Let’s meet the makers of the lovely February surprises and learn a little more!
Clair from Meab enamels – County Westmeath
I was admiring these earrings before Christmas as I had a function to go to, and I thought they would look magnificent and very classy with my look. I found them light to wear and loved that they were Irish made. These Children Of Lir Dark earrings are a combination of blue green glass, black and ivory. In a round design they hang gracefully on the ear creating a look of class and elegance. The story of the Children of Lir is very famous in Irish mythology.
I asked Clair from Meab Enamels if she could make them for our members!
The Meab story started over 50 years ago, when a young Meab set out on her travels around Europe. She was inspired by great artists such as Faberge, the renowned enamellist. She was also inspired by local crafts people who were able to re-use materials to create unique and vibrant designs.
Meab returned home and developed her own ‘open firing’ technique utilising waste copper water cylinders. Meab and her daughter Clair work together in their studio workshop on their farm in the midlands of Ireland.
Harry from Harry’s Nut Butter – Dublin
Harry’s Nut Butter started out life as the house nut butter in The Fumbally café in Dublin 8. Harry has worked there since 2015 as a cook, tipping away in the kitchen, doing the odd workshop, organising catering events and working on tonnes of different food projects. In that time, he came up with the original Harry’s Nut Butter.
Not only has Harry created different flavoured nut butters, he has also created these vegan chocolate truffles and I just cannot get enough of them. A happy find they were whilst I browsed in my favorite store here on the Dingle Peninsula, a tiny shop in Ventry where Gaelic speaking is the norm. I knew I had to order some from Harry for our members to try!
Butlers Chocolates – Dublin
You may know by now that Butlers is one of our favourite chocolates. This honeycomb beauty is the one that we pick up when it glares lovingly at us when we are at the store.
Butler’s began life in Dublin’s Lad Lane in 1932. The company was founded by a pioneering woman called Marion Butler. Marion, was very good friends with my grandaunt Kit Maloney (oh what beautiful Irish (Gaelic) Kit spoke, and what a bright and humorous woman she was) and they shared the same nursing home in Dublin!
Butlers is still a 100% Irish family owned and they say that ‘everything it achieves is the result of teamwork and the pursuit of a common goal; to create the most delicious chocolates and to look after all of our customers to the best of our ability.’
Barry’s tea – County Cork
I know how much so many of our members love tea and had been calling for more!
Barry’s Tea was founded in 1901 by James J. Barry, grandfather of current Chairman, Peter Barry. Barry’s certainly is an institution not only in Cork but nationwide – in fact worldwide really. They say that they spent years perfecting their blends that have been passed on through generations of the Barry family. Barry’s proudly say to all that ‘since the beginning, our Master Blender has never compromised in his absolute commitment to fine quality tea. Master Blender, Denis Daly, has been blending our teas for nearly 40 years and tastes our blends three times a day to ensure that every moment you spend with our tea is as rewarding as the last.’’ – (He must be a tea lover! 😊)
Rachel Corcoran – Dublin
I chose this card as I loved the illustration and quote. I thought it would be lovely framed if our members had a little reading area that they like to sit down in with a book and I pictured this card there. Oscar Wilde was of course one of Ireland’s finest writers and poets. A playwright, author of fairy stories and political essays.
And now for our artist maker! From an early age Rachel was fascinated by art and imagery. She studied the History of Art and Archaeology at university.
From her little studio in her hometown Dublin, Rachel works as a freelance illustrator and designer. Her illustrations are inspired by my many interests, including Ireland and her inimitable charm and humour.
Connemara Marble Claddagh Pin
I spotted this pin and I thought it would be lovely for our members, not just to wear on St Patrick’s Day, but throughout February, as a reminder of ‘Love, Loyalty and Friendship’, to themselves and to others, the symbol of the Claddagh. The Claddagh’s distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart and usually surmounted by a crown. These elements symbolize the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).
Connemara Marble Love Stone
I love holding stones and I think these love stones from Connemara marble are really special. Did you know that Connemara marble is over 900m years old?
Handcrafted from that 900 million year old Connemara Marble , this love stone is a symbol of strength, love, loyalty and friendship.
Connemara is a region found in Co Galway. The word itself comes from the ancient Gaelic language and means “Inlets for the Sea”. It is pronounced con- uh-mar-ah.
Oscar Wilde described the area best when he said that Connemara is ” Wild mountaineous country, magnificent in every way – a savage beauty”.
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Secret Irish soup recipe
A hug in a bowl is what I call soup and here was my hug to our members! We love soup here in my house and within my family – is it the weather here that makes us want to cup our hands around a warm bowl of soup? Then again, I even make it a lot during the summer. It is just so nourishing not just for the body but for the soul. Our members have shared their soup making on the Facebook Group page and they absolutely love this recipe!
My Booklet
I say often how much I love writing this booklet and researching more about ancient traditions, finding all the knowledge that I can to help you along your journey of forging an even closer bond and connection with Ireland. I know that so many of you love it!
I shall keep up my good work for you!