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Having just watched the Netflix documentary Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy, I feel a bit sick. The global frenzy of over-consumption (and concurrent waste mountain) it portrays is grim. So this year, more than ever, I am determined to shop local, and support as many Irish-owned businesses that sell genuine quality goods. To be able to give gifts that people will love, but ones that will also last.
With that in mind, I was thrilled, on a recent trip to Cork, to discover the perfect gift for my teenage daughter. A McWilliam bag, personalised with her name on it, which comes in a range of contemporary, cool colourways… and is guaranteed to last at least 40 years. She may even have left home by then – hopefully with her McWilliam bag still on her back!
Super sustainable
At McWilliam Bags, sustainability is at the heart of the brand’s craftsmanship. They create high-quality, durable bags using eco-friendly materials, to include 40-60% green PVC, and are aiming to transition to recycled Brio material. Each and every McWilliam bag is handcrafted locally, in the factory in Crosshaven, in Co Cork. The company is proud to support ethical production and embraces slow fashion principles, encouraging thoughtful purchases for a greener future. With every McWilliam bag, you are making an active choice to support quality and sustainability.
Made to last
The quality of the materials used in the production and the craftsmanship of the work – right down to the skill of the craftspeople who stitch each bag together, on site in Crosshaven, combined with the love that the team put into each and every pieces means that every McWilliam bag is built to stand the test of time.
Cool personalisation
Every McWilliam bag is 100% customisable. Customers can choose from 11 base bag materials, and then choose between 11 different colour straps. As a final touch, you can then add a name to be embroidered on the bag; with a variety of fonts and thread colours to choose from here also. Endless customisation options make the bag truly unique and a very thoughtful gift.
“McWilliam was established originally in the 1970s, by Des and John McWilliam,” Claire explains. “They started out as a sail making company, making sails for yachts. But as avid sailors themselves, they also saw the need for a water-resistant bag for sailors; a bag sailors could throw in the bottom of the boat, but one durable enough to keep their kit dry and safe.”
A bit of experimentation later and the McWilliam sailing bag was born, originally made out of actual sail cloth. The bag quickly became the go-to for sailors in Ireland; and the enterprise ticked along nicely as a side business to the sailmaking business.
“In the 1990s, I was living and working (in banking) in Hong Kong,” continues Claire, “When I met an Irish sailmaker (working with McWilliam Sailmakers) from Cork. We met at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.”
Fast-forward to 2017, Claire and Barry are married and Des announces that he is looking to sell the company.
“We jumped at the opportunity, moved to Cork, and have never looked back!”
Today Claire and Barry live and work in Crosshaven, where Barry focuses on the sailmaking part of the company, and Claire is developing the ever-expanding bag arm of the company. Under Claire’s direction, and with the creative input of Tim at Faction Collective, the bags have undergone a significant rebrand and are now in demand far beyond the sailing circles.
“Being a small independently owned business means everything to us,” states Claire. “We are based in the small community of Crosshaven. Our employees all live within a few miles of the shop, and we support our local community at every level – I volunteer with the RNLI as a trainee helm, and another of our staff volunteers with the fire brigade.
“Crosshaven is just such a lovely village – with the oldest yacht club in the world just on our doorstep; it’s a thriving community with small businesses that support each other. We’re proud to be based in Crosshaven and have such lovely views of the spectacular Cork Harbour from our windows as we work.”
Discover McWilliam Bags today and find your perfect piece of enduring style.