A Donegal shirt maker has won a contract to make clerical shirts for DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley.
The Moville Clothing Company has been asked to make 100 per cent cotton shirts for the North's First Minister designate after supplying him with a complimentary garment in November.
The company is run by the Doherty brothers, Ray, Hilary and Joe, with their 68-year-old father, Harry, a master cutter, helping out with big orders.
As Ray Doherty explained, the company sent a complimentary shirt made by his father to Dr Paisley in December last year. The gift was sent at the suggestion of the Rev Jim Rea who has had his shirts made with the small family-owned firm for some years. In a thank you letter, Dr Paisley remarked: "It is one of the nicest shirts I have ever seen. The material is so soft and comfortable."
He has since ordered five more shirts - 16.5 inch collar and 44 inch chest - including three supplied in March and an order for two more, made in a phone call from Dr Paisley yesterday. The shirts retail at €30.
Ray Doherty said: "He said the shirts fitted him in every way and they were the best shirts he had been given in a number of years. He has ordered the white and silver grey and likes the fact they are 100 per cent two-fold cotton." Harry Doherty said he was delighted with Dr Paisley's order.
"We're very proud that Ian Paisley has chosen to come to the South and get his shirts made with us. Hopefully, it's a sign of the good things to come between the North and South."
Moville Clothing Company employs 13 machinists at the Glencrow Industrial Estate, Moville, Inishowen. It is the last remaining shirt-making company in Donegal.