| Bebhinn Marten started Beacon
designs in Baltimore, West Cork, in the early 70’s making sailing sweaters for the
local market-the original garment is still in production-and the company was formed in
1976.Early efforts were to give design and colour to durable, warm, and serviceable
"out-door" knitwear and over the years "Beacon" jumpers were much in
evidence at sailing events from Crookhaven to Cowes. The durability of the garments-though
a major selling point-had a downside: a lack of repeat business as customers grew attached
to their jumpers and tended to want to have them repaired rather than renewed! Hence, Bebhinn turned her talent for colour to the fashion side of knitwear, ultimately bring in a totally new label (the Fuchsia) and using her own name. With this there came a move to new technology and to run the technical side Bebhinn was joined by her eldest son, Olan, a Leicester trained knitwear design technician. Luckily, the present factory, built in 1982, was designed specifically to be easy to expand as most recent years have seen expansion at its beautiful site on the shores of Baltimore harbour where the first jumpers were inspired. Bebhinn is a member of The Irish Knitwear Exporters Guild.The IKEG was founded in 1985 to promote and sell quality knitwear both at home and abroad. |
| "Bebhinn's garments reflect the natural colours of the Irish landscape and the warmth and individuality of its people" "....where quality is our watchword,colour and natural fibres our inspiration,and innovative style our guarantee." |
