Tributes paid following death of leading light in Donegal tweed, Kevin Donaghy

Tributes have been pouring in following the death of Kevin Donaghy who dedicated his life to preserving and developing the craft of handwoven tweed.

Kevin, late of Darney, Bruckless, is survived by his wife, Wendy, children Natasha (Alex), Tristan (Anne), Marcus (Anne), Meriel (Bill), and grandchildren, extended family, relatives and friends.

His remains have been donated for medical research. A celebration of Kevin’s life will take place in St John's Church, Killybegs on Friday, February 2., at 12noon.

Studio Donegal which was previously run by Kevin and his wife Wendy, issued a statement sharing news of Kevin's passing on Monday and paying tribute to him. 

"We have some sad news to share today," said the spokesperson for Studio Donegal. "Kevin died peacefully early this morning.

"Kevin’s life was a life lived in textiles. As a young man he studied woollen and worsted spinning in Bradford Tech, becoming a textile technologist.

"He worked for over 30 years for Salts Ireland before coming to Donegal. Pivotal to the establishment of Studio Donegal in 1979, he and Wendy bought the operation from the parent company when it was in danger of closing in the mid 1980s.

"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."

Studio Donegal is now run by Kevin and Wendy's son Tristan, and is synonymous with Donegal handwoven tweed. 

Many people have added their own tributes in response to that of Studio Donegal.

Here is a flavour of how Kevin will be remembered by those within the industry, by Studio Donegal's customers and by his many friends in south west Donegal:

"So sorry to hear this news a gentleman thinking of all the family and staff in studio Donegal. RIP Kevin." - Eleanor Hanna

"Very sad to hear of Kevin’s passing, may he rest in peace. Not only was Kevin an inspirational man of cloth, he was also an intrepid sailor and a wonderful friend for as long as we Nolan’s can remember." - Stephen Nolan

"I spent many an interesting hour chatting with Kevin when I had my office next door. Not only a gentleman, but someone for whom time meant little when engaged in intelligent discourse, and every conversation with him was too short." - Keith Sherry

"So sorry to hear this sad news. Everyone in wool appreciated Kevin. I worked along side him at many trade fairs and can say he was one of life’s gentlemen. My sincere condolences to Wendy, Tristan and family on their enormous loss. Suaimhneas siorai Kevin." - Noel Carr