The last of the master weavers: 'Years gone by, a woman wouldn't have been allowed at the loom - the old boys wouldn't have heard of it'

"Only a few years ago, hand-weaving in Donegal was at death's door. There was only a handful of master weavers left - all men in their 70s and 80s."

"In the space of a few years, those fortunes have turned around, with young handweavers now employed at both Magee 1866 in Donegal Town and Studio Donegal in Kilcar."

The traditional craft of tweed making in Donegal was facing decline, with only a few aging master weavers remaining. However, recent years have seen a revitalization as younger artisans embrace the craft, bringing new styles to the age-old practice. These young weavers are now employed at notable establishments like Magee 1866 and Studio Donegal, as well as pursuing independent projects, suggesting a promising future for this historic yet evolving tradition.

Read at Independent