Moygashel linen is known throughout the world as the highest quality Irish linen one can buy. Moygashel is a small Irish village located on the outskirts of Dungannon in south Tyrone. The famous Moygashel Linen Mills were established there in 1795. It is said that Moygashel linen has a unique ingredient using the soft rainfall from the tributary streams on the Mourne Mountains to soften the flax. Sometime in the late 20th century, Moygashel built a new mill, and in 1993 the sight of the old mill was developed as Ireland's first outlet mall. Ulster Weavers Apparel Ltd. aquired Moygashel Linen in 2001.
In the 1940's, 50's and 60's Moygashel linen was available to purchase as yardage in fabric stores, as well as being used by designers and garment manufacturers. So well known was the Moygashel name, they had their own labels sewn into garments made from their fabrics. Some designers would also add the Moygashel name to their own labels.
Moygashel would take out full page ads in home sewing magazines as well as fine fashion magazines. The ad shown at the top of this post is from the 1954 Simplicity Spring Pattern magazine. Simplicity featured Moygashel linen in several of the garments made for the magazine, including the cover image shown above. Made from Simplicity pattern 4559 in peacock blue linen with red and white polka dot linen accents.
This dress is also Simplicity pattern 4559, made in Moygashel crease resistant linen.
This suit was made from Simplicity pattern 4550, also in Moygashel crease resistant linen.Vintage Moygashel fabrics from the 1940's, 50's, and 60's are so highly prized, they sell for high prices when you can find them.
