The brand continues to combine a passion for Donegal with innovative Irish design. From its beginnings in Donegal Tweed and tailoring Magee 1866 has evolved into an Irish lifestyle brand that honours its heritage yet offers something timeless and modern for the next generation.
Inspired by the landscapes and culture of weaving in Donegal, Magee 1866 has been integral to the story of Donegal Tweed for over a century.
A Market for Tweed
1860s - 1900s
John Magee started his business by buying and selling hand-woven Donegal Tweed, he travelled to markets around Donegal to buy and sell fabric from the weavers who worked seasonally on the sea, land and loom.
He established Magee of Donegal in Donegal town. Later, he was joined by his cousin Robert Temple who served his time as an apprentice until he took over the business in 1900 and in true entrepreneurial spirit he opened a weaving mill along the banks of the River Eske.
Time for Tailoring
1930s - 1940s
In the 1930s Robert’s son Howard Temple joined the business and by the 1940s the Magee weaving business expanded to garment manufacturing and became known for creating classic tailoring which catered to this period of austerity. The Magee “Thornproof suit” for men became a popular piece in men’s wardrobes in the UK and Ireland and was widely known for its durability and quality.
A Fashion for Fabrics
1950s - 1960s
Ireland’s most celebrated fashion designers of the 20th century Irene Gilbert and Sybil Connolly put Donegal and Magee tweed on the map for the first time by including it in their collections - showcasing the colour and beauty of the fabric for a discerning international customer.
From Hand-Weaving to Power Looms
1970s - 2020s
In 1974 Howard’s son Lynn Temple joined the business and expanded into retail as well as introducing power-looms into the Magee weaving mill. The business focused on incorporating the Mill's fabric woven in Donegal into the Magee 1866 collections. By the late 1990s with a changing economic landscape in Ireland, Magee worked closely to develop trusted relationships with suppliers in Morocco, Turkey and Portugal to manufacture Magee 1866 garments. During the 2000s the fifth-generation came board starting with Charlotte Temple who joined as Creative Director and developed the men’s, women’s and lifestyle collections.
Five Generations
Today, the Temple family continues to lead the business with Chairman Lynn Temple, his daughters CEO Rosy Temple, Creative Director Charlotte Temple and son Patrick Temple CEO of the Magee Weaving mill. They continue to foster a strong sense of community, driving excellence in design across the Magee 1866 lifestyle collections & fabric collections woven in County Donegal, Ireland.
A Sustainable Future
At Magee 1866 and Magee Weaving we are committed not only to developing timeless clothing and fabric collections but to do so in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way possible; focusing on our core values which have been part of the brand’s DNA since the very beginning; creating made in Ireland fabrics and accessories in natural fibres, working with renewable resources and nurturing the people and community of Donegal.
Knowing who makes our clothes and where our raw materials come from is very important to us. The Magee Weaving Mill designs, weaves, and finishes fabric in Donegal which are included in Magee 1866 collections. We also collaborate with specialist mills in the UK and Italy. Our garments are designed in Donegal Town and manufactured with trusted partners in Europe, Morocco, Turkey, India. We are also proud of our growing Made in Ireland Collection, including throws, scarves, pashminas, and table linen, with We Make Good producing our table linen collections in Dublin.
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