It is largely accepted now that masks are effective in controlling the spread of Covid-19 and it is now mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport. More and more people around the country are taking it upon themselves to wear a mask daily whenever they leave the house on essential trips. And with a recent comment from Dr David Nabarro of WHO recommending that in fact we should be wearing them – and that we may have to wear masks for some time, potentially even long after social distancing practices have passed – we think it’s time we find one that we actually want to wear.

Aditionally, a recent Irish Times report stated that the wearing of a face mask by members of the public is critical in the battle against COVID-19: “There is a broad consensus now that wearing even a basic cloth mask properly along with rapid testing/tracing capacity and appropriate use of effective app technology will be all needed, if crushing Covid is to be realised.” Adding that “80 per cent adoption could reduce mortality by 24 to 65 per cent.”

There have been lots of creative takes on social media showing followers how to make their own masks from home. Jenny Walton, a fashion illustrator based in New York, has been repurposing old designer dust bags (from Gucci to Prada) to make face masks; sustainable clothing brand Reformation shared a simple but effective trick of using a silk scarf and two bobbins (find it in their Instagram Stories highlights); and Vogue shared a step by step guide and pattern for making and tie-dyeing your own mask at home.

Of course from a public health perspective, it doesn’t matter what your face mask looks like as long as it covers your mouth, nose and chin, but for those of us who like to consider our appearance, who take pride in how we look and feel and whose aesthetic sensibilities often tend to win out over practicality, we can’t help but want our mask to be attractive. We could go into a whole spiel on how the mask could become the next form of self-expression (and the next It accessory?) but we’ll save you the essay and instead include below some Irish face masks that you can buy from home to help make your essential trips that little bit more stylish…

Linen mask, €16, Irish Linen House

Linen travel mask, €20, Stable of Ireland (check back regularly for restock). For every two masks purchased you will receive a third mask free. 

Cloth mask, €25, We Make Good. With every mask purchased We Make Good will donate one mask to someone living in direct provision. 

Irish linen and bamboo kids face mask, €3.95, Trousseau. Adult masks €8.95.

Humming Bird Non Surgical Face Mask, €22, Jennifer Rothwell. 10% of all profits from sales of the masks will be donated to the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless.

Cardinal Red Silk Face covering, €25, Natalie B Coleman. A percentage of profits will be donated to Women’s Aid, Dublin.

Irish linen face mask, €10, www.bebhinn.ie. €2 from each mask sold is donated to charity.

Handmade face masks, €10. To order mail Fionnuala Bourke on Instagram.

Handmade face masks, €35, Mariad Whisker via dominowhisker.com.

Adult masks €29.90 per pack of 3, Bare Essentials

Cotton face mask with filter, €8.50, Face Masks by Miriam. €1 from each mask will be donated to ALONE. 

Blue Gingham Matching Face Mask & Scrunchie, €27, Fortune’s Antiques

Triple-layered cloth mask, one for €6 or 3 for €15, Mask Your Face via Facebook or Instagram 

Pack of six masks, Helen Cody via Instagram

Handmade silk face mask lined with Irish linen, €55, Reuben Avenue

Three-layer Irish linen mask, €16, Emblem Weavers

Handwoven cotton mask, €20, Four Threads

Ocean blue linen daisy mask, €16, Nugent Linen

Alice & Olivia jersey face mask, €8.50, The Shona Project

‘Howya’ kids mask, €4, Irish Sock Society.

We’ll update this post regularly with more Irish face masks as they become available so do check back in regularly.