Irish Companies Making Covid-19 Face Coverings
Up there with seatbelts, condoms and bicycle helmets, when it comes to face masks, I’m for making like The Spice Girls and saying “Be a little bit wiser baby, put it on, put it on“. I’ve been wearing a face covering of sorts- be it a bandanna in the early March or, more recently, a homemade cloth one- since the Covid-19 outbreak began. In the same vain of the aforementioned examples, I figure the two seconds it takes to put on could help me avoid a whole lot of hassle. More importantly, it could save someone more vulnerable than me.
Of course, now is also more important than ever before to support small businesses. Very few of us are getting out of this pandemic unscathed financially, but small businesses are particularly vulnerable. Some of my favourite brands are, by coincidence, Irish, female-run indies. And I really don’t want to be without them.
Buying a (homemade, very cute) face covering from a local maker is a double-whammy. Supporting both your health AND a small business. Here are some of what’s on offer.
(Captions are direct quotes from each of the brands.)
One of my very favourite textile brands, 31 Chapel Lane, has created this initiative that supports frontline workers, on a non-profit basis. Fair play!
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Wicklow-based interior designer, Ciara Eloise has created a range of masks suitable for adults or little ones. These cute designs feature high filtration BFE 90.7% medical grade inner lining.
Dublin fashion designer Helen Cody has a range of masks available for pick-up from her Harold’s Cross studio. Head to her Insta for details.
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Irish jewellery and accessories brand, A Little Idea, has whipped up some adorable masks. Keep an eye on her social media for updates on new launches.
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Designer Zoe Carol is making super cool linen masks, and even a handy travel pouch to for them. Clever!
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Creators of the cutest kids’ bedding in Ireland! Moon Mood have not only been making face coverings, but they’re been donating 10% of the proceeds to Clare Haven Services. This is an organisation in Co. Clare helping women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Services like this have, sadly, been more necessary than ever.
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Another Irish creative using her skills for good is Miriam from Facemasks by Miriam. Miriam is partnering with Alone- a wonderful charity that supports vulnerable elderly folk, whose experience with isolation is sadly longer-lasting than what most of felt during lockdown. This is actually a organisation I’ve been thinking a lot about recently, and developed an even greater appreciation for. This, no doubt, comes after experiencing extreme loneliness for pretty much the first time in my life recently (you can read my lockdown sob story here). Handmade in Kilkenny, €1 from every mask will be donated to Alone. Miriam is also selling cute storage pouches, to keep your masks fresh and clean when you’re on the go.
I’d love to know what other small business are creating Covid face masks. If you know of any, please drop me a line at louise@paperandmoon.com .
