Dublin Traditional Irish House Party including Dinner and Show

June 30th, 2009

Dublin Traditional Irish House Party including Dinner and Show
Dublin Traditional Irish House Party including Dinner and Show
Price: $26.66
Welcome to the party! A traditional Irish house party is the perfect introduction to Dublin, with great entertainment and a warm and friendly atmosphere. You’ll enjoy good food, local musicians, storytellers and dancing on an evening out that’s unlike any other you’ll experience in Dublin.

Irish Jewelry and Its Romantic Symbols

June 29th, 2009

Irish jewelry is a timeless reminder of the cultural traditions of the Irish people. Its symbols and meanings are powerful ways to connect with your family ancestry. If you are searching for the perfect Irish ring, pendant, or earrings, you may be curious about the romantic symbols that give these pieces their charm and depth.

We’ve compiled a list of the most common designs found on today’s exquisite, handcrafted pieces. You can browse our list and read about the stories and histories that lay behind the intricate spirals, knot work, and other ancient symbols of Ireland.

Familiarizing yourself with the art and history that is an important part of your heritage will allow for a richer appreciation of your Irish jewelry. You will enjoy learning about the spiritual significance of the designs, and the way they reflect thousands of years of Irish faith and loyalty.

As well, many symbols carry a romantic aura that comes from the Irish storytelling tradition. There are wonderful tales of love and devotion that are an integral part of today’s rings, earrings, and necklaces. Here is our guide to the romantic symbols of Irish jewelry:

Claddagh Symbols - The story of the first Claddagh ring is simple, but profoundly romantic. Richard Joyce worked as a fisherman in Moorish lands, far from his native Galway. During his travels, he was kidnapped by pirates and forced to work for a goldsmith. Joyce became a skilled craftsman, crafting jewelry out of precious metals. During his slavery, he never forgot his one true love, Margaret, who also waited for him to return.

He crafted a special ring in her honor, which features two tiny hands, gently holding onto a crowned heart. These symbols were meant to illustrate his love and his continued loyalty to her. When Joyce was freed, years after being kidnapped, he returned to Galway, Ireland, and reunited with Margaret. She wore her special ring and remained together for the rest of their lives.

Interlace - During the sixth century, the master artisans of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales created a new art movement, that relied on the use of symbols such as Interlace. The Insular Art movement gave rise to many powerful works of art, and it showcased the unparalleled skill of metal work created by Irish masters.

Interlace is delicate knot work that appears in many forms of Celtic art. It can be found on High and Celtic crosses in Irish churchyards. It can also be found in historical treasures such as the Book of Kells, an illuminated text that depicts stories from the gospel. On today’s jewelry designs, interlace is often found in the form of Trinity Knots. The distinctive, trefoil design of a traditional Trinity Knot is meant to represent the Holy Trinity, and it is also a symbol of faithfulness and love everlasting.

Spirals - The gentle, curving whorls that adorn today’s Irish jewelry designs are a symbol of the physical and spiritual journey through existence. They are meant to represent a sense of balance that is universal and eternal. The spiral radiates outward from the center, just as we radiate out to the world around us, from our own spiritual center.

Whorls are symbols of life force and of the many phases of a human being’s journey through life. Each new circle represents a new step on the quest towards spiritual fulfillment and peace. Whorls that feature clockwise turns are believed to be remnants of Pagan Sun worship. Spirals that feature a counter clockwise direction were once thought to be to a part of Pagan magical rituals.

Shield/Warrior Symbols - The most famous examples of Celtic shield symbols are found on the Irish Ardagh Chalice. These symbols are meant to be expressions of protection and strength. The Ardagh Chalice featured the same shield symbols you will find on today’s Irish wedding rings and other pieces.

Today, the Ardagh Chalice is one of the finest examples of 8th century metal work in the world. Choosing warrior/shield symbols for your own Irish jewelry will reflect the brave, proud spirit of the Irish Warriors of that time period.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this look into the symbols of Ireland, with their romantic meanings and their timeless appeal. Whatever you choose, you can be sure there are thousands of years of cultural tradition in the symbols found on your jewelry design.

Leigh Maher researches and writes about Celtic jewelry, and specialises in Celtic wedding rings, engagement rings and bridal jewelry. Click here for more information about Irish wedding rings.

Respect

June 28th, 2009

May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.

Blue Gingham Personalized Irish Coffee Mug

June 24th, 2009

Blue Gingham Personalized Irish Coffee Mug
Blue Gingham Personalized Irish Coffee Mug
Price: $19.95
Irish Coffee Anyone? Whether you prefer Irish Coffee or Cafe Amaretto, this mug is extra special. It has a clean contemporary style. It will work in everything from a country cabin to a townhouse. The handle is designed so that you can hold it with four fingers if you are a woman. It’s a three finger handle for most guys with larger hands. Its capacity is a generous 12 ounces of your favorite brew. When it is full, you won’t find a more balanced and comfortable mug. This item is one of our most unique shapes. This makes a perfect gift for a special teacher or favorite coach. Matches the rest of our Blue Gingham Collection. Height: 5″”. Diameter: 2.75″”. Capacity: 12 ounces. Generous 12 Oz Capacity! Three lines of personalization.

Dublin Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl

June 23rd, 2009

Dublin Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl
Dublin Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl
Price: $15.99
Discover Dublin’s traditional pubs and wonderful Irish music on this 2.5-hour pub crawl through historic Temple Bar. Led by two talented professional musicians, you’ll visit famous pubs and bars, and hear the story of Irish music and its influences on contemporary world music. Irish pubs and traditional Irish music - it’s the perfect match!

Your Irish Last Name Can Provide Important Clues to Your Family History

June 22nd, 2009

Your Irish last name can tell you far more than only that your ancestors were from Ireland. It can actually be the key you need to pinpoint the exact area in Ireland where your ancestors lived. Because many Irish families stayed in the same general location for generations, it’s not unusual for a certain surname to only be seen within a radius of a few square miles for hundreds of years. Even when surnames spread out somewhat in Irish genealogical research, they still often stay within one particular county. If you know the area in Ireland to which your surname was common, you can often break through some long-standing genealogical brick walls.

There are several databases online that provide geographical links to many an Irish last name. One of the best-organized of such databases is found at CensusFinder.com. However, this website only catalogues the most common Irish surnames by location. More obscure or less common names may not be included. If this is the case for you, doing a Google search for your surname and including the phrase “Irish county” in your search terms should help you find the geographical information you’re looking for. There are also a wide variety of Irish genealogy message boards available to help you track down your surname’s county of origin.

One more important thing to remember about Irish surnames is that the name itself can give you important clues as to the history of the family. For example, surnames with O’ in front of them (such as O’Malley and O’Connor) mean “grandson of.” So, O’Malley would literally mean “grandson of Malley” and O’Connor would mean “grandson of Connor.” Surnames with “Mc” in front of them mean “son of.” Knowing this information, combined with being aware of the county of origin of your ancestors, can help you locate some of your most ancient ancestors and give you the clues you need to trace your Irish family into the present.

Are you ready to dive head-first into the wonderful world of Irish genealogy? Are you excited by the prospect of discovering new ancestors from the Emerald Isle, but don’t know how to start? Come to Irish Genealogical, where you’ll learn everything you need to know about uncovering your Irish ancestry!

The Mirror

June 21st, 2009

May what you see in the mirror delight you,
and may what others see in you delight them.

Irish Donegal Tweed Cap

June 18th, 2009

Irish Donegal Tweed Cap
Irish Donegal Tweed Cap
Price: $59.00
Classic Irish style in herringbone and houndstooth Donegal tweed.

Personalized Irish Fat Cat Bowl

June 17th, 2009

Personalized Irish Fat Cat Bowl
Personalized Irish Fat Cat Bowl
Price: $19.95
Our Classic Personalized Irish Fat Cat Bowl! We have been making personalized pet dishes longer and better than anybody else. Our Irish Fat Cat Bowl pattern is a classic. This 5″” pet bowl is made from heavy weighted stoneware and it is built to last a life time. The finished product is decorated and personalized in America. Make sure that the Irish Fat Cats that you love have their very own personalized pet dish. Height: 2.5″”. Diameter: 5.25″”. Made of Rock Solid Stoneware. Microwave and Dishwasher Safe.

South West of Ireland Small Group Jeep Tour from Dublin (5 days)

June 16th, 2009

South West of Ireland Small Group Jeep Tour from Dublin (5 days)
South West of Ireland Small Group Jeep Tour from Dublin (5 days)
Price: $971.82
On this tour you will reach areas that are totally remote, stunningly beautiful, rich in history and heritage, away from mainstream tourism and not in any guide book. The trips are informative, visiting some of Ireland’s hidden historical treasures, finding out about the rich historical heritage and perfect for those visiting Ireland for the first time. Meet the locals and witness a traditional way of life that still survives today.