Mourne Textiles is run by Karen Hay-Edie, who studied Tapestry weaving in Oslo and Interior Design at Belfast College of Art. After a time in Dublin, Karen returned to Northern Ireland in 1980 to work with her mother and continue the family business, making traditional weaves developing new designs as well as offering weaving holidays.

Mourne Textiles was first established in 1952 by Gerd Hay-Edie (1909-1997), who was originally from Norway. After travelling and weaving in countries as far as China and India Gerd settled in Northern Ireland in 1947 and set up Mourne Textiles in 1950. Over time she built up a client list that included well-known Haute Couture firms in Dublin, London and Paris. Gerd designed and produced tweeds and fabrics for companies such as Lachasse, Hardy Amies, Sybil Connolly and Sheila Mullally in Dublin and Libertys London.