From Donegal to international fashion runways: How Kilcar is powering luxury brands

Údarás na Gaeltachta is supporting innovation in the Gaeltacht textile industry with €158,495 Investment Package for Snáth Dún na nGall Ltd.

When many leading fashion houses are sourcing premium yarns, Donegal Yarns, based in Kilcar, is on their list of suppliers. And thanks to Údarás na Gaeltachta's continued investment, this remarkable Irish success story is going from strength to strength.

In a story that reads like a modern Irish fairy tale, Snáth Dún na nGall Ltd, Ireland's largest remaining woollen mill tucked away in the Gaeltacht heartland of Kilcar, has secured a €158,495 investment package which includes a €53,915 Innovation Digital Process Grant from Údarás na Gaeltachta.

READ NEXT: '2,200 jobs are on the line in fishing, processing, transport and services sectors’

Snáth Dún na nGall Ltd, which has been located in Kilcar since 2006, is a leading manufacturer of woollen spun yarns in Ireland, producing the famous "Donegal fleck" yarn. It is the largest woollen mill in Ireland, with only a few remaining spinning mills in the country.

Snáth Dún na nGall has developed a strong international client base, supplying famous fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Thom Browne, Moncler and J Crew to name a few. Locally, they supply products to companies such as Bhá Dhún na nGall Teo, Darni Ceard Teo, Rathlin Knitwear, Rossan Knitwear, Molloy & Sons and Magee Weaving.

Chris Weiniger, General Manager of Snáth Dún na nGall said: "With technology advancements in the industry there is both modern equipment available and the opportunity to upgrade and retrofit existing machinery in terms of improvement in efficiency and quality control through digital controls. We recognise that it is essential to invest in the company's manufacturing process with modern equipment and digital systems for the future."

This investment package will enable the company to upgrade their manufacturing processes and improve their efficiency, which will ensure they can continue as a leader in the textile industry in Ireland.

This investment demonstrates Údarás na Gaeltachta's continued commitment to supporting Gaeltacht entrepreneurs and creating and maintaining significant jobs in the Gaeltacht area.

*****

Nuair a bhíonn tithe móra faisin an domhain ag lorg na snátha is fearr, bíonn Snáth Dún na nGall Teo i gCill Charthaigh i gContae Dhún na nGall ar a liosta. Agus le cabhair ó Údarás na Gaeltachta, tá an scéal Éireannach iontach seo ag dul i bhfeabhas i gcónaí.

Tá pacáiste infheistíochta €158,495 bronnta ar Snáth Dún na nGall Teo, an mhuileann olna is mó atá fágtha in Éirinn, atá suite i gcroílár na Gaeltachta i gCill Charthaigh.

Tá Snáth Dún na nGall Teo lonnaithe i gCill Charthaigh ó 2006, agus is iad an príomhdhéantóir snátha olna sníofa in Éirinn. Déanann siad an snáth aitheanta "Donegal Fleck". Is é seo an mhuileann olna is mó sa tír, agus níl mórán muilte sníofa fágtha sa tír.

Tá custaiméirí idirnáisiúnta láidre ag Snáth Dún na nGall anois, agus tá siad ag soláthar do bhrandaí móra cosúil le Louis Vuitton, Thom Browne, Moncler agus J Crew. Tugann siad earraí do chomhlachtaí áitiúla freisin ar nós Bá Dhún na nGall Teo, Darni Ceard Teo, Rathlin Knitwear, Rossan Knitwear, Molloy & Sons agus Magee Weaving.

Dúirt Chris Weiniger, Bainisteoir Ginearálta Snáth Dún na nGall: "Leis an teicneolaíocht nua sa tionscal, tá trealamh nua-aimseartha le fáil agus is féidir linn na meaisíní atá againn a fheabhsú le córais dhigiteacha. Feabhsóidh sé seo an éifeachtúlacht agus an caighdeán. Tuigimid go gcaithfimid infheistíocht a dhéanamh san trealamh agus sna córais dhigiteacha nua-aimseartha má tá muid le leanúint ar aghaidh."

Cuirfidh an infheistíocht seo ar a gcumas a gcuid oibre a fheabhsú agus a bheith níos éifeachtaí, agus cinnteoidh sé sin go mbeidh siad ar cheann de na comhlachtaí is fearr i dtionscal na teicstílí in Éirinn.

Léiríonn an infheistíocht seo an tacaíocht leanúnach atá á tabhairt ag Údarás na Gaeltachta d'fhiontraithe na Gaeltachta agus don chur chun cinn fostaíochta thábhachtach sa cheantar.