Magee suits, famous all over the world, will no longer be made in Ireland following an announcement yesterday that it is to close its clothing manufacturing operation in Donegal town with the loss of 60 jobs by June next year.
The move represented a double jobs blow for the northwest region yesterday, with the announcement that 91 jobs are to go with the closure of the Korean firm, Saehan Media, in Sligo.
Magee, founded in 1866, said that while it is ending its clothing manufacturing operation in Donegal, the production of quality fabrics for the world's top design houses - including Ralph Lauren and Burberry - will continue.
Up to 130 workers will continue to be employed in Donegal in this part of the operation.
The company's retail shops will also continue to operate in Donegal town, Dublin and England, according to the company.
Magee chairman Lynn Temple said all other clothing producers had already moved their manufacturing operations away from Ireland and the UK, mainly because of costs.
He said: "Magee hasn't had a single competitor still producing garments in Ireland or the UK."
Staff were informed of the closure intention shortly before they were due to clock off for their regular Friday half-day.
Meanwhile, Saehan Media said it is closing its videotape and video cassettes production facility at Hazelwood outside Sligo town with the loss of the remaining 91 jobs.
The decision came just days after Platter Foods said it is closing its plant in Sligo with the loss of 57 jobs.
Two months ago Tractech, which makes parts for heavy goods vehicles, said it is "relocating" out of Ireland with the loss of 122 jobs at its Sligo plant.
Workers throughout the region were already shocked by an earlier announcement that Fruit of the Loom is to cease all operations in Buncrana, Co Donegal, in May with the end of up to 170 jobs.
Already 560 jobs are being phased out at the Donegal town medical devices plant of US company Hospira.
There was angry reaction yesterday to news of the latest job losses.
Seán Reilly, Siptu representative in Donegal, said: "It is a black day. The county is already a blackspot for employment. Can it get any blacker?"
He called on the Government to recognise that unemployment in Donegal has reached a crisis level.
Sligo Sinn Féin councillor Chris McManus, a former technician at Saehan which has been in Sligo since 1991, said Government agencies, including the IDA, have been aware for a number of years that the Saehan operation has been winding down its operations.
"Everybody was aware of the plan to fully close the site, yet nothing has been done for the people who are going to be unemployed at the end of April."