Gift of Irish Belleek this Christmas

Belleek, which is the oldest craft pottery in Ireland and has been handcrafted here for over 150 years, is adored by people throughout the world, and each original piece is reflection of true Irish craftsmanship. Irish Belleek China is produced using only the finest materials and specialist techniques that have been handed down through generations and no two pieces are ever the same.

So as Christmas fast approaches and we all begin to think about purchasing Christmas gifts and keepsakes, we thought we would turn our attentions to the wonderful festive pieces that have been produced by those clever Irish Belleek Potters

This year to adorn our trees, Belleek have created a range of Beautiful Christmas Ornaments including Classic nativity characters, quirky winter snowmen, and traditional Christmas symbols. They have also produced special nativity figures and sets that can be display in windows or on mantels.

Alternatively if looking for special Irish gifts this Christmas, then what about Belleek’s enchanted holly biscuit jar, or their Christmas holiday tea for one pot or perhaps their Christmas hurricane candle holder? All of which is beautifully handcrafted and delicately adorned with embossed festive scenes and Belleek's signature hand painted shamrocks.

The understated and much loved gift of scented candles

Nothing helps to unwind from the daily stresses and strains of work, exercise and routine chores than to light a scented candle, bask in the aromas and unwind with a good book, some relaxing tunes or take a long hot soak!

Over the past decade or so the demand for scented candles has continued to grow, and research and surveys suggest that candle fragrance is the leading contributing factor with consumers when they decide what candles to purchase.

With thousands of different candle scents to choose from, and with hundreds of business and popular designers branching into the production of scented candles, consumers are able to be selective when it comes to purchasing scented candles for their own enjoyment or as a gift.

In fact, some of Irelands best loved designers produce their very own scented candles, all of which have wonderful aromas and some of which, like those from Orla Kiely are adorned with her very distinctive iconic geometrical patterning.

So next time you are looking for special Irish gifts for loved ones, consider scented candles from one of Ireland's top designer.

Irish Jewelry Designs and Designers

Ireland is renowned for its craftsmanship and artisan producers. Whether a producer of food, arts, clothing, Irish knitwear or Irish Jewelry, the talent and produce from Ireland’s designers and producers is unrivalled in quality and finesse.

The talent of Irelands leading jewelry designers, speaks for itself, with many creating contemporary pieces using twist on classic Celtic jewelry designs, and in doing so producing more modern wearable pieces that can be worn over and over again at any occasion.

So before you look for that perfect accessory to match your dress for your forthcoming special occasion or special Irish gifts for loved ones, be sure to explore what pieces are available from Ireland’s jewelry designers.

Aran Winter Woollies & other Irish Knitwear

Over the past week or so the air has got cooler and there is that unforgiving nip in the air. Winter is here and that means it time to don the winter woollies!

Whether a fan of traditional Aran Sweaters or the more modern style of Irish knitwear, such as the popular Aran hoodies and cardigans, it definitely is the time to start wearing your chunky knits!

Not a fan of woolly sweaters, then don’t worry, there are a whole host of other popular items of Aran and Irish Knitwear accessories such as snoods, wraps, beanie hats, berets, caps, fisherman hats, ski caps, mittens, gloves, scarves and even socks and slippers!

Over the past few years Aran and Irish knitwear have become increasingly trendy and one of the most popular choices of Irish gifts. As not just extremely practical for the cold winter months, it’s also hard-wearing, meaning that you will be able wear and re-wear your Irish knitwear for many more winters to come!

Countdown to Christmas: Irish Gift Ideas

There is just over 12 weeks till Christmas, the very organised amongst us will already be preparing for Christmas, stocking up on supplies and festive decorations and purchasing gifts for loved ones!

With this in mind we thought we would explore some popular Irish gifts and products from Ireland that have become increasingly more sough after in recent years.

One item that in the past few years has become a popular accessory for the home during the holiday season is a festive Irish throw blanket, available in mohair, lamb’s wool or merino wool, the comforting Christmas throw is ideal for snuggling up under on the cooler evenings during the festive period.

Other popular items being purchased more and more in the build up to the festive period or as special keepsake Christmas gifts are Belleek nativity figures and sets and Bellek and Waterford Christmas tree ornaments and. Beautifully crafted and available in a range of festive designs from snowmen to snowflakes, the Irish Belleek and Waterford Crystal ornaments are a special edition for any tree this Christmas time.

Michelin Starred Chef launches new kitchenware at Blarney in Cork

Michelin Starred chef Raymond Blanc was in Blarney, Cork last week to launch his new kitchenware collection, complete with a cookery demonstration at the Meadows and Byrne Store

Sharing kitchen secrets, hints and tips with a small group at the store located at Blarney Woollen Mills - the home for Irish Gifts, from 12pm, the top French chef is no stranger to cooking under pressure, having featured in numerous television cookery shows – many live!

A fantastic range from a fabulous chef, Raymond Blanc has just seen his latest TV show: Raymond Blanc: How to Cook Well air on BBC2 in the UK over the summer and the top chef was delighted to be in Ireland to show off his new kitchenware collection and to enjoy the Irish hospitality whilst he is here.

The new cookware collections are available in hard anodized or cast aluminium, the hard anodized range is a heavy-weight collection that features all essentials such as stir fry pan, grill pan and casserole dishes. Both ranges are dishwasher proof and carry lifetime guarantees.

Irish Jewelry: The use of St Brigid’s Cross

As mentioned before, there are many Irish Jewelry designs that incorporate symbols, objects and cherished motifs that are associated with Ireland.

One popular symbol that features heavily in the use of jewelry designs, especially as Irish Celtic pendants is the St Brigid’s Cross, which would be depicted in gold or silver compared to its traditional form of woven rushes!

In its traditional form it is said to thought to keep evil, fire and hunger from the home in which it is displayed, the unique St Brigid’s Cross is accredited to St Brigid, also known as “Mary of the Gael”, a patroness of Ireland who first created the cross.

The tale of how she created the unique St Brigid’s Cross design however is slightly confused and although there is not one exact version, one interpretation is that there was an old pagan Chieftain – some say this was her father – who lay delirious on his deathbed in Kildare. His servants summoned Brigid to his beside in the hope that the saintly woman may calm his restless spirit. Brigid is said to have sat by his bed, 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 baptized as a Christian just before his passing.

This rushes cross, became known as the St Brigid’s Cross and became an emblem associated with her. For centuries this emblem has been used in Irish designs, with many modern stylists using this now popular Irish symbol within the designs of Irish gifts, Irish jewelry and traditional Irish gifts.

Irish Jewelry: Celtic Harps and Shillelaghs

Many Irish Jewelry designs incorporate symbols and objects that are associated with Ireland.

The Celtic Harp for example, which can sometimes be referred to as the Irish Harp and is said to have been enjoyed by ancient Irish Kings who employed harpist to entertain them, is a treasured musical instrument and national emblem of Ireland, and features prominently in Irish Jewelry designs especially upon Celtic Brooches, as well as in patterns on many Traditional Irish Gifts, such as Belleek China.

Similarly the Shillelagh, a type of walking cane or walking stick that is sometimes described as a cudgel that has a knotty head and usually made from Blackthorn wood with a leather wrist strap joined to the handle are not only popular as Irish gifts but also feature prominently in Irish jewelry designs, especially as small replica charms for Irish charm bracelets.

Irish Jewelry: Emeralds & Shamrocks

Despite not being a stone native to Ireland, the emerald features prominently in Irish Jewelry due to their vivid green color. Once associated with healing powers and if legends were to be believed thought to have made their wearer more intelligent and witty – these intense green emerald stones adorn many pieces of Irish jewelry, including earring, rings, bracelets and pendants. 

A birth stone for May and traditionally a gift given on a couples 55th Wedding Anniversary, emeralds are most commonly used in Irish shamrock jewelry as their green color lends itself as an ideal stone to represent this national symbol of Ireland.

Shamrocks like emeralds have their own legends and beliefs, as it is thought that when shamrocks are worn they will keep you from harm and that they will bring good luck to those who wear them.

Traditionally worn on St Patrick’s Day, is its believed that the shamrock was brought into Ireland by Saint Patrick, who it is said, plucked a shamrock from the ground to explain his belief in the Trinity.

Shamrocks are cherished by Irish people around the globe and they frequently feature in the design of Irish gifts, especially within the design of Irish jewelry.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Tara Brooch

First discovered in Bettystown, County Meath in 1850, the Tara Brooch, which dates back to around 700AD is an elaborate and impressive example of classic Bronze Age Craftmanship, and which today is proudly displayed in the national museum of Ireland in Dublin.

Composed mostly of silver and gilt, and embellished with delicate interlacing patterns, the Tara Brooch is made into many different pieces before its assembled into the detailed Celtic Brooch design that we are accustomed too. In fact it has been said that when it was first discovered, all but one panel was missing!
The Tara Brooch takes its name from the Hill of Tara, which is traditionally seen as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, even though the Tara Brooch has no connection with either. However, the legend of the story goes that after it was sold by the then finders to a dealer, and then on to the Dublin Jeweler and a reviver of Celtic Jewelry, George Waterhouse, and it was he who renamed it the “Tara Brooch” to make it more charming.
Worn by both men and women due to its practical propose in fastening caps, cloaks and other clothing, today the Tara Brooch still remains a popular piece of Celtic Jewelry to give as Irish gifts and is one of Ireland’s most widely recognized Celtic Brooches.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Triquetra or Trinity Knot

If the intricate designs and patterns of Celtic Knots are one of the most distinctive features of Celtic Jewelry, than the Triquetra or Trinity Knot is one of the most widely recognised and common of the Celtic Knots.

A Latin name, Triquetra means three-cornered, and although there are many theories suggested for the definition of this popular design, what remains a common theme to each is that they mention the significance of three parts, which depending on your beliefs can be interpreted as Father-Son- Holy Spirit, Mother-Crone-Maiden or Mind-Body-Spirit.

The Trinity Knot or Triquetra adorns many Celtic pendants and Celtic earrings, and in recent times Celtic Knot Jewelry featuring the Triquetra have become popular Irish gifts and souvenirs from Ireland. This growth in popularity could be linked to the modern day representations and use of the Triquetrea upon the cover of the “Book of Shadows” within the America TV show Charmed, its use within the design of the Led Zeppelin Album – Led Zeppelin IV or maybe its use in the fashion label Lionheart Apparel Clothing.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Celtic Knot

Without doubt one of the most distinctive features of Celtic jewelry, is the Celtic Knot, with its intricate patterns and convoluted connecting patterning that is evident in all pieces of Celtic knot jewelry.

As one of the most recognized artworks in Celtic history; Celtic knots began to appear in history around 450 AD, and although there is no definitive explanation for them, it is thought that each one is connotative of some kind of unification, and that whatever the significance, each of these symbol’s meaning probably changes between tribes and locations.

Widely used in Celtic wedding bands, which have remained popular with couples throughout the years, it is believed that the Celtic knots used to decorate these, despite their differing meanings, all have one thing in common and that is that each interwoven knot design is symbolic of two different paths or souls intertwining with each other.

Examples of this are the Hearts Celtic ring with its intertwining hearts which is thought to represent the love, bond and compassion that we share with others, and the Infinity Celtic ring, with a continuous and never-ending pattern which is said to be reflective of the eternal circles of life.

Celtic Knot Jewelry such as Celtic Bracelets and Celtic Rings are popular Irish gifts because of their meanings and are often given to friends and loved ones as a symbol of love and loyalty.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Triskele / Triple Spiral / Triskelion

Continuing our discovery and explanation of the Celtic symbols that adorn and feature in popular Irish Celtic Jewelry designs, attention focuses to possibly the most convoluted and complex symbols to decipher – the triskele or triple spiral or triskelion.

Thought to be representative of many meanings, the triskele is thought to represent movement due to the positioning of the three arms or extensions that appear to be moving, in particular energy and the motion of cycles and progress. It is also thought that the three arms or extensions might be depending on era and culture be connotative for life-death-rebirth, spirit-mind-body and past-present-future to name just a few, and as representation of three Celtic worlds; the spiritual world, the present world, the celestial world.

The meaning of the triskele is diverse, varied and has many possibilities and this complex Celtic symbol remains a popular topic of discussion amongst symbolists and historians, as well as one of the more popular and well used symbols in the designs of Celtic jewelry, most notably on Celtic pendants, Celtic earrings and as Irish charm bracelets.

History and Meaning of Celtic Jewelry and Celtic Cross Jewelry

The origins of Celtic Jewelry are thought to date back to between 2000 BC to around 550 AD when silver and gold was used by Celtic craftsmen to create exquisite jewelry adorned with Celtic symbols.

As time has moved on the process of making Celtic jewelry may have been refined, but the symbols and meanings that decorate modern day pieces are style very much evident and the reason why unique, charming and symbolic Irish Celtic Jewelry is so highly admired and treasured throughout the world.

The range of delightful Celtic Jewelry available today includes Celtic rings, bracelets, pendants, Celtic earrings, Celtic brooches and charms ,and each is distinctive in meaning, style and splendour!

Take the Celtic cross, a timeless piece of Celtic Jewelry whose four arms are thought to be a symbol of the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water, and whose center ring is said to be representative of the Celtic symbol for infinite love, more precise god’s endless love.  Seeped in such powerful representation it is an ideal reflection of the hopes and ambitions of the Celts and why craftsmen of all generations are so dedicated to ensure each piece of Celtic cross jewelry is perfect.

Waterford Crystal: The Lismore Collection

The most enduring crystal-cut in history, Lismore by Waterford Crystal is known for its class, elegance and beauty. Launched in 1952 and celebrating its 60th anniversary this year (2013), is of all Waterford Crystal’s cuts the most cherished.

Guaranteed to add style and splendour to your home, any piece from the Waterford Crystal Lismore Collection, be it wine glasses, vases, picture frames or something more unique such as candlesticks or an essence votive will be admired and envied by family and friends.

The Lismore Collection takes its inspiration from the Lismore Castle, which is situated on a cliff high above the River Backwater near the Knockmealdown Mountains in the village of Lismore in County Waterford, and its simple cuts are as novel now as they were some 60 years ago.

A timeless Irish Gift, the ageless crystal cut of Lismore is perhaps the most famous of all Waterford designs, with its stemware being possibly the most popular from the collection.

Celtic Jewelry: The Meaning of the Claddagh Ring

A popular ring known around the world, Claddagh rings were originally part of the fethe rings, a group of European finger rings that date back to Roman times, when the gesture of clasped hands was a symbol of pledging vows.

Used as engagement and wedding bands in medieval and Renaissance Europe, this tradition lived on for centuries in the tiny Galway village that developed the distinctive ring.

Made and developed for centuries in the tiny village of Claddagh from where it gets its name, the ring shows two hands holding a heart upon which lies a crown. This motif is explained in the phrase: "Let Love and Friendship reign", an ideal poesy for a wedding ring used by a small community of Claddagh for over four hundred years. The three elements, the heart, the crown and the hands symbolize different things. The heart of the Claddagh represents love, the crown symbolic of loyalty, and the hands signify friendship. These symbolic meanings make it easy to understand why the Claddagh is still such a popular and appropriate choice for a wedding or as a friendship ring.

As well as the denotations of the distinctive Celtic rings design, how the Claddagh ring is worn upon ones hand is said to reveal the relationship status of the wearer. Traditionally, if the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the crown facing the base of the finger the ring-wearer is said to be single and not in a serious relationship. Worn on the right hand with the crown facing away from the base of the finger indicates that the wearer is in love or married. And again to cause confusion according to some traditions, if a Claddagh is worn on the left hand with the crown in either direction it confirms that that the wearer is married.

The true origins of the claddagh ring we know of today is shrouded in myth, the most popular story being that they were fashioned by a silversmith from Claddagh in Galway by the name of Richard Joyce whose own story is as illustrious as the rings he fashioned. Captured and taken as a slave whilst on a visit to the West Indies, Joyce was sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the art of jewelry making. He eventually regained his freedom on the demands of William III of England, and immediately went back to his homeland and settling down in the village of Claddagh, Galway where he continued on his goldsmith practice by making Celtic jewelry. The Claddagh ring became a particular specialty as a way celebrate his return home and as a symbol of his love for kin and country.

With its distinctive look and with such a romantic feel good story behind it, it is no wonder that the Claddagh is one of the most famous and popular items of Celtic Irish jewelry around. 

Father Day Gift Ideas from Ireland

Fast approaching is Father’s Day, which this year is celebrated in Ireland and the US on Sunday 16th June 2013.

A day to honour our dad’s or the men in our lives that we can’t live without – this year make sure you give your dad a gift he will treasure forever and give him a gift from Ireland that will make him feel closer to home this Father’s Day.

With Irish gifts such as Aran sweaters for men, unique irish gifts like blackthorn walking sticks, a belleek china “Dad” mug, designer Celtic jewelry cufflinks, personalized irish gifts like sliver money clips and exquisite Waterford crystal decanter or tumbler for his whiskey there is sure to be an Irish Father’s Day gift for even the most difficult of dads to buy for!