Renowned Irish fashion designer, Don O’Neill has decided to pack up his life in New York City after 30 years to move back to his native Kerry.
Don has a number of celebrity clients including The Kardashians, Zendaya, Oprah and Taylor Swift. But, he has now decided to pack it all up and head for Ballyheigue, Co Kerry with long time partner, Pascal Guillermie.
He has been documenting the big move over on Instagram showing themselves packing boxes, decluttering, donating and shipping their things off to Ireland.
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In his most recent update Don marked their leaving date as they prepare to pack up and leave their Brooklyn loft for the sand dunes and sweeping views of Tralee bay.
In the post he said: “The preparing of the house for sale, the downsizing, the donating, the packing, the severing of services, distribution of our furniture, 90 per cent of which we gave to friends, the farewell and today the picking up of all our worldly possessions.”
He continued saying: “Tonight is our last night in our home and as of Friday it will be signed over to the new owners… our new chapters will be beginning in earnest.
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He noted that the move was as a result of burnout and the weight on his shoulders from other people’s expectations. These struggles really came to the fore for him over the time spent in lockdown during the height of the pandemic.
He told The Irish Independent in an interview: “I got to step back. I was able to take a big breath, to be grateful for what I did but realise that I couldn’t keep that pace up forever and it was time to step away. I guess I needed a new lens to actually appreciate what I had in my life with Pascal who is my rock.”
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By being forced away from his sewing machine during the pandemic the designer realised Ballyheigue was his “happy place”.
It seems Ireland’s design community is only delighted to welcome Don back to our shores with one designer commenting: “Ireland is excited to welcome you home.”
