From Donegal with Love: The Molloy & Sons Story - With Kieran Molloy (#158)

This week on Garmology, we’re off to the wild west coast of Ireland — to the home of Donegal tweed.

Sixth-generation weaver Kieran Molloy joins us from Ardara, County Donegal, to talk about family legacy, the craft of weaving, and what it takes to keep a centuries-old tradition alive in the modern world. From looms beside the family home to a 1920s showroom on Fifth Avenue, the Molloy story is one of resilience, artistry, and an enduring love for colour and texture.

We talk about the history and future of Donegal tweed, the fight to protect its name (like Champagne or Parma ham!), the challenges of staying natural in a synthetic world, and what it’s really like to run a small mill on the edge of the Atlantic — exporting to Japan, New York, and beyond.

It’s a warm, funny, and deeply fascinating conversation about craft, identity, and why some fabrics carry the soul of a place.

You can find Molloy and Sons on the web at molloyandsons.com

and on Instagram as @molloyandsons

This episode is also available on YouTube.

🎧 Garmology – a podcast about clothes, and the deeper stories behind them.

Garmology is by Nick Johannessen. There is no advertising or sponsorship, but you are welcome to support the podcast via my Patreon at patreon.com/garmology or you can  buymeacoffee.com/garmology

Nick Johannessen is also the editor of the WellDressedDad blog and WellDressedDad on Instagram. You can email Nick as Garmology (at) WellDressedDad.com.

Garmology theme music by Fabian Stordalen.