Cork company repurposes race sails and life rafts to make eco-friendly bags and accessories

Attila Magyar, of Mamukko Ltd, will be at County Hall’s ReUse Republic event today, Wednesday October 24. Here he tells us about his work, family, life and hobbies.

Tell us about yourself;

My name is Attila Magyar, Managing Director at Mamukkko Ltd, Kinsale.

I am a sixth generation leather worker, first generation upcycler, father, husband and Reggae selector (DJ ).

I have been living in Ireland since 2007 and I co-founded Mamukko with my brother, Levente Magyar in 2011.

Mamukko is an award winner upcyling business crafting eco-friendly bags and accessories from repurposed ocean race sails and decommissioned life rafts combined with leather.

Where were you born?

Reghin, Romania (Transylvania).

Where do you live?

Kinsale, Co. Cork.

Family?

Yes, married to a lovely girl, Nora, and I am a father of one. I have a son, Attila who is nearly nine.

Best friend?

My wife.

Earliest childhood memory?

My memory is not too good, can’t remember.

Person you most admire?

My mother, Erzsebet Magyar (I have three siblings).

Person who most irritates you?

No-one irritates me any more.

Who would you like to see as Minister for Finance and why?

I don’t follow politics.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Always the most recent one. Went to Spain in August with the family to Rototom Sunsplash, the biggest reggae festival in Europe.

We loved it. Get all the family into reggae. They love it and it makes us all happy.

Favourite TV programme?

I don’t watch much TV.

Favourite radio show?

David Rodigan’s reggae show on BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Meatball soup ( the only dish I can cook!)

Last book you read?

Elif Shafak: The Forty Rules of Love.

Best book you read?

Paulo Coelho: The Alchemist.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Golden Nuggets Vinyl EP Collector’s Limited Edition — L’Entourloop X Skarra Mucci.

Favourite song?

Runkus — 99%.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Bob Marley’s son, Damian Marley.

Do you have a pet?

Yes, Buddy. We got him recently, he’s 12 weeks old. Half cocker spaniel, half poodle. My son, Attila, has the happiest buddy.

Morning person or night owl?

Daytime person.

Your proudest moment?

Now.

Spendthrift or saver?

Saver spendthrift.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

Lower rents in Kinsale so my friends won’t need to move.

What makes you happy?

Life, family, friends, reggae music.

How would you like to be remembered?

Attila Magyar, the guy who set up Mamukko and made it.

What else are you up to at the moment?

There is a lot going on. Training Buddy, the dog. Working on growing my business, Mamukko, enjoying life.

MORE ON REUSE REPUBLIC

Mamukko is taking part in the ReUSe Republic event at County Hall tomorrow, October 24.

The event is now in its third year. It will be held at Cork County Hall and is free to the public.

The exhibition will give attendees the opportunity to meet people involved in various reuse themes; including furniture, food, clothing, paint and more.

In addition to the main exhibition hall, there will also be a series of talks, demonstrations, and a clothing swap shop taking place throughout the event.

The highlight of this year’s event will be a special food workshop with chef Lilly Higgins, who will show how to make the most out of every single potential ingredient in your kitchen.

Some of the exhibitors attending ReUse Republic will include Badly Made Books, Cork Zero Waste, Twig Refill, Food Cloud, Handmade By Kata, Mamukko and ReCreate.

The aim of the exhibition is to give its audience a sense of the wide range of possibilities and opportunities that exist in extending the perceived life of materials.

Mayor of Cork County, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan said: “We are delighted to welcome ReUse Republic back to Cork County Hall.

“Reuse is such an important and topical issue at the moment and anything we can do to encourage people to find alternatives to single use products and repairing rather than replacing is a very positive thing.”

ReUse Republic runs at Cork County Hall from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday, October 24 and admission to the public is free.

Those wishing to attend the workshops should register at: www.reuserepublic.eventbrite.ie as there will be a limited number of places for some of the workshops, including Lilly Higgins’ food demonstration.

ReUse Republic coincides with ReUse Month October, a countrywide initiative driven by the three Waste Management Regional Authorities to promote reuse with a nationwide series of events www.mywaste.ie/reuse-month/.

“We continue to make great strides here in Cork in terms of reuse and recycling,” said Tim Lucey, Chief Executive of Cork County Council, “and it is something that we have shown great leadership in nationally.

“Events like ReUse Republic are a great way of connecting with the public on this issue and inviting them to learn from some of the innovators in the field and find practical ways of introducing more reuse ideas to their homes.”

Following the ReUse Republic exhibition, the ‘Circular and Social: Enterprise Helping our Climate’ workshop will take place, centred around Sustainable Development Goals 8, 12, 13 and 17.

At the workshop attendees will find out about the EU and local impact of their work and find out how to partner with social enterprise for a more circular, sustainable and social future. This event takes place from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in Vertigo www.facebook.com/CRNIreland/