Our Heritage Story
My Family Heritage
My passion for textiles runs deep, rooted in a family legacy within the industry. As a third-generation designer, I draw inspiration from my great-grandfather, Rodger O’Kane, who was the Managing Director and Head Designer at Derry’s renowned Wilkinson’s Shirt Factory. In 1930, Rodger designed a reversible buttonhole shirt that was mass-produced and supplied to soldiers in the Canadian Navy and British Army during World War II, earning him the title of “master of his craft.” My grandfather, Michael Cregan, honed his skills at Burtons on Saville Row in London before returning to Derry in the 1940s to work alongside Rodger at Wilkinson’s. Later, he pursued his own dreams and launched a brand of woven ties in 1954.
This rich heritage of craftsmanship and design is woven into the fabric of my work at Elsie Tweed, fuelling my passion for creating beautiful, quality pieces.
Image of wages book from Wilkinsons Shirt factory and one of Grandads woven ties he made.
Greencastle Golf Club Tweed
One of our most recent projects was designing a bespoke tweed for Greencastle Golf Club Pro Shop, located along the stunning Wild Atlantic Way. Inspired by the beauty of the course, the design features a circular pattern reminiscent of golf balls, with a color palette that reflects the surrounding landscapes—navy and light blue for the water, various greens for the fairways, and a hint of white for the flag.
Client Feedback:
Randox Health Dundarave Estate, Bushmills
One most memorable project was for Dundarave Estate, the stunning property owned by the Fitzgerald family in Bushmills. We created a custom family tweed inspired by the pheasant, reflecting the beauty and heritage of the estate. This bespoke design was woven and handmade into a variety of products, from made-to-measure gamekeeper suits to ties, cushions, and even dear stalker hats.
The Fitzgerald family, known for their success and prestigious background as the owners of Randox Health, trusted Elsie Tweed to bring their vision to life—showing that no matter the size of the business, we can craft something truly unique.
