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.