Celtic Jewelry: The ancient Ogham alphabet and its origins

Ogham, or referred to in Old Irish as 'Ogam', is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write in the early Irish language between the 4th and 6th centuries and later the Old Irish language between the 6th and 9th centuries. 

It is estimated  that there are roughly 400 surviving orthodox inscriptions on stone monuments throughout Ireland and western Britain. The vast majority of these inscriptions can be found throughout the south of Ireland, in the counties of Kerry, Cork and Waterford. Traces of the Ogham inscriptions have also been discovered in parts of Pembrokeshire in Wales. The vast majority of the inscriptions consist of personal names.

The earliest inscriptions in Ogham date to about the 4th century AD. It has been suggested by scholars that the Ogham language drew inspiration from a number of sources such as the Latin, Elder Futhark, Runic and Greek alphabets.

Theories on how this form of ancient alphabet originated can be categorised into two distinct trains of thought. The first theory is that Ogham was created by ancient Irish scholars or druids as a cryptic alphabet designed purposely so that it would be extremely difficult for those with a knowledge of the Latin alphabet to decipher.

The second theory is that Ogham was devised by the first Christian communities in early Ireland, out of a wish to create a unique alphabet for writing short messages and inscriptions in the Irish language. It is considered that the necessity of such an alphabet was due to the fact that Primitive Irish was regarded an extremely difficult language to transcribe into the Latin alphabet, so the creation of a unique alphabet was addressed.

Legend has it that Ogham was first invented soon after the fall of the Tower of Babel, along with the Gaelic language, by the legendary Scythian king, Fenius Farsa. It is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", based on a high medieval Bríatharogam tradition ascribing names of trees to the individual letters.

This ancient and highly distinctive alphabet adorns many pieces of Celtic jewelry to this day, whether it be Celtic pendants or Celtic earrings. Ogham is often used personalize a piece of Irish jewelry with names usually being translated into the ancient Celtic alphabet.

18 Carat Gold Ogham Pendant

An intorduction to Aran Sweaters for the uninitiated

The Aran Sweater is an item of clothing synonymous with the island of Ireland and in particular the islands off the rugged west coast. Aran sweaters are a traditional style of sweater that take their name from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland which are often exposed to the harsh weather systems from the Atlantic Ocean. 

Otherwise known as Irish fisherman sweaters, aran sweaters are distinguished by their use of complex textured stitch patterns, several of which are combined in the creation of a single garment. Originally the sweaters were knitted using unscoured wool that retained its natural oils which ensured that the garments remained water-resistant and wearable during wet Irish conditions. However, today most of the Aran sweaters and Aran Cardigans are knit with a softer yarn called Merino in the natural bainin (bawneen) colour and in other colours reflective of the Irish countryside.

• The honeycomb is a symbol of the hard-working bee. 

• The cable is an integral part of the fisherman’s daily life, is said to be a wish for safety and good luck when fishing. 

• The diamond is a wish of success, wealth and treasure. 

• The basket stitch represents the fisherman’s basket, a hope for a plentiful catch.

Every sweater is steeped in Irish history and every stitch has a traditional interpretation, often of religious significance, but mostly of life’s experience and journey. There varies symbols include:

Most knitting patterns were never written down just handed down from generation to generation using up to 24 different aran stitches with infinite combinations. We'll be looking further into the different stitches and their meaning over the coming weeks to give you a real sense of what it means to own authentic Irish Sweaters.

Waterford Crystal: The Encapsulation of Style and Craftsmanship

Waterford Crystal is renowned globally for its craftsmanship and stylish elegance. Established in the heart of the Irish town of Waterford, the origins of the crystal production dates as far back as 1783 when George and William Penrose started their business. The crystal manufacturers introduced some of the world’s most stylish and intricate designs and patterns to its stemware, Waterford Crystal is known throughout the world 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 crystal decanters as well as its home accessories such as crystal vases, crystal clocks and crystal picture frames.

The collections available at Blarney Woollen Mills include:

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

Derived from the Irish, meaning "great ringfort", the Lismore collection was inspired by the gothic architecture of the 800-year-old Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland. For more than 60 years, the Lismore collection has represented the best of what Waterford Crystal has to offer become one of their most loved collections.

Whatever the occasion, a piece from any of the Waterford Crystal collections makes the ideal gift from Ireland and is a well-received Irish wedding gift that will be treasured forever.

Irish Jewelry Inspiration: Meso Bog Oak

The first of its kind in Ireland, Meso is a new and contemporary range of Irish jewelry designed by Helen Conneely. With Celtic Roots in Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Helen’s designer pieces fuse the new with old to produce the distinctive style and design associated with Meso.

Combing ancient bog wood over 5,600 years old with freshwater pearls, leather, sterling silver, oxidised sterling silver and onyx bead, browse the wonderful pieces from the unique Meso Bog Oak jewelry collection available to buy from Blarney Woollen Mills when searching for that elegant Irish gift.

Irish bog-oak ranges in age from 3,000 to 8,000 years old when, believe it or not, the Irish climate was warmer and drier at that time in our history. Oak trees grew profusely throughout the island of Ireland.

Once the island's climate changed to a wetter and damper era, the roots of great oak forests lost their grip in the soggy soil and fell to the ground. Vegetation gradually covered these fallen trees. The tanic acid in the oak trees interacted with the decaying vegetation turning the oak black or a darker brown and preserving it for posterity. It is often referred to as black oak.

This decaying vegetation forms today's bogs. As the turf is cut the ancient oak is uncovered where it was lain for thousands of years. It is soft and pliable at first but as it is exposed to the air it becomes rock hard. Before the advent of electricity slivers of bog-oak and bog deal were lit to provide light in the little cottages while big beams were used for rafters and mantlepieces.

Bog-oak has been highly valued by wood carvers for centuries. Penal crosses carved out of this wood were sold to Lough Derg pilgrims in the 17th and 18th centuries. Personal jewelry and household ornaments were manufactured from this beautiful wood.

What makes bog oak so distinctive is its blackness, hardness, age and mystery and these unique features make it the perfect traditional Irish gift idea.

Great Irish gift ideas this Christmas

It may feel like we've just got over our Halloween celebrations but many of us are realizing that we have just over five weeks until Christmas! There isn't any need to panic just yet but it's a good time to start thinking about some great Irish gifts for your family and loved ones or perhaps novelty Irish gifts for your house-mate or even a work colleague... it is the season for giving after all!

To help you decide, the team at Blarney.com have gone through some of the more popular products over the previous 12 months from our vast range of gifts from Ireland including the ever popular Aran sweaters and Irish jewelry.

• Celtic Aran Hoodie - This mash of contemporary and traditional has proved to be a real hit with customers.
• Belleek Set of Four Mini Vases - This would be a great gift idea for those working to a tight budget this Christmas.
• Ladies Aran Lumber - A classic and elegant piece that is sure to keep you warm on those chilly winter days.
• Personalized Irish Pub Ornament - This personalized Irish gift is fun and it's got your name on it and you get some turf.
• Diamond Stitch Aran Throw - A staple for those chilly days.
• Aran Snood - This beauty made with Merino wool, and Aran stitches such as cable, diamond and honeycombs. One size makes it the perfect gift.
• Shamrock Wool Aran Throw - It's a staple which sells during the cold winter months with one size great for gifts..
• Sterling Silver Ogham Pendant - Boasting a simple yet elegant design, this celtic pendant appealed to customers because of its uniquely Celtic look and feel as well as the ability for it to be personalized.
• Shamrock Pendant - The Shamrock is the classic Irish symbol and synonymous with all things to do with the Emerald Isle. It has proved popular both in our shop in Blarney as well as online at Blarney.com. Shamrock Pendant is the perfect Irish gift and nearly makes it to number one.
• Muckross Button Aran Cardigan - This has always been a firm favorite best seller. Boasting 100% Soft Merino wool with cable and diamond stitches and coming in six different colours, this sweater is a twist on the traditional Aran sweater for women.

We hope some of these traditional Irish gift ideas can help make the decision process a little easier as the countdown the festive period begins in earnest!

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.