YOU’VE heard of the Harry Gordon ‘Dylan’ dress? Well, move over, Bob, there’s a new kid in town!
Graphic Designer and Illustrator Mirren McFeely, hailing from Letterkenny, has captivated audiences with her final year residency collection.
‘Greetings from Donegal’ was showcased at the Ulster University School of Art, Belfast, recently. A celebration of personal heritage, creativity, and local pride, the collection is both a visual love letter to her hometown and county and a vibrant exploration of design inspired by memory and place.
One of the standout pieces is the ‘Daniel’ dress, which honours Donegal’s most beloved icon, Daniel O’ Donnell, ‘The King of Donegal’.
Letterkenny designer Mirren McFeely
“This is my Donegal,” says Mirren. “A place of warmth, humour and creative possibility.
“Each piece is a visual love letter to the people and places that shaped me.”
The collection draws deeply from Mirren’s upbringing, reimagining Donegal not as a remote location, but as a rich and lively cultural centre.
Each creation represents a personal memory, digitally transformed onto fabric. From the ‘Cottage Bar’ jumper, honouring local nightlife, to the ‘I Heart Donegal’ and playful ‘Suckin’ Diesel’ tees – a loving and humorous nod to Donegal pride and everyday sayings, to the Malin Head skirt, a loving tribute to Ireland’s most northerly point, rich with family memories, every wearable story reflects local identity with warmth and wit.
Mirren and her twin sister, Brodie, co-founded their design brand, Cúpla Designs and have had their work featured in Image.ie online.
Brodie contributed intricate hand-knit work to the collection with the ‘Cottage Bar’ jumper.
This project is a culmination of Mirren’s creative journey, blending storytelling, digital design, and textile innovation. With deep sentiment and bold expression, ‘Greetings from Donegal’ resonates a heartfelt tribute to home, heritage and the enduring power of place.
Anyone wanting to follow their work can do so on Instagram at @mirrendoesart and @cupla_designs.
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)