List of products by brand Bonner of Ireland

Born in Ardara in 1976, Bonner of Ireland preserves Irish knitwear traditions with natural wools, family craftsmanship and production entirely based in Ireland.

Ardara, Donegal. Since 1976.

Ardara is an official Irish Heritage Town, designated for its centuries-old textile history, its master weavers and knitwear artisans whose skills have been passed down through generations. It is here, in this Donegal village set between the mountains and the Atlantic, that Bonner of Ireland was born in 1976. The setting could not have been more fitting.

A Beginning in a Hay Shed

Cornelius and Bernadette Bonner founded Bonner of Ireland in 1976 in the outbuildings of friends, a hay shed with an adjoining piggery, converted into a knitting workshop. A modest beginning, a clear vision: to honour the traditions of Irish knitwear by producing garments of exceptional quality. The first pieces were made for local markets, stitch by stitch.

Within a few years, this small family workshop had become a recognised name, first in Ireland, then internationally.

Passing It On

Cornelius Bonner passed away in 2008. His son Eamonn took over the running of the company, carrying his father's legacy with the same exacting standards and the same faithfulness to its roots. Today, the third generation is in turn involved in production, perpetuating what has always been at the heart of Bonner: the transmission of craft, a love of work done well, and a deep attachment to Donegal.

Some members of the team have been here for over thirty years, bringing a level of personal and constant attention that defines Bonner.

The Choice to Stay

Bonner of Ireland made the choice to remain in Ireland, investing in its craftspeople, its machinery and its community. This commitment, clearly held and openly stated, is what preserves the integrity of Irish knitwear as the brand has practised it for nearly fifty years.

The Materials

All the wools used by Bonner are natural and of the highest quality. The brand works with Donegal Yarns, a wool mill in Kilcar just a few kilometres from Ardara, to spin a large part of its yarn. This Kilcarra Tweed, 100% virgin wool, spun using traditional Irish methods, gives Bonner pieces their characteristic coloured flecks, the visual signature of Donegal tweed. It is complemented by British wool, merino and cashmere depending on the collection. The loop is almost complete: the yarn is born in Kilcar, the sweater is knitted in Ardara.

The colours come from the surrounding landscape. The greens of heather, the coastal greys, the soft browns of Donegal's misty moorlands: each palette is a direct translation of what can be seen through the workshop windows.

Traditional Craft and Contemporary Techniques

Bonner of Ireland combines modern electronic knitting with traditional Irish techniques. This marriage of technological precision and artisanal soul allows the brand to produce for international fashion houses while remaining deeply rooted in its Donegal heritage. Every piece begins and ends in Ardara.

A World-Wide Reputation

Bonner collections are sold through the world's leading fashion houses. The brand manufactures for international names who trust it to produce under their own label. That is the most direct form of recognition there is.

Ardara, Donegal. Made in Ireland. Since 1976.