Innovative designer and businessman Kevin Donaghy of Studio Donegal Kilcar has passed away, aged 93.
An icon of Donegal’s hand-weaving tradition, Kevin and his wife Wendy took over Studio Donegal in the 1980s and transformed the company into the success story it is today.
Studio Donegal was established in 1979 at the woollen mill formerly owned by Connemara Fabrics.
Kevin Donaghy, a native of Offaly, was engaged to manage and develop the hand-weaving mill. When a downturn threatened to close the parent company in the 1980s, Kevin and Wendy bought Studio Donegal to preserve the tradition of hand weaving in Kilcar.
They leased the old buildings and purchased the hand looms, and armed with courage and determination, set about achieving their goals.
Studio Donegal, Kilcar
With a focus on creative design and branding, they developed a world-renowned family enterprise. Following their retirement, Kevin and Wendy passed the business on to their son, Tristan and his wife Anne.
Studio Donegal has established itself in a niche market of supplying boutique hotels and apartment chains in the UK, Europe and Japan with handwoven bed covers, blankets and cushions, all made in Donegal.
Announcing Kevin’s passing today, a tribute from Studio Donegal said: “Kevin was passionate about arts and crafts, but textiles held a special place in his heart. The preservation of the craft of hand weaving was his life goal. Studio Donegal was his dream and he poured his energy into making it a success.
“He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of textiles and could be relied on to provide valuable nuggets of information long after his retirement. He maintained a keen interest in the goings on in Studio Donegal right up to the end.”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Funeral details to be confirmed.
