#MadeLocal - Ireland's Eye Knitwear
In our third installment of #designerspotlight this month we wanted to talk about Ireland's Eye Knitwear, who are based here in Dublin. With The Design & Crafts Council of Ireland launching the wonderful #madelocal campaign last month promoting Irish made home grown products, this gives us all the chance to own something that is genuinely #madelocal.
It's something we have always promoted in our shop and we are delighted to be a part of this campaign in such an uncertain time for our industry. Buying #irishmade products keeps a long line of jobs in Ireland.
This brings us to Ireland's Eye Knitwear, a family owned company that have been making beautiful knitwear in North County Dublin for over 30 years.
Brothers Paul & Brendan O'Sullivan inspired by their father knitting Aran Sweaters for the family have grown a company that exports its products world wide and throughout shops in Ireland.
Kate O'Sullivan is the third generation bringing her own style and knowledge to the family business.
They have kept to tradition making beautiful #Aran Sweaters in a contemporary style using soft and ultra soft Merino wools. Our personal favourite is the Aran Lattice Collar.
The company get their inspiration from their beautiful surroundings of Howth & Baldoyle and the tiny uninhabited island of Ireland's Eye, which drives the waves over Claremont Beach in the village of Howth.
Having stocked Ireland's Eye for 25 years we have gotten to know the O'Sullivan family and their staff who are always a pleasure to deal with, great fun and their products sell themselves. We love to tell customers their sweaters are made here in Dublin.
One word that sums up the brand for us is style. They have it in abundance; from their unique designs to the final hand finished products. As well as their beautiful annual catalogue, which is always shot in Dublin, and their innovative displays at Showcase Ireland year in year out.
When Covid-19 hit and the factory in Baldoyle closed the company pivoted their business using their machines and skills to make face masks for the large amount of nursing homes in the area. There was such a strong reaction #Faceit was born: a business in itself selling Irish made masks online. Check it out on Facebook.
That's what we call community!
https://www.thedonegalshop.com/collections/womens-knitwear/products/aran-lattice-collar-sweater