The Irish Jewelry Company's Blog

“Mother Mary, during this the fairest month of all the year, may we always remember that you reveal to us the mother love of God and that the image of Madonna and child is also an image of God and us. Help us to see that God loves each of us with a mother’s passion, even greater than the one you experienced when you held Jesus in your arms. And, should St. Peter lock us out of the front door of heaven, please be on guard at the back door so that we may be safe with you, as the Irish say, a half hour before the devil knows we’re dead. Amen.” Fr. Andrew Greeley

Exclusively by The Irish Jewelry Company

Every jewelry gift from The Irish Jewelry Company comes gift boxed in our signature style, a simple white glossy gift box sealed with a satin emerald green ribbon and our gold label. Included at no additional charge is an Irish Blessing, toast or story card. If this is a gift included at no additional charge is a card for the recipient, hand written for that extra personal touch.

This design and it’s images are copyrighted © by The Irish Jewelry Company™

Ireland, Peaceful Cottage

Visit Ireland the Affordable Way….

April 19, 2014April 18, 2014 Kierand LLC

Peaceful Cottage is an Irish self-catering cottage in County Mayo in the West of Ireland. Centrally located to all the best attractions Ireland has to offer. It’s an Irish country cottage experience for the whole family. Enjoy the luck of the Irish for as long as you stay.

Our Irish self catering cottage is located in beautiful County Mayo and is situated on the West Coast of Ireland. County Mayo is Ireland’s third largest county. Rich in history, and panoramic scenery Mayo offers a huge range of activities such as fishing, golf, horse riding, hill walking, and a host of other activities such as an authentic pub experience. Traditional Irish music is still a big part of modern day Mayo and can be heard in many of the county’s pubs.

World famous fishing, Ashford Castle & Cong only a 10 minute drive from the cottage. It’s an ideal touring and walking location. Gateway to Ireland’s major attractions. Connemara, championship golf courses, Galway City, Westport House & Zoo, Croagh Patrick, Knock Shrine & Airport, the Burren, Ceide Fields at North Mayo – all within easy driving distance. There are daily boat trips to the Aran Islands from Galway City. The cottage is situated in an area rich in history and archaeological ruins, with many historical and archaeological sites to explore.

Peaceful Cottage is a family managed cottage giving it that personal touch. Perfect for families with children and couples young and old, who want to experience authentic Irish living. The cottage is both peaceful and tranquil yet close to all the local attractions. Our Irish self-catering cottage is an the affordable Ireland family vacation.

“Experience Ireland the Peaceful Way”

For more info on Peaceful Cottage visit http://www.PeacefulCottageRental.com

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Easter, Irish Traditions

Irish Easter Traditions…

April 18, 2014 Kierand LLC

Easter is the most Holy holidays on the Roman Catholic calendar. In Ireland the Easter traditions are many relating to Christ’s return. Some of the Irish Easter Traditions have come from old Celtic practices regardin New Image g the agricultural calendar more than with religion itself.

Easter’s glorious springtime arrival coincides with the Vernal Equinox. The ancient and mystical Celts associated the Vernal Equinox with fertility and performed many rites for fertility. Today for Irish Catholics and Catholics all over the world, Easter Sunday signifies the end of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of fasting for Catholics from eating meat on Fridays. During this time many people give up traditional vices like smoking or alcohol. Now a days people tend to give up things like Facebook and chocolate. I personally find giving up chocolate to be a great sacrifice. Just saying.

Here are a few of Ireland’s Easter traditions. To some Irish Americans a few of these Irish Easter traditions might seem a wee bit strange.

On Good Friday:

A complete “spring cleaning” of the home. It’s always good to be tidy.
No working with tools, in order to avoid spilling any blood from an accident.
Farm eggs laid on Good Friday are marked with a cross to be eaten with the celebration meal on Easter Sunday.
If you die on this Good Friday, you go directly to heaven.
Gather food on the shore, but do not go out fishing in a boat.
A child born on Good Friday and baptized on Easter Sunday will have the gift of healing. It was thought that boys born and baptized on these days should enter the ministry. Those who die on Good Friday go straight to heaven.
The Irish usually visit holy wells and graveyards. The Irish believe the water from holy wells have curative properties on Good Friday.

On Easter Saturday:

Go to church and drink a few sips of holy water, then sprinkle a bit on the family and even the farm animals for good luck.
Turn off all lights in church at 11 pm and light a Paschal Candle as a symbol of Christ rising from the tomb.
Bring the cinders and ash from the home fire to be blessed.

On Easter Sunday:

Get up at sunrise and do a celebration dance.
Gather your family and go to a hilltop to see the sunrise. Catholics believed that this is the Savior rising from his grave.
Alternatively, view the reflection of the sun in a bucket of water and then move it so the sun appears to dance.
A mock funeral is conducted by the town butchers with a dead herring. The poor fish is a symbol of the end of Lent, when some Irish folk once ate lots of herring, because it was the only available alternative to meat.
Gather for a contest called a “cake dance,” where the winner gets the cake.
Have a Cludog / Cluideog. This is a ritual where children collect the eggs and cook them with other food in a structure at the edge of the farm. Essentially it’s roasted eggs.
Celebrate with eggs as a signifier of life. Either color them or give them as gifts.
Have a feast with your family. Traditionally, leek soup and roast lamb was served.

Most of all have Happy Easter!

Celtic Holidays, Interesting Stories, Irish Wit & Wisdom, Mother's Day

An Irish Mother’s Letter…..

April 16, 2014February 16, 2021 Kierand LLC

Dear Son,
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive. I am writing this slowly because I know that you can’t read very fast.
You won’t know the house when you come home. We’ve moved.
About your father, he has got a lovely new job. He has 500 men under him. He cuts grass at the cemetery.
Your sister Mary had a baby this morning. I haven’t found out yet if it’s a boy or a girl, so I don’t know if you’re an aunt or an uncle.
I went to the doctors on Thursday and your father came with me. The doctor put a small tube in my mouth and told me not to talk for 10 minutes. Your father offered to buy it from him.
Your uncle Patrick drowned last week in a vat of Irish whiskey at the Dublin brewery. Some of his workmates tried to save him but he fought them off bravely. They cremated him and it took 3 days to put the fire out.
It only rained twice this week, first for 3 days and then for 4 days.
We had a letter from the undertaker. He said if the last payment on your grandmother’s plot wasn’t paid in 7 days, up she comes.
Your loving Mother,
P.S. I was going to send you 5 pounds, but I have already sealed the envelope.”

What is the Celtic Motherhood Knot and Celtic Motherhood Symbol?

The Celtic symbol for motherhood, the Celtic Motherhood Knot is a stylized Celtic knot depicting a parent and child embrace. It is representative of the Madonna and child. Combined with a Celtic knot it is a true testament to the enduring bond between a mother and child, faith and their Celtic heritage.

Celtic Knot Meanings, Celtic Motherhood Jewelry, Irish Traditions, Mother's Day

Celtic Mother’s Knot

April 16, 2014September 20, 2014 Kierand LLC

Celtic Holidays, Irish Traditions, Mother's Day

Mother’s Day in Ireland

March 22, 2014April 16, 2014 Kierand LLC

Mother’s Day Ireland is different than in the US it is on Sunday, March 30th 2014 this year.

In Ireland Mother’s Day celebrations normally take place on the fourth Sunday during the Christian fasting month of Lent. Mothers Day is also celebrated on the same day in the UK. Just like in the US on Mothers Day,Irish “Mums” are given jewelry, cards and flowers by their wee ones to express loads of love and appreciation for all the things every hard work mom does. Why not surprise your Irish mom with a little something for Mother’s Day in Ireland.

Celtic Mother's Knot — Celtic Mother’s Knot

Irish Blessings, St. Patricks Day

An Irish Blessing and Sayings for Saint Patrick’s Day

March 5, 2014February 18, 2021 Kierand LLC

Irish Blessing for Saint Patrick’s Day

May the leprechauns be near you,
To spread luck along your way.
And may all the Irish angels,
Smile upon you on St. Patrick’s Day.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long.

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door.

May St. Patrick guard you wherever you go, and guide you in whatever you do and may his loving protection be a blessing to you always.

Irish Sayings for Saint Patrick’s Day

Oh, Paddy, dear, an’ did ye hear the news that’s goin’ round?
The shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground!
No more St. Patrick’s Day we’ll keep, his color can’t be seen,
For there’s a cruel law agin’ the Wearin’ o’ the green.

Irish Toasts for St. Patrick’s Day

Here is a toast to a long life and a journey as wonderful as you are. Have a Happy St. Patrick’s feast!

Here’s to you and yours and to mine and ours. And if mine and ours ever come across to you and yours, I hope you and yours will do as much for mine and ours as mine and ours have done for you and yours!

Here’s to me, and here’s to you. And here’s to love and laughter. I’ll be true as long as you. And not one moment after.

Shop for all your Saint Patrick’s Day Gifts like Irish Jewelry, including Shamrock Necklaces and Claddagh Rings at The Irish Jewelry Company

About us: The Irish Jewelry Company was founded by award-winning designer Jennifer Derrig. The Irish Jewelry Company collection offers classic and contemporary Irish Jewelry including Claddagh rings, all handcrafted.

Explore The Irish Jewelry Company Claddagh ring collection today and start your own Irish tradition today.

Irish Traditions, St. Patricks Day

It’s All About Saint Patrick’s Day

March 4, 2014February 24, 2014 Kierand LLC

This Erin Go Bragh necklace is a true Irish charmer.

St. Patrick’s Day (Irish: Lá ‘le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially, but to some a derogatory term, St. Paddy’s Day is the feast day that celebrates Saint Patrick.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17. People celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green and going to Saint Patrick’s Day parades. Irish-American immigrants brought Saint Patrick’s Day to the United States. The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737. The first celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756. Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated by Irish and non-Irish alike. Regardless of ethnic background, everyone wears green-colored clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched. The NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade has become the largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the world, outside Ireland. In 2006 more than 150,000 marchers participated in it, including Irish bands, Irish firefighters, Irish military and Irish police groups, county associations, Irish emigrant societies, Emerald Societies, and social and Irish cultural clubs, and it was watched by close to two million spectators lining the streets.

Irish Traditions, St. Patricks Day

Who Was Saint Patrick?

March 2, 2014February 18, 2021 Kierand LLC

Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary and is regarded as the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick lived from AD 373–493, and ministered in Northern Ireland from AD 433 until his death. Pious legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, though post-glacial Ireland never actually had snakes. It is suggestion is that snakes referred to the serpent symbolism of the Druids.

St. Patrick is also credited with teaching the Irish about the Holy Trinity by showing people the shamrock and a three-leaved clover. Legend also says St. Patrick, while preaching Christianity, he drew a cross through a Celtic circle symbolic of the moon Goddess. Hence the Celtic cross was born. Today the circle of the cross or the Celtic Cross is viewed as a of God’s endless love.

Explore The Irish Jewelry Company Claddagh ring collection today and start your own Irish tradition today.

Claddagh Rings, Irish Jewelry, Irish Traditions

The Claddagh Ring

February 28, 2014February 18, 2021 Kierand LLC

The Claddagh ring in Irish is fáinne Chladaigh. It is a traditional Irish ring given as a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. Each part of the Claddagh ring has a meaning. The Claddagh ring hands represent friendship, the heart represents love and the crown represents loyalty.

The Claddagh ring design and tradition began in the small Irish fishing village of Claddagh, Ireland. Claddagh is situated just outside the old city walls of Galway, now part of Galway City. It is said that the Claddagh ring was first produced in the 17th century.

As the Claddagh story goes long ago a young man was captured and sold into slavery from the fishing village of Claddagh. Many years passed and he wondered if his true love would wait for him. Over the years he stole tiny bits of gold from his master to make her a ring. He fashioned a heart for love, a crown for loyalty and hands as a symbol of friendship. After many years he finally returned home to Claddagh. Upon his return and to his joy he discovered his true love had waited for him. He gave her the ring as a symbol of their love, loyalty and friendship forever known now as the Claddagh.

The Claddagh ring belongs to a unique style of European finger rings called “fede rings”. This name “fede” comes from the Italian phrase mani in fede, meaning hands joined loyalty used as engagement or wedding rings during the Renaissance.

Explore The Irish Jewelry Company Claddagh ring collection today and start your own Irish tradition today.