The Irish Jewelry Company's Blog

Celtic Holidays, Irish Christmas, Irish Traditions

THE WREN BOY PROCESSION

December 19, 2014November 28, 2014 Kierand LLC

During Penal Times there was once a plot in a village against the local soldiers. They were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the wren became known as ‘The Devil’s bird’.

On St. Stephens day a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old clothes and with blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole. St. Stephen’s Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian Saint’s day to commemorate Saint Stephen, celebrated on 26 December

This custom has to a large degree disappeared but the tradition of visiting from house to house on St. Stephens Day has survived and is very much part of Christmas.

Irish Traditions

Learn All About Irish Christmas Traditions, Blessings, and Toasts

December 10, 2014December 10, 2014 Kierand LLC

Want to wish your friends and family Merry Christmas in Irish this season? Well that’s easy simply tell them “Nollaig Shona Dhuit” pronounced NO-Lihg HO-nuh ghwich and literally translated means Happy Christmas. Today in Ireland, the most commonly used greeting during the holiday season is “Happy Christmas.”

Are you looking for a warm and heartfelt Irish blessing for Christmas? Try this Irish Christmas Blessing.

“The light of the Christmas star to you, The warmth of home and hearth to you, The cheer and good will of friends to you, The hope of a childlike heart to you, The joy of a thousand angels to you, The love of the Son and God’s peace to you.”

In Ireland, fall is the time of the year to make the house ready for the upcoming holiday celebrations. An Irish home is cleaned top to bottom. Special holiday Irish Linens are brought out of storage. Once all is clean it is ready for festive Christmas decorating and a cozy turf fire!

Did you know that “Holly and Holly Wreaths” were Irish traditions too? Yep, that’s right. No Irish home would be complete without the holly. Holly grows wild in Ireland and is used to decorate the entire house. The Celtics believed holly represented life and rebirth. The evergreen leaves symbolized life during a time when all else was bare and the red berries represented the coming of Spring. With the coming of Christianity to Ireland the berries took on a new meaning, new life in Christ. One charming folklore says holly is put out as a kind gesture to tiny fairies who might use it as a hiding place to come in out of the cold. Holly wreaths as a door decoration can be traced to North American Irish immigrating to the US during the Great Potato Famine.

The ancient Celts believed that mistletoe had healing powers. Its powers were so great that its presence encourage a brief truce among enemies. Hence the Victorian era custom of kissing under the mistletoe.

Do you put a candle in the window at Christmas time as part of your decoration? Well, guess what that’s an Irish Christmas tradition too! Candles in the window date back to ancient time’s laws of hospitality towards stronger. To have a light in your window on Christmas Eve to welcome the stranger meant that you were welcoming the Holy Family too. To have no light meant that you shared the guilt of the Innkeeper at Bethlehem who said, “No Room”!

In Ireland they have traditional holiday foods. The Irish Christmas cooking usually starts early with the making of plum pudding, fruit cakes, breads, and spiced beef. A traditional Irish Christmas meal might consist of roasted goose, potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, sausages, puddings, and yummy fruit cakes.

Don’t forget you can always start your own Irish Christmas traditions …

Most of all don’t forget to toast your family and friends on Christmas. Impress your family and firends with a “Wee Bit O Irish” this holiday season. Try this Irish Christmas Toasts In Gealic, “Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit.” It means “A prosperous and happy Christmas to you.”

As they say in Ireland on Christmas “May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas.”

Celtic Holidays, Irish Christmas, Irish Traditions

THE LADEN TABLE

December 5, 2014November 28, 2014 Kierand LLC

After evening meal on Christmas eve the kitchen table was again set and on it were placed a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveler, could avail of the welcome.

Celtic Holidays, Irish Christmas, Irish Traditions

THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW

December 1, 2014November 28, 2014 Kierand LLC

The placing of a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practiced today. It has a number of purposes but primarily it was an symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they traveled looking for shelter.

The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass as, during Penal Times this was not allowed.

A further element of the tradition is that the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the household and only be extinguished by a girl bearing the name ‘Mary’.

Celtic Holidays, Irish Christmas

Women’s Christmas in Ireland

November 28, 2014November 28, 2014 Kierand LLC

Have you ever heard of “Women’s Christmas”?
In Ireland on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, it is when traditionally the Irish finish celebrating Christmas. It is also known as Nollaigh na mBean in Irish (Women’s Christmas).

Tradition has it that women get the day off and the men of the house get to do the housework, cooking and take down the Christmas decorations. Women meet up have a day out and treat themselves.
Are you celebrating Women’s Christmas this year?

Celtic Legends, Interesting Stories, Irish Traditions

Celtic Butterflies

November 20, 2014November 23, 2014 Kierand LLC

The symbolic meaning of the butterfly is similar amongst many cultures throughout time. This delicate Celtic butterfly is a symbol transformation, inspiration, and rebirth. The rebirth is an important belief of the Celts both in the spiritual and physical realms. The butterfly in its miraculous way symbolizes transformation and rebirth. Celtic woman were uniquely aware of nature and would have be keenly aware of a butterflies metamorphosis.

Exclusively at The Irish Jewelry Company

Irish Christmas

Traditional Irish Christmas Plum Pudding

November 13, 2014November 13, 2014 Kierand LLC

Our traditional Irish Christmas Plum Pudding has had humble beginnings. Plum pudding was originally a porridge flavored with scraps of meat or fish, thickened with bread crumbs and bound together with eggs, fruit and spices. During the Tudor and Stuart period dried prunes were added to the pudding which became known as plum porridge.

Today it is simply known as Christmas Plum Pudding. Although Plum Pudding is not the type of food generally thought of as a pudding today by commercial standards. It is exactly what one would expect of a traditional old fashioned Irish pudding. Plum Pudding drizzled with Brandy Butter is the essence of Christmas in Ireland and is deliciously served with a fresh cream sauce or Brandy Butter.

Irish Christmas Plum Pudding Serving Ideas…

Nutmeg Sauce

2/3 cup sugar*
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add boiling water and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes until ingredients are well blended.

Brandy Butter

4 tbsp softened, unsalted butter
1/2 cup superfine sugar
3 tbsp brandy
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and beat with an electric beater until smooth and well blended. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm. Brandy Butter may be sprinkled with nutmeg before serving.

http://www.theirishjewelrycompany.com/irish-christmas-pudding.html

Celtic Knot Meanings

Celtic Eternity Knot…..

November 3, 2014February 16, 2021 Kierand LLC

The Celtic eternity knot an ancient symbol of an interwoven spiritual path, endless love and friendship. The eternity knot is a symmetrical knot that ties into its self without a visible beginning or end. The saying, “tying the knot” means to get married or engaged originates from the ancient Celtic custom of hand-fasting. In this Celtic custom of a couple having their hands bound together with an endless knot (or an eternity knot) in a symbolic ritual that binds them together as one forever.

Our Celtic Eternity Knot Necklace is very chic and cool. Featuring a contemporary chunky silver Celtic eternity knot center, this necklace puts a stylish modern twist to an ancient Celtic symbol. Exclusively by The Irish Jewelry Company. This design and it’s images are copyrighted © by The Irish Jewelry Company™

Irish Traditions, News, Press Releases

BIG CHANGES- The Irish Jewelry Company launches new website.

October 28, 2014January 15, 2015 Kierand LLC

Press Release – The Irish Jewelry Company
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Website: http://www.TheIrishJewelryCommpany.com

The Irish Jewelry Company, a fast growing online Irish jewelry retailer, today announced that it has revamped and re-launched its e-commerce and mobile commerce sites for TheIrishJewelryCompany.com. The new website’s features will empower online growth and enhance the customer experience purchasing Celtic jewelry.
The new site upgrades, put a greater emphasis on photography, content and social media and provides a more engaging user experience through wish lists, customer reviews and tags. In addition to the online redesign, IJC now offers a currency converter that will allow customers to view the jewelry prices in US dollars, British Pound Sterling and Euros.

The new website continues the Irish tradition of high quality jewelry design, steeped in meaning for both the Irish and non-Irish alike. Same great quality Irish jewelry and prices but now with $5.99 flat rate shipping! In addition The Irish Jewelry Company will now be offering order tracking, a digital ring sizer and an e-Gift Certificate.

Also featured on the new site is The Irish Jewelry Company blog http://theirishjewelrycompany.wordpress.com. The Irish Jewelry Company blog will educate and entertain you with Irish culture and customs such as Irish folklore, traditional Irish sayings and Irish blessings. It is you go to online reference for all thing Irish and Celtic.

About The Irish Jewelry Company:
The Irish Jewelry Company is owned by a husband and wife who are jewelry industry veterans. As a classically trained jewelry designers from the renounced Fashion Institute of Technology they have an uncanny knack for reading the trends and bringing you original Irish Jewelry pieces that keep you in style. The Irish Jewelry Company’s jewelry designs are at the forefront of the fashion trends and are so welled designed they have crossover appeal to all nationalities, Irish and non-Irish alike. The Irish Jewelry Company’s goal is to touch hearts with their design and to carry on tradition one gift at a time.

TheIrishJewelryCompany.com’s trademark is specializing in copyrighted original Celtic Jewelry and Irish Jewelry designs.

Irish Blessings, Irish Recipes

Traditional Irish Shepherd’s Pie

October 18, 2014October 22, 2014 Kierand LLC

This is what I’m fixing to make tonight. How about you?

Cottage pie or shepherd’s pie is a meat pie with a crust of mashed potato.The term cottage pie is known to have been in use in 1791, when the potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor. (The term “cottage” meaning a modest dwelling for rural workers). In early cookery books, the dish was a means of using leftover roasted meat of any kind (it was a recipe to re-purpose left overs) , and the pie dish was lined with mashed potato as well as having a mashed potato crust on top.
The term “shepherd’s pie” appeared around 1877, and since then it has been used synonymously with “cottage pie”, in America and Ireland regardless of whether the principal ingredient was beef or “mutton.”

Our families traditional Irish Shepherd’s Pie recipe was born from many a cold nights at our family cottage. Often in Ireland you can find a mix package.
Ingredients
o 1 tablespoon olive oil
o 1 teaspoon black pepper and or salt
o 1lb – 1 1/2lb ground beef
o 1 large onion, finely diced
o 3 -4 large carrots, finely diced
o 1 cup frozen peas (or if you’re in a rush just use frozen peas and carrots)
o thyme, finely chopped to taste if you have it.
o 2 tablespoons flour or corn starch
o 1 or 2 tablespoon butter
o 1 can tomato paste
o 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
o 1 cup beef stock
o mashed potatoes made w/butter and milk (6 cups, fresh, or store bought or leftover if you’re in a rush)
o paprika and grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions…
Pre-heat oven to 400°.
Sauté carrots in the olive oil until they get tender if using fresh. Then add the onions and sauté for a minute or two then add the chop meat. Season with black pepper, salt (I prefer sea salt) and thyme. Cook it all up until browned then drain fat away.
Add the butter and frozen peas. Sprinkle on flour or corn starch and mix well. Then add tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix is all very well. Then add the beef stock. (I also add a wee bit of stout but that’s our family secret…shh!)
Allow mixture to reduce down until you have a thick meaty gravy. Season to taste.
Remove mixture from the heat. Then grease up an oven proof dish about 9×13 with butter and add the meat.
Spoon the mashed potatoes over top. Your can get creative with your pattern. Add some butter and sprinkle with paprika and Parmesan cheese if using. Bake for about 30 minutes, really until the mash potato are browned on top.
Serve with some crusty bread or traditional Irish Brown Bread to mop up that yummy sauce! You can purchase brown bread or a mix at your local Irish Shop.