Lara McLaughlin and Caoimhe Doherty launch Saol Arís upcycled womenswear

Lara McLaughlin and Caoimhe Doherty launched Saol Arís, a handmade womenswear collection made by upcycling preloved clothes and textiles, at the Síoraí circular-economy hub in Carndonagh on February 26, 2026. Síoraí advertised the drop on Facebook: “... Launch of our new Saol Arís handmade collection, shop it first on the day! You don't want to miss this #shoppingspraoi #prelovedfashion.”

Saol Arís grew out of Síoraí, the network of circular-economy stores run by Spraoi agus Spórt, the award-winning social enterprise that provides services for young families, children, young people, and adults in the area. Lara McLaughlin is listed in coverage as Síoraí’s Sustainability Textile Technician; Donegaldaily records her framing for the project: “Síoraí is the Irish word for continual or everlasting, explains Lara. ‘This is what the circular economy is all about. Reducing what we buy, re-using what we have and recycling what’s discarded, creates a more sustainable local environment.’” Spraoi agus Spórt chief executive Helen Nolan underlined the hub’s purpose: “Síoraí means continual or unceasing and that Síoraí Home is set to ‘further inspire the community to embrace sustainable shopping. Our mission is to encourage people to think twice before buying new, opting instead for unique, pre-loved items that tell a story’.”

The Síoraí initiative already operates three outlets, with retail hours of 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. Síoraí Clothing & Accessories opened on Bridge Street in Carndonagh and Síoraí Furniture is based at the Carndonagh Nursery and Garden Centre on Moss Road. Sources vary on Síoraí Home’s exact address: two reports place Síoraí Home on Newpark Road - described by one as “opposite SuperValu” and slated to open “next Saturday, December 2 at 10am” in that outlet’s calendar note - while Donegallive lists both Clothing and Home on Bridge Street. Síoraí Home’s inventory is described as revamped furniture, paint, baby goods, books and a Christmas toy shop, and Lorraine Carey, Spraoi’s circular-economy hub lead, says the upcycling process gives discarded furniture “a new lease of life,” adding that upcycled pieces are both cost-effective and “carry a story.”

Promotion around Saol Arís intersected with Síoraí’s public programming: Donegal Daily promoted a Síoraí After Hours sustainable fashion night on Friday 27th June, 6–9pm at Síoraí Bridge St featuring curated rails, style tips and music, and quoted Lara directly: “By re-using fashion, you are reducing waste and supporting the circular economy,” and “We want to encourage people to refresh their wardrobes the sustainable way.” The hub is also gathering customer feedback via a quick two-minute survey with a prize draw for two €25 Síoraí vouchers; Carey said, “We will harness this feedback to help improve Síoraí’s services, layout, and community impact. All completed entries will be included in a prize draw.”

Donegallive reports that all funds from Síoraí sales are channelled into Spraoi agus Spórt programmes, including special needs assistance to enable children of all abilities to participate. Saol Arís, as a handmade, upcycled womenswear line developed at Síoraí, therefore functions as both a local style project and a direct funding mechanism for community services, a practical example of circular dressing that doubles as social enterprise in Inishowen.