Mourne Textiles

Mourne Textiles was founded in 1949 by Gerd Hay-Edie as a handloom weaving studio in the hills above Rostrevor, and is now run by her grandson Mario Hay-Edie from a shop and workshop on Queen Street in Warrenpoint. The business has grown from hand-operated looms into what it describes as a micro-mill, producing furnishing and curtain fabric, scarves, blankets, cushions and rugs in wool, cotton and linen, including the Mourne Check and Mourne Tweed patterns developed by the founder. Work by the studio has featured in interiors publications and been used by designers on furnishing and upholstery projects, and pieces from the original 1950s and 1960s ranges are held in design archives as examples of Northern Irish textile production from that period. The Warrenpoint premises combines a retail shop with weaving in progress, open to visitors three days a week, with other times available by appointment. The business also runs felt and weaving workshops for people wanting to learn the techniques rather than only buy finished pieces.