Avoca Handweavers facts for kids
Hand weaving machine in use at the Mill
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| Private | |
| Industry | Textile and clothing manufacturing, retail, cafés |
| Founded | 1723 |
| Headquarters | Kilmacanogue, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Products | Clothes, other woollen goods, soft furnishings, food, ceramics, books, soaps & perfumes |
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Number of employees
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1,000 (2020) |
| Parent | Aramark |
Avoca Handweavers, often called just Avoca, is a famous Irish company. It makes clothes, sells many different items, and runs cafes. It started in a place called Avoca in County Wicklow, Ireland. This company has the oldest working wool mill in Ireland. It is also one of the oldest manufacturing companies in the world! Since 2015, an American company called Aramark has owned Avoca.
Contents
The Story of Avoca Handweavers
The Avoca mill has been around for a very long time, since at least 1723. It sits by the fast-flowing River Avoca. In the past, it was hard to travel to and from the village. People often used a barter system, trading goods instead of using money. The mill was used to grind corn for bread. It also spun and wove wool into cloth.
Early Weaving Machines
Around 1760, a new machine called a flying shuttle loom arrived. This machine could weave much more cloth, up to 20 meters a day! Some workers worried they might lose their jobs because of this new technology. They even burned some of the new looms.
The Wynne Sisters' Colorful Touch
In the 1920s, three sisters named Emily, Winifred, and Veronica Wynne took over the mill. They brought lots of bright colors to Avoca's designs. Avoca Handweavers' special tweed fabric became very popular. It was even used by famous Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli. This special fabric was also used to make a waistcoat for King George VI. Baby blankets for the children of Queen Elizabeth II were also made from Avoca's material.
The Pratt Family Takes Over
By 1974, the mill was in trouble and almost closed down. A lawyer named Donald Pratt was hired to help sell it. Instead, he decided to buy it himself! With his wife, Hilary, a teacher, they worked hard to make Avoca Handweavers successful again. The Pratts started selling their beautiful handwoven rugs and throws to the UK and other countries. Today, Avoca throws are still sold all over the world. In 2015, the Pratt family sold Avoca Handweavers to the American company Aramark.
Avoca Today with Aramark
As of 2020, Avoca has many shops across Ireland. You can find them in places like Powerscourt Estate, Malahide Castle, and even in Belfast. Many of these shops also have food halls and cafes. This is because Avoca has grown its food business a lot.
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Avoca also creates its own clothing lines for women. They sell these clothes in their own stores. They also sell them to other shops in Ireland and around the world. One of their clothing lines is called 'Avoca Anthology'.
Avoca is also known for its lovely gardens. There are some rare trees on its grounds in Kilmacanogue. There is also a garden at Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford, County Wicklow. In 2020, the company employed about 1,000 people.
