Donegal Clothing

Making Donegal Tweed

Sepia images of a weaver at his loom in Co. Donegal, and a tweed inspector examining the finished product.

Magee & Co., Donegal.

Making Donegal Tweed
Magee & Co., Donegal.

Making Donegal Tweed

Sepia images of a weaver at his loom in Co. Donegal, and a tweed inspector examining the finished product.

Magee & Co., Donegal.

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Donegal is world famous for its homespun tweeds and linens. Tweed, made from spun wool, was especially popular in Donegal, due to the wetter climate in the northwest.


The beauty of Donegal tweed is that the natural oil from the wool is retained in the weaving, making garments both waterproof and warm.


The addition of easy-care yarns like polyester and cotton have made these items more wearable and easy to care for. Donegal tweed is still popular among locals and visitors alike.

Curragh and Fisherman, Loughros, Co. Donegal

Black-and-white 'platinatone' image of a traditional fisherman on the shore at Loughros, southwest Donegal. He is standing inside an upturned curragh (an Irish form of coracle) and is dressed in the traditional fisherman’s clothing of the late 1880s. He is wearing heavy 'bainin' trousers tucked into boots, a heavy sweater under a dark vest and a brimmed hat.

Central Library, Letterkenny.

Curragh and Fisherman, Loughros, Co. Donegal
Central Library, Letterkenny.

Curragh and Fisherman, Loughros, Co. Donegal

Black-and-white 'platinatone' image of a traditional fisherman on the shore at Loughros, southwest Donegal. He is standing inside an upturned curragh (an Irish form of coracle) and is dressed in the traditional fisherman’s clothing of the late 1880s. He is wearing heavy 'bainin' trousers tucked into boots, a heavy sweater under a dark vest and a brimmed hat.

Central Library, Letterkenny.

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A Fisherman in his Working Clothes

Photograph of a fisherman aboard the vessel La Morna. He is wearing yellow, waterproof bib overalls over a heavy polo-neck woolen sweater.

The Irish Skipper

A Fisherman in his Working Clothes
The Irish Skipper

A Fisherman in his Working Clothes

Photograph of a fisherman aboard the vessel La Morna. He is wearing yellow, waterproof bib overalls over a heavy polo-neck woolen sweater.

The Irish Skipper

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The seafaring nature of a Donegal fisherman's job requires him to dress accordingly.




The photograph to the left shows a fisherman carrying his currach in the late nineteenth century in Donegal. He is dressed in clothes typical of an Irish fisherman of that period.




'Oilskins' made from modern fabrics have replaced the fisherman's woollen 'bainin' trouser. Bainin is the natural cream colour of a sheep's coat.




The photograph to the right shows a typical modern-day fisherman in his working clothes.




Although high-tech fabrics have dramatically changed the appearance of a typical fisherman's outfit, tradition dictates that some still wear the Aran sweaters.

Construction Workers in Gweedore, 1971

Photograph of construction workers who built the chapel in Gweedore, Co. Donegal in 1971. The men are of varying ages and dressed casually in different styles of clothing. Most are wearing sweaters or vests. Some are wearing old suit jackets over shirts, flat caps, and boots or wellingtons.

Stranorlar Parish Magazine committee.

Construction Workers in Gweedore, 1971
Stranorlar Parish Magazine committee.

Construction Workers in Gweedore, 1971

Photograph of construction workers who built the chapel in Gweedore, Co. Donegal in 1971. The men are of varying ages and dressed casually in different styles of clothing. Most are wearing sweaters or vests. Some are wearing old suit jackets over shirts, flat caps, and boots or wellingtons.

Stranorlar Parish Magazine committee.

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Workman's Clothing in 2006

Colour photograph of a construction worker. He is wearing a red zip-up coverall a blue safety helmet. Under modern health and safety rules, all construction workers must wear protective clothing and safety helmets on sites.

Plan Magazines, Ltd.

Workman's Clothing in 2006
Plan Magazines, Ltd.

Workman's Clothing in 2006

Colour photograph of a construction worker. He is wearing a red zip-up coverall a blue safety helmet. Under modern health and safety rules, all construction workers must wear protective clothing and safety helmets on sites.

Plan Magazines, Ltd.

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Construction workers once wore old suit jackets, wellingtons and everyday clothes to building sites. The photo to the left shows the group of construction workers who built the chapel in Gweedore, Co. Donegal in 1971.


 

With advances in technology, including heavy machinery and building supplies made from chemicals, building sites have become more dangerous places to work. Therefore, builders today have a stricter uniform. Modern safety regulations mean that they must wear high-visibility jackets, coveralls, hard helmets and reinforced footwear.