The Irish-made bags team IMAGE are gifting this Christmas

From holdalls perfect for festival over-packers to wash bags and totes for the travel enthusiasts, the staffers pick their favourites from McWilliam Bags.

Everyone, even the most stubbornly hard-to-buy-for people in your life, needs a sturdy bag that will hold all the essentials. McWilliam Bags are known for their exceptional craftsmanship and enduring quality, so you know that any piece purchased from the Cork-based brand will last the tests of time.

Over 50 years since McWilliam Bags began putting bags together using leftover materials from their sail making business in the seaside village of Crosshaven, Cork, their simple, sustainable approach has remained consistent ever since.

An ideal Christmas gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself after a long year, the team share the bags they’ll be gifting this year…

Amber O’Shea, Social Media Manager

I love to go camping and head to festivals in the summer months and I feel like a McWilliam Bag is the best companion. It’s durable and waterproof, exactly what you need for the Irish weather! I love that each of the different styles comes in a variety of colours, you can even choose the colour of the handle too, which is so fun. I love the hot pink tote bag and really enjoy the wash bag; I use it for my camera and accessories when I’m heading to festivals and need my belongings to be safe from any water. They are the perfect bag for your explorations!

Hannah Stapleton, Junior Events Assistant

I’m a bag lover at heart. I sometimes think I have more bags than clothes. One area I’ve always lacked though, is a holdall, or a practical bag which will hold absolutely everything I need.

As an avid festival goer, travel enthusiast and extreme over-packer, I tend to be lugging two or three bags with me at least. This McWilliam Blue Holdall will solve all my problems! Practical, durable, waterproof and available in every colour possible, I’ll be putting this at the very top of my Christmas wish list. The personalisation option is an added bonus!

I always find my dad impossible to buy for. What do you get for the man who has everything? This McWilliam Washbag is the perfect solution! The perfect size for his work bag, his golf bag, his cycling bag, and his own holdall. Once again, the personalisation option adds a lovely touch, so he’ll never get it mixed up with anyone else’s.

Megan Burns, Editor, IMAGE Interiors; Managing Editor, IMAGE

I think the McWilliam tote would make such a great gift – I use mine constantly, it’s so handy when you’re out and about to pop a few groceries into, but because it’s waterproof and so sturdy, I also use it to hold all my things when I’m sea swimming – plus you can throw wet gear into it afterwards.

And a gift for myself would have to be this holdall. I use my medium one loads, but I think a small one would be handy too for short trips, or even for sports gear going to the gym or matches. I love the sleek black design, too.

Meghan Killalea, Branded Partnerships Marketing Account Executive

I have been seeing McWilliam Bags everywhere I go recently, so I think the universe is telling me to either gift one or ask for one myself this Christmas. The 80s Bag has caught my eye on more than one occasion recently, with its combination of the classic McWilliam design and retro colour scheme. Pair this then with The 80s Washbag, for the ultimate bundle gift in style, durability and functionality. I feel like they’re both such classic essentials, which you can personalise with someone’s name or a small message, which is so lovely and personal, and would be the perfect stocking filler this Christmas.

Dearbhla Lovett, IMAGE First Activations Freelancer

The Red holdall with the red strap is chic and fun with the pop of red. This makes me feel like I’m going to a beach in France. I would also love to gift this in green to any of my family members, especially the men in your life who can be hard to shop for (and will use any bag they find in the house for nights away, the 10-year-old school bag needs to go!)

The 90s Wash Bag with a navy strap is so fun, and the perfect size for all your toiletries for a night away! I love this one as a gift for dads, and you can fill it with their favourite skincare or aftershave.

Crafted in Ireland and inspired by the sea, McWilliam Bags blend durability, function, and timeless design. Loved for their heritage and built to last, they’re the perfect companion for work, travel or weekend adventure. Discover the collection at mcwilliambags.com.