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!

The Lismore Collection, Inspired By Lismore Castle

Derived from the Gaelic "lios more", meaning "great ringfort", Lismore was inspired by the gothic architecture of the 800-year-old Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland.

Ancestral home to England’s Dukes of Devonshire since the 18th century, the famed castle was once the home of Sir Walter Raleigh and overlooks the beautiful Munster countryside southeast coast of County Waterford, Ireland.

Influenced by the 18th century crystal designs of Waterford founders George and William Penrose, Waterford Crystal designer Miroslav Havel created the Lismore pattern in 1952.

The Lismore crystal pattern features refined diamond cuts - a signature of early Penrose designs – and a symmetrical series of upward flowing wedge cuts. The clarity of the crystal combined with the refraction of light through the cutting created what the world now treasures – the enduring allure of Lismore.

Visit Blarney Woollen Mills to view the Lismore Range available in our Waterford Crystal Collection
 

Blarney Woollen Mills The Story

Built in 1823, Blarney Woollen Mills was originally known as Mahony's Mills and provided valuable employment to the people of Blarney and surrounding areas. It was a water powered mill and it produced tweeds and woollens for the home and export markets.

In 1928, a boy of 13, like most of his friends in Blarney, began to work at Blarney Woollen Mills. His name was Christy Kelleher.

In 1951 Christy left to work with an insurance company in the city so that he could better provide for his family, But he was never a man to stand still and always had a little business going on the side. All of his seven children were encouraged to help him run his various ventures. He purchased the local cinema and turned it into a dance hall at weekends. He ran a hackney service and also had a 'vegetable round'. 

In 1967 he started a small souvenir shop in Blarney which he and some friends built as he did not have enough money to buy a property. (This 'thatched cottage on wheels' is on display in the grounds of the mill today.)

Meanwhile, business at the Old Mill had started to decline and it finally wound down production and closed its doors in 1973. The huge stone buildings became bare and empty and the machines were dismantled and removed. Five hundred people lost their jobs. For tow years the mill lay silent and derelict. Nobody wanted it. Christy visited the site many times and slowly the gem of an idea began to grow he would buy the buildings he had worked in as a boy and turn the mill into a visitor centre!

He 'did a deal' with the auctioneers and placed a deposit on the Mill only to discover that the financial institutions did not share his enthusiasm. His request for funds were refused. What a dilemma! The family agreed that drastic steps were necessary and between them raised the funds to purchase the Mill and later persuaded the banks to provide the working capital. 

Christy Kelleher was now the proud owner of the Woollen Mills where he had started his working life. One of the first things he did was to remove the big iron gate which stood between the mill and the main road. All the employees of the Old Mills had only been allowed to enter through a side gate, and Christy was determined that the ordinary people would now be able to go through the main entrance. 

The fact that the business prospered is a testament to Christy's dogged enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit. He was always there, with a kind word for everyone, welcoming the visitors and encouraging the staff. Nowadays more than one million visitors pass through these old stone buildings each year.

Christy Kelleher, this great man of vision, died in 1991 aged 76. He left behind him a thriving family company which still retains that Blarney spirit that made it all possible in the first place. Christy Kelleher, founder of Blarney Woollen Mills and one of Ireland’s most famous entrepreneurs, was commemorated by the establishment of a new Family Business Centre at University College Cork in May 2004. The Centre was called the John C. “Christy” Kelleher Family Business Centre. 

Today Blarney Woollen Mills is Ireland’s Largest Irish Gifts Store. We stock a massive range of Irish Gifts including Waterford Crystal, Irish Belleek Fine China, Royal Tara, Celtic Jewelry and of course Aran Sweaters. 

Over the last 30 years we have delivered millions of Irish Gifts worldwide. Our customer service is second to none. To see what our customers say click here . Why not Shop in Ireland from the comfort of your own home at Blarney Woollen Mills Online Irish Gifts Store.

Summer Has Arrived !!

It's a fabulous day here in Blarney temperatures reaching a welcoming 21 deg C !! Blue skies are set to continue for the weekend! Everywhere is busy today but particularly our ice cream shop, a true sign summer has arrived!! If you are planning a trip to Ireland this year why not check us out !

Blarney Woollen Mills - Gifts from Ireland