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.
Blarney Woollen Mills was established in 1823 and is the largest Irish gift store in the world.
Friday, 18 October 2013
Friday, 11 October 2013
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!
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!
Friday, 27 September 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 20 September 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 6 September 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 23 August 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 16 August 2013
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)