoring since the 1940’s. Our Made to Measure service combines our expert tailoring with our love of luxury fabrics.
Tailoring Then & Now 

A 5th generation Irish family business, Magee 1866 was founded on handwoven tweed over 150 years ago. The company started by sending fabric bunches to tailors throughout the UK and Ireland. In the mid-1940s Howard Temple (2nd generation) saw an increasing demand for ready-to-wear with a decline in the tailoring trade and started to manufacture tailored garments. 

Already known for our colourful Donegal Tweeds, moving to the finished garment was a natural progression. Our unique fabrics stood out from the industrial grey suiting that was the main product on the market. Magee 1866 thornproof suits and Donegal Tweed jackets stood the test of time and put us on the map for tailoring. The thornproof suit cost about 15 guineas, or £6 at the time. 

Building on this extensive history, tailoring is still at the heart of our business. Alongside this, and in line with how we dress today, we have expanded our offering and developed casual lifestyle collections. However, a beautifully tailored suit or jacket is still an essential piece for every wardrobe. 

Attention to detail – internally and externally – is key, with each component designed and made with care. Every piece plays a part. The elements you don’t see inside the garment are so important to how the jacket or trouser fits on the body and the linings, buttons, melton, piping, stitching, embroidery and of course, the main body fabric, bring the style together. 

The Made to Measure collection also offers a wide selection of design options – for example single or double-breasted jacket or waistcoat, the number and style of pockets and buttons, lapel width and design, single or double vent as well as side adjusters and hem details on trousers. 

Fabrics include our beautiful Donegal Tweeds – timeless Herringbones and Salt & Peppers, speckled with flecks of colour; classic pure new wool suiting in pinstripes, plains, checks and micro-designs; travel suiting with stretch and Irish Linens. 

Our design philosophy has always promoted the concept of ‘slow fashion’ through timeless collections, where pieces are designed to be worn time and time again. Sustainable fabric and high-quality, long-lasting products define our DNA.

The Process 

Our in store tailoring experts will take you through five short steps to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, be it for a wedding, special occasion, business suit or indeed a smart blazer. 

1. The Fit

Get the perfect fit. Your suit is made from scratch to your measurements, based on two tailoring blocks – classic or tailored. Our in store tailoring experts will work off the best block for you and make the necessary adjustments to ensure you have a perfectly fitting garment. 

2. The Cloth 

Select your fabric. Choose from dozens of fabrics, many of which are designed and woven at our mill in Donegal. 

3. The Details 

Select the finer details. Choose from our extensive collection of linings, buttons, threads, collars, meltons and piping. Select from a variety of styling details. This is the stage where you can really make your mark. 

4. Finishing Touches 

Personalise it. Add the finishing touches to your suit or jacket with personalised embroidery. 

5. Delivery 

Ready to wear. Your order will take six weeks to arrive from the date of order and can be collected from our stores or delivered direct to your door.  

Make an Appointment 

Our Made to Measure service is available from Magee of Donegal, Magee of South Anne Street and Magee at Arnotts (Dublin). In addition, the service is available across selected stockists in the UK and Ireland. 

Make an Appointment
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Behind the scenes

AW 2022 – Behind the Scenes 

In fashion, we are always looking to the future, collections are planned and prepared months in advance, with multiple teams involved. All of this hard work comes to fruition on photoshoot days and it is when the next stage of a collection’s journey begins… 

“Seeing designs go from sketches and swatches to real, wearable garments is always a thrill. On a photoshoot you get the opportunity to style and play and have fun with the collection, it’s certainly one of my favourite parts of the job!”  

Design Director, Charlotte Temple.

We have lots of exciting styles coming this Autumn Winter, it’s a collection we’re really proud of. Based on our roots and designed to showcase the best of what we do, taking our unique fabrics and creating timeless pieces. We can’t wait to share it with you, in the meantime, here’s a brief behind the scenes look at our recent shoot. A dreamy location and fantastic team, it doesn’t get much better.  

Models: Paul Kerr and Phoebe Tan of Morgan the Agency

Photography: Suzy McCanny 

Videography: The Focus Finders 

Hair: Carla Flannery

Hair: Carla Flannery

Make-up: Michelle Anderson Make-up  

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Gift Ideas

Gifts for Dad

Father’s Day is a time to take a step back and acknowledge the dad in your life. Usually falling on a bright summer’s day (we hope we don’t jinx this!), it is the perfect time to gather around and spoil your dad.  

We asked some of the Magee 1866 team how they will be marking Father’s Day this year. 

Charlotte – Creative Director 

“With three young kids we have a very busy house, this Father’s Day will be like every Sunday, lots of sport, family time and an attempt at a civilised Sunday lunch! Alongside homemade cards and gifts, the kids will be getting their dad one of our Irish Linen Shirts. Versatile enough to wear to the office or on the weekend, I love the look of linen and its natural and sustainable virtues cannot be beaten. ” 

Daniel – Ecommerce Manager 

“The summer for us is all about time together at the beach. I’ve been dropping hints about our new Dungloe chino shorts and Marfagh polos, they would make a great addition to my summer wardrobe. As for the day, I’ll enjoy some fish & chips by the sea with my wife and three boys. “ 

Rosy – CEO Magee Clothing  

“This Father’s Day myself and dad will be biking across Northern Norway. We’re both really sporty and the love of the outdoors is something we have always bonded over, whether it’s daily swims down at our local beach or weekend cycles across Donegal. Although it’s bright for 24 hours a day at this time of year there, it can get chilly at night, so I’ll be packing a Shannon cashmere blend crew neck jumper for dad’s Father’s Day gift. Lightweight but warm and easy to pack on a bike!” 

 
Don’t forget – Father’s Day is Sunday, 19th June 2022. For more inspiration, explore our Father’s Day gift guide. 

Gift Guide
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Design

Embrace Summer with Irish Linen

Natural fibre fabrics are central to our collections and this season is no exception with Irish Linen making up a large part of Spring Summer for both men and women. The ultimate versatile fabric, linen is synonymous with summer and perfect whether you’re relaxing on the beach or working in the city.   

“Linen is one of the oldest fabrics in the world and the history of weaving linen in Ireland goes back hundreds of years. It has many sustainable values as it uses considerably less water than cotton, for example, and will grow on poor land. Flax, the crop it is made from, is really versatile too because it is cultivated for yarn and food (this is where linseed comes from). We have been designing, weaving and finishing Irish Linen at our mill in Donegal since 1975, its cool, fresh properties make it perfect for our spring summer collections and it complements our Donegal Tweeds perfectly.”    

Patrick Temple, CEO Magee Weaving, 5th Generation Family Member and President of the Irish Linen Guild

We have been designing, weaving and tailoring luxurious fabrics and clothing in Donegal for five generations and over 150 years. This season we looked to the beaches, cliffs and piers that are dotted along the 1,000km of coastline of our home county for inspiration when designing the Spring Summer 2022 collection – ‘COAST’. The nautical theme is reflected in the choice of colours, naval and sea blues are contrasted in this collection with timeless, neutral shades of natural linen, greys and oat.  

Renewable and biodegradable, linen comes from an all-natural source, offering a rich, soft feeling that cannot be imitated by manmade fibres. It is also truly sustainable – requiring less water and land to grow than cotton, for example and it can be processed without chemicals. 

  

Alongside the pieces crafted in Irish Linen, designed, woven and finished at the our weaving mill in Donegal, this collection also features styles in Irish Linen from Baird McNutt, another long-established mill who design in the harbour village of Downings in County Donegal and weave in their historic mill in County Antrim. 

New to the women’s collection the Aoife is an unlined and unstructured jacket in a cheerful pink herringbone linen, and the Patty Irish Linen top in gingham complement favourites like the Tina drawstring trousers and Louise Grandfather collar shirt.

The Rebecca dress is a real showstopper, mid length in a nautical oat-grey with a chalky green and pale blue stripe, this shirt dress can be styled just as well with white trainers as it does with heeled sandals for a day out. 

Highlights in Irish Linen for men include the new Dingle four pocket jacket an unlined and unstructured style, perfect for layering when the sun goes down. Wardrobe staples the Kilbeg shirt and Straid drawstring trousers are available in a range of versatile colours and when styled with the coordinating Finn jacket in dark inky blue linen, make an ideal look for a special occasion.  

Linen can be divisive due to its tendency to crease, but for us this is one of its charms, a unique characteristic that we should embrace. The relaxed look of linen and its natural cooling properties make it the ideal choice for pieces we wear close to our skin like shirts and tops. 

 This collection is designed to maximise your summer and as always with Magee 1866, expect colours and textures that will transport you to a sandy shore, looking out at the wild Atlantic Ocean.⁠  

Shop Irish Linen Edit
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Donegal Tweed

European Commission Proposes Protected Status for Donegal Tweed 

The European Commission are proposing a framework to protect the intellectual property for craft and industrial products including Donegal Tweed. 

At Magee 1866, we are delighted to see the announcement from the EU Commission on the preliminary steps towards providing geographical protection for “craft and industrial products that rely on the originality and authenticity of traditional practices from their regions”. This framework will cover Donegal Tweed as well as products like Murano Glass and Porcelaine de Limoges and is similar to the protection offered to Champagne, Feta cheese and the Waterford Blaa under their “Protected Geographical indication” (PGI) status. 

Patrick Temple, 5th generation family member and CEO of Magee Weaving, has been active in this campaign, starting with initial submissions to the EU a decade ago. Since then, Patrick has been working closely with other weavers in Co. Donegal, with vital support from the Design & Crafts Council Ireland and marketing and business consultant Muiris Kennedy, to champion this cause. This will be of huge benefit to weavers in Co. Donegal and to the long-term brand protection of Donegal Tweed. 

“Europe has an exceptional legacy of world-renown crafts and industrial products. It is time that these producers benefit from a new intellectual property right, like food and wine producers, that will increase trust and visibility for their products, guaranteeing authenticity and reputation. Today’s initiative will contribute to the creation of skilled jobs especially for SMEs and to the development of tourism also in the more rural or economically weak areas.” 

EU Commissioner for Internal Markets, Thierry Breton 

 
Donegal Tweed is an iconic part of the counties’ centuries old weaving tradition and is unique as a woven fabric due to the contrasting colourful neps/bur spun into the yarn which is then woven in a plain or twill weave, otherwise known as Salt & Pepper or Herringbone, respectfully. Rooted in the land and seascapes of Donegal, the colours were historically drawn from our surroundings and the unique Herringbone pattern is inspired by the fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean or patterns in the sand after the tide goes out. The Salt & Pepper design is inspired by the speckled landscape of the countryside. 

Today, Donegal Tweed, as a vibrant, natural fibre and sustainable fabric, continues to form a principal part of our Magee 1866 collections. Our weaving mill in Donegal Town, on the banks of the River Eske, is still the beating heart of everything we do at Magee 1866. We are proud to support a tradition of weaving and manufacturing textiles in the northwest of Ireland, bringing a contemporary edge to an age-old craft. 

Explore Fabrics by the Metre
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Gift Ideas

Make Her Feel Special this Mother’s Day 

Mother’s Day is on Sunday the 27th of March, a special day to celebrate our mums and show them what they mean to us. 

One could make a case that we should be honouring our parents 365 days a year, there are no breaks from this most important role, but on this day, we make an extra effort for all the wonderful mothers out there. Maybe that’s with a handwritten card, breakfast in bed, cooking Sunday lunch, time together or time to herself!  

There are plenty of ways to let the mum in your life know how much you appreciate her. 

Our exclusive Mother’s Day gift sets see our lambswool scarves, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, paired with one of our luxury candles, handmade in Ireland for Magee 1866 in a natural wax blend and scented with the highest quality essential oils for a long lasting, luxury fragrance. Choose from calming lavender, fresh summer herbs or invigorating citrus. 

Or, explore our selection of accessories, home interiors and knitwear to find the perfect gift to show her how much you love her. 

Shop Gift Sets

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Design

Introducing Spring/Summer 2022

Introducing the Magee 1866 Spring/Summer 2022 Collection – COAST  

Inspired by over 1,000 kilometres of Donegal coastline, where we have been designing, weaving and tailoring luxurious fabrics for five generations. 

“Spring Summer 2022 was designed with hope in mind following the long months of a pandemic that has turned the world upside-down. While working on the collection we had taken time to watch spring slowly appearing following a winter of uncertainties. The idea of a fresh start and new life are the core elements in our colourful and optimistic collection for SS22.    

We have looked at how we have adapted over the last couple of years, especially what we are wearing. The emphasis on casual wear has accelerated and we have embraced this more relaxed, comfortable approach in this collection with Irish linen shirts and drawstring trousers, luxury cashmere jumpers, sweats and colourful cotton polos and t-shirts.  

However, we are looking forward to dressing up again! Our tailored collection includes classic lightweight tweeds and summer weight jackets, but with a focus on unstructured silk and linen blend jackets styled with lightweight cotton chinos and printed shirts.” 

Classic patterns sit beside bold and oversized checks in this collection with the colour pallet inspired by the sea and land. Sea blues, mossy greens, earthy oats, peaty browns are accented by the colours of local flora like gorse, fuchsia, blackberry, moss and montbretia that were historically used to create the colourful speckles synonymous with Donegal Tweeds. “

-Design Director, and 5th generation family member, Charlotte Temple reflects on the design process.  

Cheerful, bright colours of raspberry pink, sunset orange, naval and sea blues are contrasted in this collection with timeless, neutral shades of natural linen oat, sky grey, olive and forest greens. While the fabrics focus on natural fibres – silk, cotton, cashmere, linen, merino and lambswool, much of which is designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, Ireland.  

Women’s Collection

A new addition to the range of knitwear is a luxurious cotton cashmere blend in four styles This season sees a host of new additions to the women’s collection. The Aoife is a preppy, short unstructured jacket in a micro houndstooth silk and cotton blend tweed and is complemented by a beautiful range of luxurious lightweight cashmere knitwear. 

The Rebecca shirt dress is a standout piece, available in three colours ranging from calming pale blue Irish linen to a vibrant Liberty of London print. The Liberty of London pieces don’t end there, the new Patty top will add a burst of colour to your wardrobe and the easy to wear Tessa tunic will become your go-to top for trips to the beach. Women’s collection favourites like the Emma and Grace coats return in fresh, new lightweight tweeds, designed and woven at our mill. 

 

Men’s Collection

Ireland’s unpredictable weather is taken into account in the Men’s collection, the timeless Glenveigh quilted jacket is joined by a new style, the Dingle, a 4-pocket showerproof unstructured jacket, available in two colours.   

Familiar tailored styles like the Liffey Jacket are reimagined in a summery mix of linen and silk blends, woven in house, with a new addition, the Adare, a soft unstructured jacket that offers a comfortable, put together look. Making a triumphant return to the men’s collection after a long absence, men’s shorts, in cotton chino or linen, are accompanied by a selection of t-shirts, polos and the softest cotton sweatshirts.  

Irish Linen

Natural fibre fabrics are central to our collections and this season is no exception with Irish Linen making up a large part of Spring Summer for both men and women.

The ultimate versatile fabric, linen is synonymous with summer and perfect whether you’re relaxing on the beach or working in the city. Crafted in Irish Linen, woven and finished at the Magee weaving mill in Donegal, highlights include the Rowan overshirt for men, the Mourne boyfriend fit jacket for women, drawstring trousers for both and for the ultimate in summer chic, the Finn suit in a dark inky blue linen, perfect for a special occasion.  

This collection is designed to maximise your summer and as always, each quality piece is made with longevity in mind.  

Shop in store or online from February.

Photography: Suzy McCanny  

Videography: Ciarán Carty  

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Gift Ideas

For Keeps – Valentine’s Gifting with Magee 1866

An unabashed excuse to celebrate love, Valentine’s Day sets a romantic tone to the start of spring and is the perfect opportunity to spoil the one you love. 

Tokens of love and devotion, explore our top picks for Valentine’s gifts for your special someone. 

The Outdoorsy Type

The daily walkers, weekend wanderers and enthusiastic gardeners, if they’re outside more than in, keep them cosy with a 100% lambswool scarf, designed and woven at our mill in Donegal. 

Scarf in Cream & Red Houndstooth
Scarf in Navy and Camel Glen Check

   

The Indoorsy Type

For the fans of movie nights and boxset binging, evenings in are elevated with our selection of Donegal Tweed cushions, filled with luxurious duck-down. Pair with the Irish Wool Oversized Houndstooth Throw for the ultimate in comfort. Designed and woven at our mill in Donegal using wool sourced and spun on the island of Ireland, this is a truly sustainable home accessory.  

Irish Wool Oversized Houndstooth Throw in White & Red
Grey Herringbone Donegal Tweed Cushion

The Deep Thinker

If they are always doodling or making lists, the Donegal Tweed notebook is the perfect choice. Made in Ireland using tweeds designed at our mill, these unlined notebooks are available in a selection of colours and sizes, depending on the project.  

 

Donegal Tweed Notebook

The Lover of Luxury

Crafted at our mill in a super soft cashmere and wool blend, the pashmina is the most versatile accessory. Lightweight, yet warm, this is a piece they will reach for over and over again, no matter the season.

Irish Wool Oversized Houndstooth Throw in White & Red

The Scene-Setter

For the person passionate about their surroundings and curating a calming space, our selection of candles and diffusers are made in Ireland using the highest quality essential oils, in the most indulgent scents. 

Candles and Diffusers

The Ardent Fan

They won’t miss a match, if they can help it, or they’re always found at the finish line. Make sure they look the part with a classic Donegal Tweed cap. Choose from two styles – the flat cap or baker cap – in a range of tweeds, designed and woven at our mill. 

Donegal Tweed Caps

The One

If you are planning a wedding this year, book an appointment for our Made to Measure service in one of our three stores. Our tailoring experts are on hand to help you create the perfect look for your big day.  Gift Vouchers also available. 

Made to Measure

Of course, love is all you need, but a gift from Magee 1866 is welcome too! Visit our Valentine’s Gift Guide for more inspiration. 

Shop Gift Guide

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Family

Catching up at Christmas

As the end of the year approaches, Lynn, Charlotte, Patrick and Rosy Temple, the fourth and fifth generations at the helm of Magee 1866 discuss family, childhood memories and Christmas traditions. 
Charlotte, Rosy, Lynn and Patrick Temple

Being part of a family business that has been operating since the 19th century, there are a lot of stories to tell and memories to share. From the Spanish Flu to world wars and recessions, not to mention more recent events! We suppose when you have been in business for as long as we have, over 150 years, you will have seen a lot.  

A fond memory of growing up in the family business. 

Lynn Temple, family patriarch and Chairman: I have many happy memories of Magee but some of my happiest are visiting the handweavers in their homes around South-West Donegal. They would typify the very best of Donegal’s warmth of hospitality, great characters. I’m delighted we still continue this tradition of handweaving today.  

Charlotte Temple, Design Director: One of my earliest memories of Magee as a child were the Christmas parties, they were incredible events held in the canteen for all the children of staff. There was a huge net of balloons that used to be released when Santa Clause appeared through the door, it was magical. 

Rosy Temple, CEO Magee Clothing & Retail: My memory is a Christmas one too actually, I would go into the Magee of Donegal shop on the Diamond with dad and it was so exciting. We would end up in there for hours with dad insisting on wishing Happy Christmas to absolutely everybody! It was always a lovely way to start Christmas. 

Patrick, CEO of Magee Weaving: When Charlotte and I were small, every now and then we were allowed into the weaving to pick up some off-cuts, beautiful but flawed cloth that wasn’t suitable for its end result in fashion. So, we used to take the fabric and bring it home to build dens and tents to play in.  

The fifth generation of Magee 1866 – Rosy, Patrick and Charlotte Temple
Best thing about working with family. 

Patrick: One of the wonderful things about a family business is the atmosphere, less corporate and still, this gives a sense of togetherness and happiness throughout the organisation.  

Charlotte: For me the best part is that my siblings and father are always there. No matter day or night, if there’s a problem or you haven’t had such a good day, they’re always at the end of the phone.  

Rosy: After working in other companies, I don’t take for granted what a real privilege it is to have had the opportunity to join a family business.  For me, it’s just so great to be able to share so many experiences with family and to share a passion and pour our energies into something we really believe in. But I do have my boundaries, we can’t talk about weaving all day every day!  

Favourite Christmas family tradition 

Rosy: Christmas day swim. 

Charlotte: …followed by dad’s mulled wine with Cointreau!  

As we begin to wind down for the year and get ready to enjoy the festive break, as a family we would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you all the best for 2022. We will be continuing with long standing family traditions, including daily dips in the sea and the golden rule, no work chat at the Christmas dinner table! 

We hope you get the chance to share joy with the ones you love this year.  

From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy Christmas and new year.  

SHOP THE LOOKS
Josie Donegal Tweed Coat in Orange Herringbone

Clooney Donegal Tweed Cardigan Coat in Pewter & Vanilla Houndstooth
Tolka Jacket in Navy Twill
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Design

New In – Magee 1866 X Irish Wool Throws

A really exciting addition to our Home Interiors Collection, just in time for Christmas gifting, Irish Wool throws have arrived. 

A truly sustainable choice crafted in 100% Irish wool, this launch represents a milestone as the first home interiors pieces in the Magee 1866 X Irish Wool collection.   

At Magee 1866, we are committed to developing and using Irish Wool in our textiles. Over the past number of years, we have been working closely with Donegal Yarns, a local yarn supplier just up the road in Kilcar, and farmers to source finer wool from Irish sheep to re-ignite positivity around this fantastic and ‘local’ raw material. 

The wool is then spun by Donegal Yarns, ready to be woven into fabric at our mill in Donegal Town where we have been weaving for five generations and over 150 years.  

Designed, woven and finished at our mill in a contemporary oversized houndstooth pattern, the Irish Wool throw is available in two colours and finished with thick tasselled fringing. The perfect piece to showcase this unique fabric.  

This is a truly sustainable home accessory that is made with longevity in mind.

Shop Magee 1866 X Irish Wool throws.

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