With Christmas well and truly over and The New Year underway, it can be a rather gloomy time of year. We all need a little romance in our lives and fortunately there are next month’s Valentine’s Day celebrations to look forward to. No matter if you are buying a present for a lady or a gent, there is no better choice of gift than Celtic jewelry. Chocolates are full of calories, flowers may be beautiful, but they quickly fade, whereas an exquisite piece of jewelry, recreated from the Celtic designs of hundreds of years ago can last a lifetime. Anyone who has ancestors or relatives who are Irish, Welsh or Scottish would find such a gift particularly appealing.

The history surrounding St Valentine and his special day is very mysterious; he is believed to have been a priest at the time of third century Rome. The legend goes that the Emperor Claudius banned marriage for soldiers at this time, in the belief that single men made better warriors. Valentine realized how unjust this law was and continued to perform marriages for soldiers, defying Claudius, an action with ultimately cost him his life! However, February has long been a month associated with romance among both Romans and Christians throughout the centuries and there are many other legends relating to this famous saint. Whatever the facts, most people enjoy this special day and the traditions surrounding it.

If a proposal of marriage is on the horizon what better time of year could there be to pop the question? If either of you have a Celtic heritage, it will be an unforgettable moment if you combine the authenticity and beauty of a unique Celtic engagement ring with the romance of Valentine’s Day for this special occasion. There is no other culture so famous for their love of poetry, music, symbolism and artistry and there are many options to choose from if you wish to buy Celtic jewelry as a Valentine’s Day gift, whether it is a special engagement ring, a pendant or earrings. There is also plenty of choice for the gents, cuff-links, tiepins, crosses and of course, rings.

Birthstone jewelry is always popular and when the gemstone is carefully set into a Celtic mounting it is an especially thoughtful gift. If price is a consideration, many designs are available in sterling silver, is a precious metal which looks particularly attractive for Celtic jewelry. White gold and yellow gold are also popular choices, for those who can spend a little more.

The May Claddagh Birthstone Ring

This has deep symbolism of friendship and togetherness, the heart itself signifies love and the crown in the Claddagh ring stands for loyalty. This makes a perfect choice for a Valentine’s Day gift especially if this setting is chosen to be an engagement ring. Make Valentine’s Day more memorable this year, with a gift of Celtic jewelry!

Oscar Wilde was an Irish writer and poet born on 16th October 1854 and died in 30th November 1900. He was born to parents who were successful Dublin intellectuals. He did several writings in the 1880s and rose to become one of London’s most popular playwrights during the 1980s. Oscar Wilde is remembered for his epigrams, plays and his imprisonment and early death. While young, he became very fluent in French, read Greats at the University in Dublin and Oxford. His rise was in the philosophy of aestheticism where he was led by two of his tutors known as Walter Pater and John Ruskin. He had extensively explored Roman Catholicism and later in his death bed converted to it.

Oscar Wilde - Irish Author & Poet

After his graduation from Oxford, Oscar Wilde met Florence Balcombe his childhood sweetheart in Dublin; however she later got married to Bram Stoker. He wrote to her and later decided to return to England for good which he did in 1878. In 1881 in London, he had been introduced to Constance Lloyd a daughter of Horace who was a wealthy Queen’s Counsel. While she was visiting Dublin in 1884 at the age of eighteen, Oscar Wilde was lecturing at the Gaiety Theatre. He proposed to her and they got married on 29th May 1884 at the Anglican St. James Church which is in Paddington London. The Wildes preferred luxurious tastes even though their annual income was £250. They had two sons Cyril in 1885 and Vyvyan in 1886.

In 1895 the Marquess of Queensberry left his calling card at Wilde’s club which was inscribed ‘For Oscar Wilde, posing somdomite.’ Queensberry was later arrested since sodomy was a crime. Wilde was cross-examined for the moral content of his work and Queensberry was found not guilty while Wilde was arrested on charges of sodomy and gross indecency. He was imprisoned in Pentonville and then Wandsworth in London. In 19th May 1897 he was released but in poor health and requested for a catholic retreat which was denied. Oscar Wilde developed cerebral meningitis by November 25th, 1900 was injected with morphine; he was baptized by a priest into the Catholic Church and died on 30th November 1900.

With the approach of Christmas, many people turn to giving jewelry for presents. It’s beautiful, luxurious, and usually seen as a very personal gift. Aside from these reasons, Celtic jewelry adds a sense of mystery and culture.

Many families with an Irish heritage enjoy giving Celtic jewelry because it represents their ancestors and where they came from. Giving Celtic cufflinks to an uncle or grandfather would have deeper meaning than any other, since it represents a very important aspect of life: the past. It is a great way to show off one’s heritage while still dressing for everyday life and it would make a splendid gift.

Celtic jewelry can also be much more romantic than other jewelry, no matter the recipient’s heritage. A necklace with a Celtic pendant would make a great gift for a wife or other loved one. Many Celtic knots are meant to be representations of unending love, while still being aesthetically beautiful. Both Trinity knots and love knots would make great choices. Furthermore, these pieces do not always have to mean romantic love. They can also represent familial love, or the love between two very good friends.

Celtic Cufflinks - Perfect gift for him!

Even if the person you are buying for is not religious, there are many other pieces of Celtic jewelry that are symbolic of other things. Many Celtic knots are symbols of the elements of the earth, luck, or eternity. Almost any symbol you are looking for could be represented by a piece of Celtic jewelry. There are even animal symbols on some designs, which would be enjoyed by animal lovers and fantasy-enthusiasts alike.

It is quite possible you are not looking for a gift with any sort of symbolism, and simply want a pretty piece of jewelry. Great care is used when making Celtic jewelry. With the many unending knots and ornamentation that characterizes it; a sense of perfectionism is needed for its creation. This incredible sense of care results in a piece of jewelry that is unique and lovely, while still retaining that feeling of mystery surrounding Celtic jewelry.

Whether you are looking for a charming gift for a grandparent, a romantic piece for your beloved, or something handsome for a friend, Celtic jewelry is a perfect choice. There are many reasons to celebrate at Christmastime. Show your loved ones that you want to celebrate the wonderful qualities about them. Buy them a piece of jewelry that represents an entire culture filled with love and wonder. There are pieces for both men and women, and for the oldest of adults and youngest of children. People of any age or gender will love it.

Saint Brigid of Kildare, also known as Mary of the Gael (Our Lady of the Irish) is held almost as high in the esteem of the Irish people as St Patrick. The date of her birth is uncertain, it is believed to have been between 451 and 458. Her mother Brotseach, was of the house of O’Connor and is believed to have been a slave belonging to Dubtach, a decendent of Con who was Brigids father. He sold her mother to a Druid just before Brigids birth. She was born at Faughart and baptized into the Christian faith shortly after.

Saint Brigid is famous for her generosity to the poor folk, she was put in charge of the dairy while she was still a child and one story tells that she gave away all the milk and butter and prayed when she realized there was none left for the family. Her mother visited the dairy and astonished by the amount of milk and butter, praised the dairy maids for their achievements. Brigid loved animals and there are many stories of her kindness to stray, hungry dogs.

The Famous Saint Brigid Cross

Brigid founded a religious center at Cil-Dara, now called Kildare, which developed into a cathedral city, she also established a monastery and a convent for women and appointed St Conleth as pastor for them. Her other achievements include founding schools of art, metal work and illumination, these were also presided over by Conleth.

St Brigids miracles were numerous and included several which occurred on Easter Sunday. On one occasion a leper came to Brigid and asked her for a cow, she said she would help him later, as she needed to rest, but he didn’t want to wait and said he would go elsewhere. When Brigid offered to heal him instead, the man said that as a leper he would acquire more than if he was healthy! Brigid convinced him this was not the case and had the man washed in blessed water. The man was completely cured and remained in Brigids service.

Brigid died in 525 at the remarkable age for those days, of seventy five and was buried in front of the High Altar of her abbey. Much later her remains were exhumed and transferred to Downpatrick along with St Patrick and St Columcille. St Brigid is the female patron saint of Ireland and her special feast day is the 1st of February, this is the first day of spring in Ireland.

Considered to be the first stone built castle in Ireland, Trim Castle is situated about twenty eight miles northwest of Dublin on the banks of the River Boyne, County Meath. Reputed to be the king of Irish castles, it dates back, in it’s present form to 1175, when reconstruction work was undertaken by Hugh de Lacy. Unfortunately, Hugh did not live to see his project completed, as he died in 1186.

The work was completed by his son Walter and the great castle was finished in 1204. Previously, Trim began as a ring work castle and there is evidence of a large trench, post holes and bracing posts of the original wooden structure and it is probable this was also Hugh de Lacys work constructed in 1173 and burnt down the same year by Roderic O’Connor.

De Lacy was a very important man in those days, the king of England was concerned that he would refuse allegiance with him and declare himself king of Ireland. Trim Castle was built partly to demonstrate de Lacys power and intimidate the Irish people.

Trim Castle - County Meath

At this point, Trim was abandoned until king Richard II of England let two of his wards to live there, one of whom was to become Henry V. After repairs were carried out, parliaments were held there seven times in the fifteenth century. It was abandoned again in the sixteenth century until Cromwells army occupied it in 1649. in recent times it was used for the filming of the movie “Braveheart“.

The site of Trim Castle covers more than twenty three acres above the River Boyne. Somewhat isolated from the rest of the buildings, the main keep is eighty two feet high, (around twenty five metres) and has walls which are a massive eleven feet thick! By contrast, the four towers around it have thin walls, they were probably for the sake of appearance, or to provide extra rooms.

It was designed to withstand a long siege, having three levels with multiple rooms, including a chapel, quarters for a garrison, a public hall and huge cellars for food storage. it was probably surrounded by a stone enclosure with stabling and store areas. There were three towers built around this area for defense.

When extensive excavations were carried out from 1971 to 1974, as well as the arrowheads, silver coins, Bristol pottery and French wine jugs recovered, the bodies of ten headless men were discovered! They were probably thieves who had been made examples of under King Edwards 1465 order. Tom O’Neill has now made a complete study of the whole outline of the castle and its surroundings. Trim Castle is under the management and care of Duchas, The Heritage Service of Ireland.

Whether you live in Ireland or not, it is easy to enjoy many of the activities and traditions that make Christmas so special in this ancient country. As a people, the Irish really know how to enjoy themselves and Christmas is no exception, no matter where they live. The old Celtic customs were adapted and changed when Christianity reached Ireland and these, together with some more modern ones combine to brighten up the dark winter days.

In almost any Irish home you will find holly at Christmas, it grows wild in southern Ireland. For the Celts, holly symbolized life and rebirth. When all the tree branches were bare and there was no color or flowers, the red berries signified the coming of spring. When Christianity arrived it came to mean new life in Christ and there is also a lovely legend that the fairy folk would come indoors and find shelter from the cold in the branches of the holly. Good places to put holly for Christmas are above the door, on the mantle shelf, between the plates on shelves of a dresser or cupboard, or as candle rings to decorate the table. Any bride choosing to have a Christmas wedding could include holly in her bouquet.

Christmas Lights on Grafton Street, Dublin

A lighted candle is often placed in the window to welcome travelers and another on the table to welcome the Holy Family. After the Christmas meal the doors are sometimes unlocked and bread and milk left on the table for weary travelers, seeing the lighted candle in the window. In the many Irish houses that still have an open fire, a turf fire supplemented with coal is lit to warm the room and provide a cheery atmosphere. Turf burns slowly and doesn’t give a lot of heat, hence the addition of coal or wood. Chestnuts are delicious roasted on an open fire and toast always tastes much nicer prepared this way.

Handel’s “Messiah” was performed for the very first time in St Michan’s church, Dublin, the organ that he played it on is still there and it is often performed in the run up to Christmas, sometimes as a sing-a-long. Christmas is traditionally a family time and most places are closed for the day. A modern tradition which is great fun is the wearing of Christmas sweaters. It began as grandmothers and aunties gave unfortunate family members the most ugly sweaters possible as Christmas presents, but on the streets of Ireland it has become almost a competition to wear the most extreme and ridiculous ones possible. Heaven knows what the ancient Celts would make of it!

Where ever you are this year, Nollaig shona Chughaibh, or Happy Christmas!

The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary is also known by several other names, Carraig Phádraig, St Patrick’s Rock and Cashel of the Kings. It is said that it was here that St Patrick converted Aenghus the King of Munster to the Christian faith in the fifth century A.D. This is uncertain but The Rock is known to have been the seat of power of the High Kings of Munster before the Norman invasion and Brian Boru was crowned High King of Ireland there in the tenth century. Unfortunately there is little left to indicate their presence, as most of the buildings are as late as the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The Rock was gifted to the church by the king of the O’Brien clan in the eleven hundreds and became the seat for the archbishop, this is when Cormacs Chapel was built. Later in 1647 Lord Inchiquin led Cromwell’s forces and ransacked The Rock.

The Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary.

The complex is unique and is considered to be one of the most important collections of Medieval architecture and Celtic art located anywhere in Europe. More recently, The Rock of Cashel has found new fame as the setting for the Medieval who-dunnits by Peter Tremayne, the “Sister Fidelma Mysteries“. It consists of a ruined abbey, a round tower, the twelfth century Romanesque chapel of St Cormac and high crosses and churches. In the thirteenth century Gothic cathedral are a central tower, and living accommodation, there is a roof top walk accessed from steps in the tower. At the entrance to The Rock is the Hall of the Vicars Choral, this has been restored and part of it converted into a museum with exhibits of silverware and other items including St Patrick’s Cross. From here you can take a guided tour which lasts for approximately an hour and a half. The views over the plains of Tipperary and the surrounding countryside are truly remarkable.

Surrounding the complex are stone walls and there is a large grave yard with many high crosses, but unfortunately one of the largest and most famous, Scully’s Cross was destroyed by lightning in 1976 when a bolt struck the metal rod which ran the entire length of the cross. Not surprisingly given its dramatic appearance and unusual size, legends abound about how the Rock of Cashel was formed. One is that it was as a result of St. Patrick banishing the Devil from a mountain cave near Templemore south west of Cashel, as he left the devil is supposed to have taken a bite out of the mountain, this was too much even for the devil and he broke his teeth on the rock and dropped it so that it fell to earth. Although The Rock of Cashel is one of Irelands most visited tourist sites, the town itself has many interesting features including the GPA Bolton Library with many unique books which are not found anywhere else in the world. There is a Heritage Centre and tourist information office in the main street, which has on display a model of Cashel in the 1640s and a multimedia presentation in various languages, there are also Tipperary crafts for sale, all in all, this is a superb part of Ireland to explore.

There are so many amazing aspects to Ireland, it’s history, mythology, legends, wonderful scenery, cuisine and sometimes even the weather, but one of the most fascinating has to be the history of the famous Irish Celtic Cross. As you might expect there are various theories and stories associated with its origins which are so ancient it is hard to be certain which ( if any) are accurate, these are some of the best known stories and information relating to the history of this famous icon which is regarded as a symbol of Ireland all over the world.

The oldest examples of these remarkable crosses are believed to date back to around the 5th century A.D. They are very large with the distinctive circle set at the intersection of the cross and decorated with curves, spirals and geometric designs. Sometimes referred to as High Crosses the earliest ones are flat on the ground formed from rocks found in the earth. Later versions stand upright, the smallest being about five feet high and the largest sixteen feet or more. The circle of stone around the intersection was believed to strengthen the structure as well as being decorative. Those constructed in the tenth century often have a pitched roof at the top.

Traditional Celtic Cross

There are many famous Celtic Crosses all over Ireland, but considered to be the finest example is the eighteen feet high Cross of Muiredach in Monasterboice, County Louth. The name is from the inscription at the base which is entwined around two cats. It asks for a prayer for the person who commissioned the cross, Muiredach. No one is sure who he was, but he may have been an abbot who died in 923. The carvings are many and fascinating, showing various famous events from both the Old Testament and the New Testament such as Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, David and Goliath and scenes of Christ.

The Celtic Cross of the Scriptures

Another stunning example is the Celtic Cross of the Scriptures, County Offaly. This famous Celtic Cross is located at the Clonmacnoise monastery. It is unique in that it was carved from a single section of sandstone at around the tenth century. It is just over thirteen feet high and has been relocated in recent years to the inside of the visitors center to preserve it. However, a replica has been made and now stands on the original spot. There is an inscription requesting a prayer for Colman who commissioned the cross and Fiann, who was an Irish king. The cross is divided into panels each one featuring many Biblical scenes. These are only two examples of the many stunning Celtic crosses which can be seen all over Ireland and no visit would be complete without seeing some of them.

Whatever the truth may be of the origins of the Celtic Cross, it has died along with the mysterious people who first built them. However, the symbol they created has become synonymous with Ireland and is recognized all over the world not only as a religious icon but as a sign of Irish heritage. The design is frequently used for jewelry and is extremely popular for necklaces and pendants for both men and women which can be fairly plain or more complex designs, often set with emeralds, the precious stone most often associated with Ireland.

The Tara brooch is rich in cultural meaning and is one of the most important artifacts that are on display in the National Museum of Ireland. Dating back to around 700AD, the history of the Tara Brooch is enlightening, the piece being one of the earliest of the Christian era of Celtic Irish art.

The brooch is intricately designed with abstract decoration on a seven inch long pin of silver gilt or tin. The decoration not only covers the front portion of the piece, but also winds around the back to display some if the finest and delicate offerings of Celtic Irish art ever. This design is commonly known as Celtic knot work and there are many hours of craftsmanship in the brooch.

If you take a look at the white brass object with intricate sliver, copper, amber, gold and glass all intertwined, then you can see just how advanced the Irish goldsmith was so early on in history. The brooch was found along the sea shore of Ireland in 1850, and although the name, brooch of Tara suggests a connection with the hills of Tara and the mythology of the Kings of Ireland, it actually has no real connection.

Found in Laytown in County Meath by a peasant lady or her sons, although it is commonly read that the brooch was washed up on shore, the reality is that it may have been found inland. If the brooch had have been found inland then the owner of the said piece of land could have made a claim on the object, and it is for this precise reason that the exact location will actually never be known.

As the story continues and unfolds, although it must be remembered that it may only be fictional hear say, the mother took the brooch to an iron monger, but he showed no signs of interest, disregarding the treasure. From here it is said that the woman sold the jewel to a watchmaker for eighteen pence.

As a peasant, the woman was happy with her profit, but the watchmaker quickly discovered that the brooch was actually valuable and was an intricate design of what he then thought was silver and gold. Happy with his findings, the watchmaker then travelled to Dublin where he sold on the brooch Waterhouse Jewellers for twelve old Irish Punts, or pounds as we commonly know them. George Waterhouse in Dublin saw instantly the wealth of such a charm and went on to give it the name we know it by today, the Tara brooch.

The Tara Brooch on display at the National Museum of Ireland

After many exhibitions, the Tara brooch really had gained huge fame since the days it was said to have been washed up in the Irish Sea, and the jeweller made the decision to sell on the brooch to the Royal Irish Academy, this time for a huge profit at two hundred pounds. Since this time, many experts have studied the brooch and its intricate design, and the general consensus of opinion is that it indeed dates back to around the eight century.

Experts have been able to come up with this date when studying the history of the Tara brooch, as the design of the jewel with its intricacy has been noted as a phase in Irish Celtic art that indeed disappeared shortly after this time. The jewel is of course made famous by the gold filigree that is found on top of what is now known to be a tin base.

The Tara brooch is therefore not actually a jewel of hugely expensive material, rather a representation of early Celtic art and the intricacy of a design that has been mimicked millions of times since. The history of the Tara brooch not only fascinated the Celts or the Irish, but is indeed a story that is well known all over the globe by lovers of the finest things in Celtic art.

The Origin of the Celts

The Celts originated in areas of central Europe during the latter part of the Bronze Age, some two thousand years B.C. The earliest traces of their existence have been discovered in Germany, Austria and France.

In Austria as the Bronze Age gave way to the Iron Age eight or nine hundred years B.C. they established a culture known as Hallstatt. At this time there was extensive trading between the Celtic tribes in Bavaria and Bohemia and the Greeks. The name Celts is derived from the name given them by the Greeks, Keltoi, the Romans referred to them as Galli or Gauls. During the sixth century B.C. Celtic society changed with the progress of the Iron Age forming a culture called La Tiene. This was the beginning of the distinctive style of art that the Celts are known for, they had also developed more fighting skills as has been shown by the discovery of decorated swords buried with their warrior owners.

How The Celts Arrived in Britain

From around six hundred years B.C. the Greeks had transformed a colony in southern France into a thriving city then known as Massilia, now called Marseille due to trading with the Gauls. These were the glory days for the Celts who migrated to Spain, Turkey, areas of the Black Sea and at some point during this century they crossed the channel to Britain and Ireland where they were known as the Cymic Celts. A few hundred years later the Bronze Age had given way to the Iron Age and Celtic society was established. The Celts had become very powerful and by their sheer weight of numbers arriving in Ireland, the previous culture had disappeared within a few hundred years.

Although the Celts living in Britain and Ireland were skilled warriors and artisans they were illiterate and there are no written records of this time. All their knowledge and traditions were passed down by word of mouth, much of what is known was written by Roman observers of other Celtic races, (the Romans never invaded Ireland) and later by Christian monks who recorded the traditions of the people they converted. Ireland was divided into many kingdoms and the kings and noblemen participated in battles, if they failed at war their positions in society were jeopardized. The powerful warriors were revered and were remembered in myths for centuries.

Celtic Beliefs, Myths and Legends

The Celts were very close to nature, they placed great significance on events such as sunrise and sunset, the solstices and the equinoxes and there were four major festivals each year, in February Imbolg, in May Bealtaine, Lughnasa in August and Samhain at the start of winter. Surprisingly the Christian monks were careful to record and respect the pagan legends, St Patrick had doubts until a vision telling him to do so dispelled them.

There were many Celtic gods and they were all given human form most notably in the case of Lugh whom the Irish summer festival Lughnasadh is named after. According to Celtic mythology Lugh presented himself as the saviour of the Tuatha dé Danann at the palace of King Nuada, Tara. Seeking admission, he announced his skills one at a time, warrior, poet, musician, scholar, blacksmith etc, he was refused admission every time he stated one until he explained that no one could be skilled in all these fields unless he was a god.

The Dagda was the chief of the gods, he had a richly decorated harp which he carried everywhere with him, even into battle, finding that it had been captured along with his harpist, Uaithne, by the Formarians he became incensed and went to retrieve it with his son Aengus Og. As they approached the Formarian camp they could hear the sounds of feasting and peering through the doorway into the smoke filled hall they could see the harp hung on the wall, the Dagda called his harp with an ancient chant. The harp flew across the room to him, killing nine men as it travelled, the company became silent and the Dagda played a succession of melodies which ended with one sending the warriors to sleep. The Dagda, his son and Uaithne left taking the harp with them.

Celtic Goddesses were very powerful and feature prominently in Celtic mythology, one was Aine, the Fairy Queen of Munster, she was the goddess of love and fertility and controlled crops and animals. Another legend tells of the Fianna, a band of heroes led by Fion mac Cumhail, who maintained law and order in Scotland and Ireland. The Fianna tales feature fantastic interaction with the gods.

There is a huge amount of literature relating to Celtic mythology, a lot of it being rewritten in a more modern style during the 20th century and mostly very accurate to the original. The internet will also provide much information relating to all aspects of Celtish life, legend and mythology and is a good place to start learning more about this fascinating subject.

Now you have a better understanding of the rish Celtic history, witness the craft first hand by viewing our beautiful Celtic warrior collection. These designs were inspired by the Celtic shields of old and of course, the famous Ardagh Chalice.