Musings, ramblings and thought provoking articles from our team of talented writers - all views expressed are their own!
Ireland was influenced by Scandinavia long before Ikea built their massive shop in north Dublin. The first wave of Scandinavian invaders were rather different, however. Sure, they brought some interesting fashions and built a lot, but their ventures didn’t pull in bored families with a bit of dosh to spend. The Vikings were a pretty […]
April is a dazzling month to be born. The weather is still a bit unpredictable, but it’s improving. The whole world feels optimistic. We see more of the sun. Plants are coming back to life, and the earliest flowers have begun to bud and bloom. Who isn’t charmed by April? It’s such a hopeful month, […]
You may know the love story behind the original Claddagh ring. Richard Joyce was a fisherman captured off the shores of Galway and sold into servitude to a goldsmith. As he worked toward his eventual freedom, he designed the iconic heart, hands and crown motif. When he returned to Galway, he presented the first Claddagh […]
If you haven’t heard it said yet this season, you’ll probably hear it soon. Someone who thinks they’re clever will try to rain on your St. Patrick’s Day parade by saying that Patrick wasn’t Irish. Then, if they really like to stir it up, they’ll add that Patrick was British. It’s a very begrudging attitude […]
Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity when he converted Ireland to Christianity. Now those three leaves are one of the most widely recognized symbols of Ireland. But our beloved shamrock isn’t the only symbol for Ireland. Many are much older. Before Patrick, Ireland had a very rich spiritual life, and it gave […]
In March, all eyes turn to Ireland as we celebrate our patron saint Patrick. Around the world, the Irish, the descendants of Irish immigrants and the Irish for a day are all decked out in green enjoying the music and beverages of Ireland. But St. Patrick isn’t the only one with a special day in […]
While Ireland’s natural beauty tends toward the rugged, our arts and crafts are often extremely elegant and sophisticated. From the time we were carving elaborate designs on rocks to today’s celebrated Irish designers, Irish culture shows a clear fondness for nice things. And crystal is one of those nice things we love. We love to […]
In February, we’re surrounded by every shade of pink and red for St. Valentine’s Day. Pink and red hearts festoon cards and boxes of chocolates. Florists sell out of red roses. But what if your beloved just isn’t that into pink and red? What if she has Irish roots and a strong preference for green? […]
February is a short month, but the days stretch out with a little more sun every day. The first brave crocus flowers are pushing up to the surface, sometimes showing through the snow. Their cheerful purple and yellow blossoms promise that spring is on the way. February is a time for hope, and with St. […]
Not everyone dreams of spending their honeymoon on a tropical beach. Some of us find a very different sort of island more romantic. We’d rather stroll cobbled streets hand in hand and curl up together in front of a roaring fire than risk sun stroke or a heat rash. A frothy head on a pint […]
