WHAT IS MAGEE TWEED?

Magee 1866 combines Irish tradition with modern design.

Hand guiding warp threads on a loom in a mill, close-up – John Crocket

Hands tying pale warp threads on a loom at Magee – John Crocket

Magee is particularly known for its bright, colourful tweeds. These now include not only heavy, traditional cloths but also modern, more refined textures. They are suitable for elegant coats as well as contemporary jackets, waistcoats and accessories. At John Crocket, Magee Tweed is used in men's tweed jackets and waistcoats.

Hands guiding dark blue warp threads through the healds of a loom at Magee – John Crocket

Rolls of Magee Donegal tweed: brown herringbone, and blue and rosé with coloured flecks – John Crocket

Green hills in Donegal with a white cottage and old stone ruins – John Crocket

THE MAGEE TWEED STORY

The Magee story began in the 1860s, when John Magee first offered his handwoven tweeds at the market in Ardara in County Donegal. Donegal Tweed is a pure new wool cloth known for its sometimes coarse textures, such as salt-and-pepper or herringbone. Magee takes its inspiration from the rugged coastline and landscapes of County Donegal. This fabric is still the mainstay of Magee Weaving today. Over the course of the 20th century, Magee moved from hand looms to fully automated looms.

Historic black and white photograph of the “Magee of Donegal” building with cars parked in front – John Crocket

John Magee founded Magee of Donegal in Donegal Town. His cousin Robert Temple served his apprenticeship there and took over the business in 1900. The firm set up its own weaving mill on the River Eske. Robert's son Howard Temple joined in the 1930s, and in the 1940s Magee expanded beyond weaving into clothing manufacture. Howard's son Lynn Temple joined the company in 1974 and built up the retail side. The fifth generation has been involved since the 2000s, and today the Temple family runs the business.