Let’s meet the makers!
Warren from Coolree Design, Co. Kildare – Castle turret tea light votive
Nestled in the protected bogs of Kildare, Warren Hayes’ workshop was a busy den, handmaking this amazing castle themed surprise for MyIrelandBox members! We were inspired by the turrets of Dunluce castle when we worked on the design of these votives. I couldn’t resist sharing this verse of an Irish Rovers song with our members, so I asked Warren if he would write it on his card:
‘Once upon a time in Ireland, stood a castle proud and free,
On the stormy coast of Antrim, high above the Irish Sea.
Lords and ladies gathered nightly, in the great hall of the king,
Bread and meat and wine did flow, bards would play and poets sing.’
(~ Lyrics by The Irish Rovers)
Cleeves Chocolate Bar and Pouch of Chocolate Caramels – Hazelbrook Confectionary, County Kildare
Leo Cummins is such a pleasure to work with, as he is so passionate about his chocolate and bringing back all of the old time Irish treats that were absent for decades – he’s on a mission to bring them all to us again! Our members love his chocolate, as do we.
Sian from Wild Fuschia Bakehouse – located in the seaside town of Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal
Many of our members had been calling for another bread mix, and this one in particular they love, so we included it, adding a nice touch of Irish to their dining in November! What a treat to serve up for those celebrating Thanksgiving and for the November dining of all of our members! Of course, the whiskey marmalade was there to add some pizzaz to this bake!
Greetings from Ireland card – Fadó Antiques, Dingle
Walking in to Fadó antiques makes your eyes rapidly move to every corner of the shop: shiny Irish silver, paintings by Eva’s husband Pat, a grandfather clock that seems to look at me with a pleasant face, a set of cups and saucers that instantly set me thinking about tea in a little thatched cottage. Treasures galore! I spotted this old castle postcard (a unique find for our members) and I knew that that I had to send it to all of our members for this Thanksgiving castle theme!
MyIrelandBox – set of Irish castles in winter Christmas cards
I wanted to bring some Christmas in to this Thanksgiving MyIrelandBox, just to warm up our members, and so I sent a set of cards that I created with Edwin, my trusty designer here in Dingle! Nollaig Shona (Nullig hun-ah) is the Gaelic for Happy Christmas!
Nicola Smyth’s award-winning Irish whiskey marmalade– Big Red Kitchen
Marmalade is nostalgic to me as it was always in our kitchen at breakfast time. I picture my Dad, Owen Keane, standing up at the breakfast counter, having buttered his soda bread, and then going for a good dollop of Irish marmalade! I love Nicola’s preserves. Members enjoyed this Irish nostalgic treat with their baked bread … I love the whiskey kick!
Foods of Athenry – Fully Loaded Flapjack Minis
Our members really liked the Irish oat bar that we sent to them during the summer, so this month, we sent a pouch of the same bar, in little mini bites for them to share!
Behind “The Foods of Athenry” is an enthusiastic farm family. Baking deliciously healthy food for their own kitchen table is driven by necessity, but rooted in Irish tradition.
‘There is tradition in my fingertips, and the magic in my hands.’ Siobhán from The Foods of Athenry
Rachel Corcoran – Dublin
‘’My illustrations are inspired by my many interests, including Ireland and her inimitable charm and humour; old packaging and vintage botanical prints; cherished memories, and storytelling.’’ Rachel Corcoran
I love her illustrations and have admired them for a long time. I reached out to her about this card as it depicts what the Irish feel are necessities in the ‘treat’ department!
My booklet
Meet the makers, learn all about nature during the month of November and about our ancient Irish traditions. I included Gaelic phrases, introduced the next MyIrelandBox, we visited Ross castle in Killarney, I included lots more recipes, links to some of my favourite Irish songs and an extract from a poem that inspired some of the Irish castle surprises! I loved writing up this booklet for our members.
Marmalade Yoghurt Tea Cake Recipe
I really like this one and I was delighted to send it to our members for their November baking. It’s a great one to whip up and serve with tea if you have a visitor(s) or…just to enjoy yourself! It reminds me so much of the cake we baked in boarding school.
