The Minister of State at the Department for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D, announced today [Tuesday], that with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta, a further 10 jobs will be created at Cill Charthaigh textile company, Snáth Dhún na nGall Teo. The company currently employs 23 people and plans to begin recruitment over the coming months.
Minister of State, Dinny McGinley, made this announcement while visiting a number of Údarás na Gaeltachta companies in the South Donegal Gaeltacht. Údarás na Gaeltachta assisted businesses employ 553 people in this area, with a total 2,007 people employed throughout Donegal Gaeltacht in Údarás assisted enterprises.
The Minister of State paid tribute to the achievements of Snáth Dhún na nGall Teo., “it is great to see an indigenous Gaeltacht company like Snáth Dhún na nGall Teo. performing so well in the highly competitive textile market, particularly in these difficult economic times. Challenging times often make us more focused and it quite clear that this company is both focused and entrepreneurial in their activities, especially in developing new products and in exporting to new markets. It is wonderful to see the continued development of an age-old tradition in the Kilcar area”. The Minister of State also commended Údarás na Gaeltachta for the work it does in assisting Gaeltacht companies develop and grow their businesses.
Chris Weiniger, General Manager, Snáth Dhún na nGall Teo. said, “This support provided by Údarás will assist us to develop and expand our range of unique Donegal tweed yarns for both knitting and weaving, increase marketshare and sustain the company going forward. This support demonstrates the Government’s commitment to support small companies and provide employment in rural areas.”
Seán Ó Labhraí, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta said, “Snáth Dhún na nGall Teo.’s skilled and committed workforce is the bedrock of its success in producing a traditional product that is unique in the textile world. This company has been to the forefront in developing and innovating yarn for their customers. I would like to pay tribute to their achievements, their experience and expertise in yarn production. We are delighted to support such a company and welcome the company’s plans for development.”
Snáth Dhún na nGall Teo was established in 2006. It produces “Donegal “ effect yarns for the weaving, commercial knitting and the home knitting trades. The company operates a complete production process, in their traditional wool spinning mill in Cill Charthaigh, from the raw wool product to a finished multi-coloured fleck yarn. Over 65% of their total production is exported to the EU, United States and Japan. Their yarn features in high-end fashion garments produced by American fashion giants such as Ralph Lauren, Polo and J. Crew.