New Arrivals: Ornate Celtic Jewelry & Galway Crystal

Spring is in the air at Blarney Woollen Mills with a range of new products available in our online store. The highlights being some elegant pieces of Celtic jewelry such a Celtic cross pendants, Celtic earrings, Celtic knot beads and celtic rings.

Deciphering the meaning of the Triskele or Triple Spiral

The Triskele or Triple Spiral symbol appears in many ancient cultures and is also visible in the astronomical calendar in Newgrange's megalithic tomb which dates back to 3200 BC. The symbol is often associated with ancient Celtic jewelry and culture but, in fact, it originates from a time before then.

The Triskele is a complex symbol and commonly labelled as one of the most convoluted for specialist symbolists to decipher as it is believed that it is has a number of different meanings and references from the ancient Celtic era.

Celebrating the Red, White & You on the 4th July!

With the annual 4th July celebrations are almost upon us, at Blarney Woollen Mills we are looking to give away over $3,000 of prizes in our exclusive 4th July competition. Our big summer giveaway includes a fabulous first prize voucher of $1776 to spend on the wide range of Irish gifts and celtic jewelry at blarney.com

That's not all, there are lots of other fantastic prizes to be won including a Waterford Crystal Seahorse Centrepiece Vase valued at $359, an exclusive Blarney Bead Bracelet worth $349, an Aoife Shawl Collar Aran Cape worth $139 plus so much more. The full list of prizes can be viewed below.

New Arrivals: Stylish Aran Knitwear and Celtic Accessories

The St. Patrick's Day celebrations may be done and dusted for another year but there is never an impromptu time to purchase Irish gifts or, more specifically, aran knitwear. The evenings may be stretching that little bit longer and temperatures may be on the rise but stylish aran knitwear looks good whatever the weather.

With this in mind, there is a new stylish range of aran sweaters, cardigans and accessories have arrived at blarney.com which will ensure that you will be looking your best during the spring and summer months. All of this new range of garments form part of Blarney Woollen Mills new and exclusive knitwear range.

Celebrate Ireland's patron saint in style this March

With the month of March looming and the first glimpses of spring in the air, the countdown to the Irish national holiday in honour of the country's patron saint, Saint Patrick's Day, is well underway. The 17th March is always a day of great celebration for many throughout the island of Ireland and the millions of Irish Diaspora across the globe with symbols or the Emerald Isle and various shades of green coming to the fore.

Blarney Woollen Mills have a wide range of stylish and fun St. Patrick's Day themed aran sweaters and hoodies that will ensure that you look the part on the day. There are aran sweaters for men and aran sweaters for women to chose from, all of which elicit a real sense of home while allowing you to look stylish during the long day of celebrations.

There are also a range of celtic jewelry and, in particular, Irish charms and Irish shamrock jewelry to complete your outfit for the big day. Whether you choose a sterling silver shamrock celtic pendant or a sterling silver shamrock bead then you're guaranteed to stand out from the crowd.

Alternatively, if you are seeking a gift for that someone special or friends and family both home and abroad then Blarney.com is your one stop destination for Irish gifts. With a wide range of ornate Irish belleek, skilfully crafted Waterford Crystal and beautifully embroidered Irish throws and Irish linen tablecloth; and not forgetting a pair of matching Irish wool socks.which will complete your

Ensure you look the part tgis Saint Patrick's Day by browsing through the wide ranging of clothing, jewelry and Irish gifts on blarney.com.

Irish gifts to brighten those winter months

Now that Christmas has come and gone, decorations are carefully being taken down and placed back into storage for another twelve months and those special Irish gifts received from friends and family are taking pride of place in your wardrobe, mantelpiece, display cabinet or even around your neck or wrist as we welcome the dawning of a new year.

For many who received traditional Irish gifts such as aran sweaters and classic Irish sweaters will undoubtedly be grateful following the arrival of those chilly Arctic winds and frost covered mornings. The aran sweaters from Blarney make the ideal winter accessory with their complex stitch patterns, soft natural chunky merino wool and traditional look but each with their own contemporary twist.

With an ever growing variety of celtic jewelry to chose from, there were sure to be some ornate and exquisite pieces of celtic artistry received as gifts over the festive period. The Blarney Woollen Mills range is continually updated with the latest styles and other an extensive collection of the finest celtic jewelry including ornate Celtic pendants, Celtic knot jewelry, Irish charm bracelets and Celtic earrings. For those wishing to their illustrate affections for that special other in 2015 then why not choose from the extensive range of Irish wedding rings and Claddagh rings and much more.

Another traditionally popular gift over the festive period is a piece of Irish crystal with many opting to give friends or loved ones an ornate piece of Waterford Crystal whether it's a decorative Waterford Crystal picture frame or decanter. Waterford Crystal is known throughout the world for its exquisite crystal glasses and crystal gifts with its stylish and intricate designs and timeless patterns.

Irish Christmas gift ideas direct from Blarney

The holiday period may be almost here but for many the gift buying process is still well under way with the final weekend before the big day likely to be a busy one for a lot of people. At Blarney Woollen Mills we've just welcomed in a range of new Irish gifts and Irish novelty gifts which would make great Christmas gift ideas for those still at the decision phase.

The latest additions to the Blarney traditional Irish gifts range include some snug Aran sweaters for women, some great Irish and Aran themed clothing for kids plus some ever popular celtic jewelry and  ornamental Waterford Crystal. For those who order by the Friday, 19th December, deadline then delivery of should be in time for Christmas Day!

For those seeking some useful accessories for the remaining winter months then look no further than Blarney Woollen Mills with the largest range of Irish sweaters and Fisherman sweaters online. For those who require that little bit extra warmth on these chilly winter nights then why not avail of the stylish (and quite colourful) Irish wool socks or traditional Irish throw blankets.

Above all else the whole team at Blarney Woollen Mills wishes you and yours a great holiday period and may 2015 bring you continued success.

The perfect Black Friday destination for Irish gifts

With the Thanksgiving turkey well and truly digested and the festivities of America's national celebratory holiday over for another year, attention turns towards the festive period ahead with less than a month until Christmas Day.

For many people, Thanksgiving signals the start 'official' start of Christmas and thoughts turn to which gifts to buy for friends and family. Like many online Irish gifts stores across the globe, Blarney Woollen Mills have a exclusive 20% discount on all products starting on Black Friday and lasting throughout the holiday weekend including Aran sweaters, Irish fisherman sweaters, Celtic jewelry, mystical Claddagh rings, Irish novelty gifts, classic Irish Belleek pottery and the much loved range of Waterford Crystal.

The Holiday Sale is exclusive to all online purchases on blarney.com and is the perfect all-in-one online store to make the Christmas shopping experience a whole lot easier. Browse through the extensive range of hand-knit Aran sweaters and exclusive range of Blarney Originals knitwear collection including stylish snood-style hooded sweaters and the more classic cowl neck Aran sweater. All Blarney Originals are produced with 100% Merino wool and are sure to become a firm favourite in your winter wardrobe.

The Tara Brooch - An iconic piece of early Christian Celtic jewelry

Ancient Irish Celtic jewelry and design has always inspired the craftsmen of today with a wealth of discovered artifacts over the years. Probably the most recognizable example of early Christian craftsmanship is the Tara Brooch. The Tara Brooch is an elaborately decorated Celtic brooch, discovered in 1850, which has been dated back to approximately 700 AD and is generally considered to be possibly the foremost example of this era of over 50 elaborate Irish brooches to have been discovered. It was found in 1850 and rapidly recognized as one of the most important works of early Christian Irish Insular art; it is now displayed in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

This early Christian pseudo-penannular brooch is approximately seven inches in length and is made composed of silver-gilt embellished with ornate decoration. It is suggested that the brooch was made from many pieces which were all put together to form the final masterpiece. It was made in many pieces, with much of the decoration on small "trays" or panels which were then fixed into place. When it was found only one panel of decoration was missing, but several more have now disappeared, apparently before 1872, when it entered the collection of the Royal Irish Academy, who later transferred their collection of antiquities to the new National Museum.

The design, the techniques of workmanship (including filigree and inlaying) and the gold, silver, copper, amber and glass are all of high quality, and exemplify the advanced state of the Irish goldsmith trade during the course of the seventh century. The brooch has a pseudo-penannular form. Like most brooches of the period, it contains neither Christian nor pagan religious motifs, and was made for a wealthy patron, almost certainly male, who wanted a personal expression of status. It is probably the most spectacular, and one of the best preserved, of several dozen high-status brooches found throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, but more commonly in Ireland. Although similar in style, each has a completely individual design in detail. Precious metals are used, but only semiprecious stones.

The name "Tara Brooch" would infer a direct link with the Hill of Tara, which was historically the seat for the High Kings of Ireland, however, the Tara Brooch has no discernible connection with the Hill of Tara or in fact the Hugh Kings of Ireland. The brooch, following its discovering on a beach in County Meath back in 1850, was given the title "Tara Brooch" as a way of creating a link with the majesty of High Kings of Ireland. The exact meaning and history of this Celtic jewelry ornament is still not fully understood. 

The emergence of Celtic revival jewelry in the late 19th century saw the Tara Brooch used as an inspiration to replicas and imitations. During the 1870's, the brooch passed into the possession of the National Museum of Ireland.

The Tara Brooch design and mystic continues to the design of Celtic jewelry to this day, with many modern stylists using this now popular Irish symbol within the designs of Celtic pendants, personalized Celtic jewelry and unique Irish gifts. The brooch became a popular piece of Celtic Jewelry that was worn by both men and women due to the practical purpose they fulfilled in fastening caps, cloaks and other clothing.

St. Brigid's legacy in Celtic craftsmanship and design

St Brigid is a revered and fondly thought of figure in Irish history and Christian mythology. Her influence has even crossed into the realms of Celtic jewelry design and appearance such as Celtic pendants and Celtic Cross jewelry.

Also referred to as “Mary of the Gael”, St. Brigid is patroness of Ireland and also founder of the first Irish monastery in Kildare. Born in Dundalk in 450 A.D, St Brigid is closely associated with the creation of a truly unique ornamental cross that has since been named after her. This unique Irish cross is typically constructed from rushes but it is also not uncommon for it to be made from straw.

The mystical power of St Brigid’s Cross, woven rushes, is its power to repel evil, fire and hunger from the homes in which it is displayed. The exact details of the cross' creation are unclear with no definitive explanation of just how it came into being.

The tale as we know it is revolves around an old pagan Irish Chieftain who lay delirious on his deathbed in Kildare; it is rumoured that he was in fact the father of St. Brigid. Brigid was summed to his beside in the hope that the saintly woman could intervene and cure the Chieftain from certain death. 

Brigid is said to have sat at his bedside, consoling and calming him and it is here that she picked up the rushes from the floor and began weaving them into the distinctive cross pattern. Whilst she weaved, she explained the meaning of the cross to the sick Chieftain and it is thought her calming words brought peace to his soul, and that he was so enamoured by her words that the old Chieftain requested he was baptised as a Christian just before his passing.

Ever since that fateful day and for countless generations that followed, it has been customary on the eve of her Feat Day (1st February) for Irish people to fashion a St Brigid Cross of straw or rushes and place it inside the house over the door. Many Irish people used to send the rush cross to their family and friends overseas as traditional Irish gifts to remind them of the Emerald Isle and help keep them safe from danger and misfortune.

This rush cross, which has since been commonly referred to as St Brigid’s emblem, has been used in Irish designs throughout history, with many modern stylists using this now popular Irish symbol within the designs of Celtic jewelry and unique gifts from Ireland.

A glimpse at the magic qualities of authentic Irish Crystal

Ireland has always boasted a long and illustrious history of craftsmanship in glass and crystal making. The origins of this great craftsmanship can be traced back to the early Celts who put their artistic talents to good use by integrating the pure white sands from the shore's of Ireland to produce beautiful glass beads and Celtic jewelry.  Over the passage of time, Ireland’s skilled craftsmen spawned a thriving hand-blown lead crystal industry throughout the country, which is still renowned across the world due to its quality and distinctive Celtic splendour.

Two of the more recognised manufacturers of Irish Crystal are Waterford and Galway Crystal. Waterford Crystal was established in the southern Irish town of Waterford in the late 18th Century.  The manufacturers in Waterford introduced stylish and intricate designs and patterns to its stemware that soon became synonymous across the globe for its exquisite crystal glasses and crystal gifts.

Irish Crystal at its very best, the Waterford Crystal Collection is known for its quality and beautiful glassware such as crystal wine glasses and waterford crystal decanters. The range of products  as well as its home accessories such as Waterford Crystal vases, crystal clocks and crystal picture frames.

Our collections include Lismore (the most famous of the Waterford Crystal patterns), Marquis, Fleurology, Colleen, Clarendon, Irish Lace and Pineapple.

There is always something mystic and magical about authentic Irish Crystal. Whatever design or piece you may be looking for, a piece from any of the Waterford Crystal collections makes the ideal traditional Irish gift and is a well-received Irish wedding gift that will be treasured forever.

The rich cultural history of Celtic Jewelry

It was around 500 B.C. that the Celtic cultural revolution took hold with the Celtic language and culture becoming prominent. The cultural style was very much influenced by La Tène, after an area of Switzerland where artifacts reflecting La Tène style were first found. La Tène artwork is commonly defined by curves and spirals; with geometric or abstract symbols, such as the triple spiral design, being prominent ornamentation.

Due to their intricate craftsmanship, many of these metal Celtic jewelry pieces have been discovered in good condition from that time period. A familiar item that has often been found is the Torc which are believed to be a symbol of status. Since Celtic jewelry is both decorative and made of precious metals, most jewelry discovered in the various archaeological sites throughout Ireland is considered to be decorative rather than practical.

It was also around the same time period that Celtic culture found its way into Ireland, the Irish Iron Age took hold, combining the new Celtic culture with the old Irish culture. While iron was used for tools, jewelry and other pieces were made from the visually exquisite and long-lasting bronze and gold.

Around 600 A.D., Christianity began to surface in Ireland. Religious beliefs mixed with Celtic and Irish art, producing a new style known as Insular art. Insular Art is famous for its illuminated manuscripts, the Book of Kells being the more renowned example. Insular art maintained the geometric, interlaced style that was present in La Tène art.

Many brooches were made during this time period. The Tara Brooch is particularly impressive, made of silver-gilt and decorated with filigree and interlace design. This style is repeated throughout Celtic jewelry. Irish metalworkers also created the Ardagh Chalice around this time, and it remains one of the most impressive Celtic creations, intricately decorated with the interlace typical of Celtic Irish art. While jewelry remained a status symbol, it was often infused with Christian elements, such as the apostles' names on the Ardagh Chalice, giving special prestige and meaning to some pieces.

Another offshoot of the Christian influence was the proliferation of Celtic crosses, which were particularly common around the ninth century. The Cross of Cong is an example of the excellent goldsmithing skills of Celtic artists. The Cross of Cong had high religious value when it was created, as it was initially made to hold a piece of the cross the Irish believed Christ was crucified on.

Celtic influence is still very strong in Irish jewelry today and is often a a great idea for Irish gifts and particularly traditional Irish gifts. The iconic Celtic Cross is a common theme, though historians and researchers can only speculate upon the meaning of the ring at the intersection. Celtic knot jewelry are also a familiar symbol, used today to honour Irish and Celtic jewelry tradition. Through modern Celtic jewelry, the masterful metalworkers of the past live on, in particular, Celtic rings and Celtic wedding bands.

The mystic of the Trinity Knot in Celtic Jewelry

As a familiar symbol of celtic and Irish jewelry, the Triquetra (also known as the Trinity Knot) originally referred to a "triangle" shape and was commonly used in reference to a range of three-cornered shapes. 

More recently,, it has come to exclusively signify a particular more complex shape which is formed of three vesicae piscis, which is often complimented by an additional circle in or surrounding the symbol. Within the realm of Celtic knot jewelry the symbol is more commonly known as the "trinity knot," and the design often utilized as a religious symbol by both those of the Christian faith and polytheists.

The Trinity Knot can often be spotted on various forms of Insular celtic artwork, especially on pieces of  celtic metal work and in illuminated manuscripts such as the much loved Book of Kells. 

Early Christian artwork such as celtic crosses and slabs often bear the Trinity Knot symbol. The symbol was rarely used as a standalone piece within the medieval celtic artwork and was often integrated in with other design elements.

Over the last century, the symbol has seen a revival in Celtic art and the knot has been recognized as singular symbol that has been used as a sign of special things and persons as a triumvirate. At Blarney Woollen Mills, our extensive range of celtic knot jewelry includes many celtic earrings and celtic pendants which are beautifully ornamented with the Trinity Knot symbol and can often make ideal Irish gifts.