Three designers from Donegal have been named as finalists in the Irish Made Awards – the annual competition highlighting the best creative businesses and makers across the country.

The Irish Made Awards by Irish Country Magazine shines a light on the talented people behind Irish design, craft and business.

And three creative entrepreneurs from Donegal’s world of design and fashion are in the running for awards this year.

Bernie Murphy is shortlisted in the Fashion category. Bernie, who is from Buncrana, crafts beautiful clothing from Donegal tweed and yarns. Inspired by Donegal’s landscape, she sources material from her homelands to achieve heritage style with a contemporary twist.

Designer Bernie Murphy at Define Donegal fashion showcase in Convoy Woolen Mills, June 2019

Bernie Murphy ID at Define Donegal in Convoy Woollen Mills

Eilis Galbraith is a finalist in the Home category of Irish Made. Eilis is a Buncrana-based designer and illustrator who specialises in printed textiles – designing and repeating patterns which are digitally printed for use on products including soft home furnishings such as curtains, lampshades and cushions. She is inspired by country living and primarily uses 100% Donegal linen for her homeware products.

Eilis Galbraith

Eilis Galbraith designs

Handweaver Valerie Taylor is shortlisted for an Accessories award. An LYIT Fashion with Promotion graduate, she creates unique handbags from McNutt herringbone and tweeds from Donegal and the her linings are Baird Mc Nutt’s Irish linen from Ballymena. Valerie focuses on sustainable design and is inspired by the colour palette of Donegal.

Valerie Taylor

Voting is now open in the Irish Made Awards and you can cast yours here: https://irishcountrymagazine.ie/vote-irish-made-awards-2019/

The winners will be revealed at a special event in September. Each of the ten category winners will feature in a special issue of Irish Country Magazine and receive a once-in-lifetime prize from Kilkenny Shop.

The Overall Winner will have an opportunity to attend Showcase 2020 in the RDS thanks to the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and receive an advertising package from Irish Country Magazine.