1866
John Magee starts a business in Donegal buying and selling Hand-woven Donegal Tweed. He travels to local markets like Ardara and Carrick to buy and sell the fabric from the part-time weavers, part-time fishermen/farmers.
Our History
1881
John Magee opens a drapers shop in Donegal Town.
1887
Robert Temple joined the company as an apprentice, after impressing his cousin John Magee with his salesman skills, when he overheard him selling 3 woodcock to a hotelier in Ballybofey.
1901
Robert Temple becomes part owner in the Magee business in Donegal.
1910
He buys the business from John Magee. He strikes a deal with specific weavers to weave solely for him and work on his designs.
1914-1918
The First World War creates a boom in the Irish woollen industry with the demand for the warm, hardwearing and course fabrics – ideal for uniforms.
1918
The quality of the woollen fabrics fell during the war due to the high demand. Robert Temple overcame this by opening a factory on the current site, beside the River Eske. He employed weavers to work in-house, were he could control designs and quality.
1921
Ireland was partitioned and Customs were introduced, Robert Temple overcame this commercial barrier by setting up a warehouse in Belfast. Magee tweed was now being sold widely throughout England and Ireland.
1931
Howard Temple, Robert’s son joined the company aged 17.
1945
The Second World War ended and the once lucrative bespoke tailoring trade started to decline, due to the rapidly increasing production of the ready-to-wear suit and jacket. The Magee ‘tweed business’ expanded to garment manufacturing in Belfast. The Magee USP was to create interesting, colourful garments, which stood out against the rise in the ‘grey de-mob’ suit.
1960
The clothing factory in Donegal was established in 1966 to augment production from Belfast.
1961
Sybil Connolly and Irene Gilbert, two world renowned Irish designers put Donegal tweed on the fashion map, by incorporating the fabric in their women’s wear collections.
1962
Magee designed and wove the green tweed for the Aer Lingus uniforms.
1974
Lynn Temple, Howard’s son, joined Magee and is currently Chairman.
1977
Power looms were introduced in Donegal. This allowed Magee to improve efficiency and develop more intricate designs to compete with the international market.
1992
Magee sponsored the Donegal senior football team in 1992 when they won the All-Ireland Championships.
1997
Magee opened a concession in Arnotts Department Store, Dublin.
1998
Magee women’s wear is launched.
2003
Magee opened a small store on Wicklow St. Dublin.
2004
Irish rugby team sponsorship.
2005
Munster rugby team sponsorship.
2006
Gordon Darcy and Sean O’Hailpin became brand ambassadors for Magee.
2007
The Irish cricket and show-jumping team sponsorship.
2008
Charlotte Temple joined the business and oversees the retail development and clothing collections.
2009
Verinque Branquinho and the Donegal tweed Porsche.
2012
Magee launched their accessory collection.
2013
Paddy Temple joins the business and oversees the clothing wholesale business and suppliers.
2015
Robert Noble, a Scottish mill established in 1666 is bought. Robert Noble specialises in luxury menswear fabrics.
2016
150 years celebrations. The Magee flagship store is opened on South Anne Street, Dublin.
2018
Rosy Temple joins the business and oversees the sales & marketing department.
