Celebrating 85 Years of Dubarry

AN ICON IN THE WATER AND THE FIELD

Dubarry is a household name which is synonymous with excellent workmanship and industry innovation. Its beginnings stem from a small town called Ballinasloe in the heart of Galway on Ireland’s West Coast. Here, the skills of local craftsmen and women combined in 1937 to create what would soon become a highly respected and sought-after footwear brand.

The harbour and waterways of Galway have long been a key part of its economic infrastructure and so Dubarry’s first specialisation was in hand-stitched leather moccasin deck shoes. They quickly acquired an international reputation of being a brand leader in performance sailing footwear.

This reputation was further enhanced when Dubarry obtained a GORE-TEX licence in the early 1990s and launched the world’s first ever waterproof and breathable leather sailing boot called Shamrock. The success of this sailing boot led to the expansion of Dubarry’s sailing collection, providing waterproof, warm and durable footwear for sailors around the globe.

Named after Madame du Barry, the famous French courtesan and mistress of Louis XV, Dubarry sought to distinguish itself from similar Irish brands by injecting a touch of continental, European style and luxury that would be reflected by its name. However, they couldn’t help themselves from returning to their Irish country roots in the 1990s when they created one of their most iconic pieces of footwear: the Galway boot.

Colours of Galway

Success in the field of sailing inspired Dubarry to look at footwear for other challenging fields, namely countryside ones. The Galway boot is a staple for country lovers, suitable for all types of terrain and environments. Now armed with their GORE-TEX licence, the brand was able to create a water and windproof boot designed to protect against the elements and stand the tests of time and extensive use. A variety of fits and colours allowed for the Galway boot to be paired with most outfits, whether you were trekking across mountainsides and riverbanks or spending the day at the stables. A wide range of Dubarry country footwear and clothing soon followed this timeless boot in the 2000s.

Having landed in America in 2005, Dubarry is now sold through specially selected retailers around the world. Their GORE-TEX lined footwear and country clothing are incredibly popular with all country sports enthusiasts, including the Royal Family, while Dubarry’s newly developed Aquatech range highlights the nautical history of the brand with high performance and quality technical products.

Dubarry continues to develop new and exciting products while remaining faithful to their heritage and original brand concept. The Galway boot endures as an icon of country footwear, encapsulating the quality, ingenuity and durability of both the products and Dubarry itself.