In 1950 Joy and Alan Hemmings came to Donegal on a honeymoon hiking holiday. Following a chance meeting with Cannon T. Molloy when the perils of the Donegal weaving industry were discussed, they were cajoled into returning the following year to start a business, encouraged of course by an interest-free loan of £500 and a place to live.
Joy at the age of 20 had an Arts degree and Alan at 25 had a Textile Technology degree. During the course of the next 7 years working in very primitive conditions (even for that time) they managed to build a business and start a family of 3 boys.
Here at Donegal Design, we have been handcrafting natural fabrics for over sixty years, creating a unique blend of mohair and pure new wool, creating fabrics that are truly unique to Donegal Design. The business now sells wholly Irish sourced, designed and manufactured woollen clothing throughout Ireland and around the world.