Ireland Fashion Week Brings Heritage Designs to Slane Castle and Dublin
Ireland Fashion Week expanded its second edition across locations including Slane Castle, drawing international supermodels and regional design talent to highlight traditional Irish textiles on the runway. Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha made her first visit to the country for the event, walking in shows and describing the national fashion platform as something that should have happened years ago. Founded by Ashley McDonnell to build a commercial ecosystem for domestic talent, the multi-day event featured more than 80 designers presenting collections rooted in heritage crafts, regional wools, and sustainable practices. While the industry often prioritizes the Big Four
—London, Paris, Milan, and New York—Rocha observed that smaller fashion weeks can provide meaningful benefits to local communities.
Graduate Designers and Regional Labels Take the Catwalk
Glenties designer Clíona Campbell showcased tweed looks utilizing fabric from the Magee weaving mill where she previously worked. Campbell is currently gaining international experience through an internship with the Fabrics and Trims team at Acne Studios in Paris, where she recently worked backstage at the house’s Paris Fashion Week show. ATU Donegal graduates Emma McKinney, Hollie Marie Gallagher, and Declan Kerrigan also presented collections. Declan Kerrigan, founder and creative director of Kapaeri, was crowned McElhinneys Designer of the Year 2026, while Gallagher’s luxury label Dare to Howl featured a sculptural piece worn by actress Siobhán McSweeney and modeled by Coco Rocha. Graduate designer Grace Bowman, a Belfast-based knitwear specialist, was one of 44 creatives selected for the graduate runway showcase, describing the platform as an amazing platform for emerging designers.
Northern Ireland was front row in Dublin last week as Ireland Fashion Week (IFW) celebrated its second annual instalment.The five-day event showcased the best in Irish talent, from world-renowned names to the Damhsa show, which celebrated 40 Irish-bred graduate designers at the… pic.twitter.com/kytwzustyJ
Limerick Creatives and Historic Weavers Shape the Showcase
Limerick designers and creatives maintained a strong presence throughout the schedule. Designer Aoife McNamara closed Ireland Fashion Week with her headline runway event, ‘The World of Aoife McNamara’, at The Manor at Mount Juliet Estate in County Kilkenny. Additional Limerick connections included LSAD graduate Jodie Rose Collins, whose runway pieces were worn by influencer Chloe Koyce, and Mary O’Sullivan, who presented her ‘Cities of Ireland Toile de Jouy’ collection during the Irish Roots showcase. Bunbeg designer Sarah Lorraine Gallagher featured her ‘Fenian Dream’ collection on the runway. Furthermore, Ber McNamara runs a private atelier in Pallaskenry under Ber McNamara Designs. During the event, designer Ana Elizabeth Aguila noted that discovering model Alana Hadid would be wearing one of her designs was an unexpected highlight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ireland Fashion Week
Where did Ireland Fashion Week take place?
The second annual event held shows, talks, and exhibitions across multiple venues, anchored by major runway presentations at Slane Castle in County Meath, Dublin’s RDS, and The Manor at Mount Juliet Estate in County Kilkenny.
Which international figures attended the 2026 event?
Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha made her debut visit to Ireland to walk in the shows, while activist and model Alana Hadid participated as a runway model wearing designs by emerging Irish talent. Other attendees included broadcaster Louise Cantillon, Love Island star Conor Phillips, influencer Chloe Koyce, and actress Ivana Miličević.
What traditional Irish materials featured prominently on the runway?
Designers utilized local textiles including Donegal tweed from the Magee weaving mill, Aran wool, deadstock taffeta, and traditional linen to emphasize sustainability and regional heritage craftsmanship.
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