Doireann Healy launched art and fashion brand Begley & Bowie in 2019. Based in Kenmare, Co.Kerry, the illustrator and screen printer, designs and screen prints her smile-inducing art and eco-friendly fashion pieces from her colourful shop and studio at 16 Henry St. Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Here Doireann also designs and works on commissions for other brands and companies through her design studio for which she recently won the coveted IDI 'Rising Star' Award chosen by an incredible panel of judges (Institute Of Designers In Ireland ). Doireann was this November also nominated for the Best In Irish Fashion Design at the IDI Awards in the RDS and she was nominated for a Creative Award at the Eir / VIP Magazine Power of Women Awards at the Marker Hotel.
Doireann, who is a qualified interior designer, originally founded the sustainable brand to celebrate Ireland and it's beautiful towns and cities, artists and playwrights and the colours of Ireland but has since worked on themes such as her love of the sea, and colour, and her latest collection was based on Doireann's own personal style where she designed a range of printed textiles in the form of bomber jackets, trousers and dresses and a range of Irish linen tops, dresses and shorts with a neon pop. Doireann spent time in Belfast last January on a printing course exploring all things screen printing and linen and then in Couny Down learning about the history of Irish linen prior to working on her collection.
With Begley & Bowie Doireann predominantly works with fun flourescent and beautiful pastel colours. She screen prints on Munken fine art papers from one of the most environmentally friendly paper mills in the world and all of the clothing is 85% organic cotton and 15% polyester made from recycled palstic or Irish linen.
She is delighted with the response to her work particularly in the media and on social media and Begley & Bowie has sold worldwide since its launch.
Doireann's pieces have been worn by Amy Huberman, who purchased from Doireann at one of her first pop-up shops in Dublin, Helen Cody, Muireann O'Connell, Triona McCarthy, Sabrina Hill, Nadia El Ferdaoussi, Emma Doran, Angela Scanlon and more.
Doireann works on commissions for other brands, companies and clubs through her design studio and since launching has been commissioned to design for Adare Manor Hotel, Dromoland Castle Hotel, Trump Doonbeg Hotel, The National Gallery of Ireland, The International Rugby Experience Limerick, Kelly's Hotel in Rosslare, April & The Bear in Rathmines, Java Republic Coffee Company, McWilliam's Bags Crosshaven, Marlene & Co. Limerick, JJ Corry Whiskey in Co. Clare, Lips & P's Boutique in Naas and Newcastle West, Marlowe & Co in Dublin 8, Bow & Pearl, Ensemble Mhúscraí Youth Orchestra in Cork, ISG Ladies Football Club in Kenmare and Helen's Bar, Kilmackillogue Pier Kenmare.
She is currently working on a host of commissions for the coming summer season.
Doireann was commissioned with designing the hotel merchandise for Adare Manor Hotel in children's, men's and women's hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts. For this she based her designs on features of the castle and on Teidí, the stunning bronze sculpture designed by renowned Irish sculptor Patrick O' Reilly, that stands on the hotel's grounds. She also designed Pro-Am t-shirts to celebrate the JP McManus Pro-Am. This collection is available from the Boutique in Adare Manor.
Doireann was also commisioned with designing clothing and hotel merchandise for Dromoland Castle Hotel in Co. Clare. For these Doireann designed one range based on the history of the hotel told as a narrative story through illustration and one range based on the incredible castle building which dates back to Brian Boru. This collection is available from the Charlotte & Co. Boutique in Dromoland Castle.
Doireann was also delighted recently to work with the National Gallery of Ireland and her collections are now stocked in the National Gallery shop. The main range is based on a cultural map of Dublin which Doireann drew and features NCAD, Phil Lynott, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, the National Gallery and more.
Doireann was invited to Rosslare by Bill and Laura Kelly to stay and experience the essence of Kelly's Resort and to design hotel merchandise in the form of babywear, kidswear and adult clothing based on all that the beautiful Kelly's Resort has to offer. The clothing is available from Kelly's Hotel in Rosslare.
Most recently Doireann worked with and designed a range of clothing for the newly opened International Rugby Experience on O' Connell Street, Limerick.
Doireann was invited by the fashion team at Brown Thomas Dublin to be part of Create in their Grafton Street store for the last two years. Create is a wonderful celebration of Irish design.
Following on from Begley and Bowie's success at Create last year Doireann was invited to stock her pieces in Arnott's Dublin in the Contemporary Irish Design Section.
Doireann has just completed work on a range of hoodies, t-shirts and sweatshirts based on Dingle again told as a narrative story through illustration and printed on organic cotton pieces. This range is available from the Sweetpea store on Green Street in the town.
One of the highlights of last summer was when Doireann was commissioned by Siobhan Lam of April & The Bear in Rathmines to screen print a range of wall prints for the interiors and life style store.
In November Doireann completed the design work for a range of hoodies/ sweatshirts and t-shirts for Helen's Bar on Kilmackillogue Pier which is a hugely popular bar and restaurant in this area.
In November Doireann was delighted to be nominated for and to have won the award for 'Rising Star' at the IDI Awards for her designs and the commissions she works on through her design studio. The Institute Of Designers Ireland represents all designers in Ireland and each year chooses the best of Irish Design by an incredible team of judges. The award ceremony took place at the Marker Hotel in Dublin on the 17th of November.
In November Doireann also attended the VIP 'Power Of Women' Awards as she was nominated for a 'Creative Award'.
Doireann's store is located at 16 Henry Street Kenmare where she stocks her own designs and a host of other brands including fresh flowers from Daisy Chain Kinsale, jewellery from Creations Dana, Momuse, Shock of Grey, McWilliam's Bags and more.
Begley & Bowie can be found in-store at 16 Henry Street, Kenmare, online at begleyandbowie.com and from select stockists nationwide.