THE story of Donegal Tweed and its connections with Scotland and Scottish Tweed took centre stage at a special event in Edinburgh hosted by the Irish Consulate Service in association with Donegal County Council.
Over 100 people attended the event that aimed to celebrate the long standing connections between Ireland and Scotland.
The event took place in Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, a space dedicated to the promotion of textiles in the city.
It marked a further step in the development of a strong collaboration between Donegal Tweed and Harris Tweed.
The event was also supported by Donegal ETB, Donegal Local Enterprise Office, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Harris Tweed Authority and Donegal Tweed Association.
Tweed, knitwear and wool are a shared interest between Ireland and Scotland and the event aimed to build stronger working relations between Donegal and Scottish organisations as well as providing an opportunity for key figures in the Donegal Diaspora Scottish Network to come together in person for the first time since the Covid pandemic to discuss other common initiatives.
The evening began with a musical performance from the immensely talented Friel Sisters and Alyth McCormack who also acted as MC for the evening discussions.
The audience were also treated to a demonstration from master weaver John Heena who travelled, with his loom, from Donegal for the event.
The panel discussion followed and consisted of Lorna Macaulay from the Harris Tweed Authority, Patrick Temple, CEO of Magees 1866, Kieran Molloy, Director of Molloy and Sons and Donnchadh O’Baoill of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
The discussion examined common history, culture and global success of Harris and Donegal Tweed as well as considering the future of the industry, the move to Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status as well as the timeless style and versatility of tweed as an innovative and sustainable product.
Consul General of Ireland in Scotland Jerry O’Donovan referred to the strong and ancient ties which connect Ireland and Scotland and particularly with County Donegal.
“The increasing level of economic growth and collaboration between the Scotland and Ireland is underpinned by our shared heritage and history, driven by the movements of people across the Irish Sea over thousands of years,” he said.
“This event highlights that the developing relationship between Donegal and Harris Tweed is not only an economic collaboration, but an effort to support the people and culture of our rural and island communities by working together to develop solutions to challenges faced by both Donegal and the Western Isles in Scotland.”
The evening’s formal proceedings closed with an address from the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Martin Harley saying: “We are one community separated by the Irish Sea but connected by our shared identity, culture, community history, crafts and family ties. I hope that this is the first of many joint Donegal / Scotland focused initiatives and collaborations”.
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