History
In 1971, in the seaside village of Crosshaven in county Cork - we started putting bags together using leftover materials from our sail making business.
Life spent on the water showed us the need for a simple and sustainable approach. And in the 5 decades since - not much has changed.
From our modest workshop in this harbour town, our close-knit team assemble, stitch and repair bags with meticulous dedication. Finely stitched into the fabric of each bag is a robust strength and preparedness for years and years of play, passage and future exploration.
We know this commitment to tradition and quality has helped the McWilliam bag and the now famous striped design, become more than just an accessory. It becomes a companion along life’s journey.
Real Life
Life can throw you into some interesting scenarios and often right at the deep end. McWilliam bags are known to show up in some of the most unexpected places.
From way beyond the comfort zone, knee deep in snow on an arctic expedition, to within 30 feet of nowhere in the middle of the sea, the McWilliam stripes are hard to miss.
If it's embarking on an adventure in pastures new or trekking alone in parts unknown, our bags connect us to where we came from but keep us on track to where we’re going. When you own a McWilliam bag for long enough, you’ll know the feeling.
Sustainability
When we make something we make it to last. Throughout the years our commitment to sustainability has become entrenched in the DNA of McWilliam.
By making a durable and enduring product, not only do we stop contributing to the pollution of our earth and ocean, but we now help in the removal of 1 pound of plastic waste from it with every order placed. Through our partnership with Ecodrive we have removed over 2000 lbs of plastic and counting.
After 50 years, we feel like we’re only getting started in this fight for a cleaner, greener, more mindful approach to doing business.
We hope that in choosing long-life, sustainable products like ours, you feel empowered and emboldened to travel near and far - and to spread the message of how collectively, we can make a difference.