Hanna Hats
Hanna Hats, also known as Hanna Hats of Donegal, is an Irish headwear maker founded in Donegal Town in 1924 by David Hanna. The family business makes flat caps, hats and accessories in tweed and natural fabrics in its own Donegal workshop.
| Founded | 1924 |
|---|---|
| Founder | David Hanna |
| Workshop | Donegal Town, Ireland |
| Largest market | United States |
| Website | hannahats.com |
What is Hanna Hats?
Hanna Hats is a family run headwear company from Donegal Town in the north west of Ireland. It describes itself as Ireland's last operating commercial headwear workshop, with around 21 craftspeople who design, cut, sew, press and dispatch every piece on site.
History
Founder David Hanna cycled from Belfast to Donegal in 1921 to take a tailoring apprenticeship and later took over the business, establishing Hanna Hats in 1924. His son John Joseph Hanna bought the company in 1984 and built international sales through US trade fairs, making the United States its largest market. His children Eleanor and John Patrick Hanna took over in 2023, and the company marked its centenary in 2024.
Products and positioning
- Flat caps, including the best selling Vintage Cap launched in 1975
- Newsboy, duckbill, skipper and children's caps
- Walking and bucket hats
- Scarves, ties, bags and other accessories
The first Hanna hat was made from Donegal tweed, and the company continues to work with tweed, linen and other natural fabrics.
Why it matters
Hanna Hats is a living example of Irish craft manufacturing at commercial scale, with a direct online business and wholesale exports built on Donegal tweed heritage.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Hanna Hats made?
Hanna Hats are designed and made entirely in the company's workshop in Donegal Town, Ireland.
Who founded Hanna Hats?
Hanna Hats was founded in 1924 by David Hanna, and it is now run by the third generation of the family.