Pocket Watches Pocket watches are one of the most popular items in our Galway store. They are a much-appreciated gift and tend to be kept for a long time. The tradition of carrying a pocket watch goes back further than you might think. There are references to “Pocket Clocks” as […]
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As the theory goes, St. Patrick took a symbol important to the pagans, the circular sun symbol and blended it with a Christian cross to make a Celtic Cross. He used the Celtic Cross to introduce Christianity to Ireland’s population while encouraging them to take some oftheir pagan beliefs about […]
One of Ireland’s most famous design classics is the Claddagh Ring. The design is comprised of a Heart symbolising Love, Hands for Friendship and Crown for Loyalty. If the ring is worn with the Heart facing inward it means the wearer’s Heart is taken. Worn with the Heart facing outwards […]
THE CLIFFS OF MOHER WERE MADE FOR A MOVIE (allegedly!) Nobody talked about the Cliffs of Moher before 1965 – BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T EXIST! Walt Disney had wanted to make a movie about The White Cliffs of Dover but couldn’t get permission to film there. The Irish Government were hungry […]
If you’re ever feeling old beyond your years, just remember that Connemara marble is over 600 million years old so you’re not doing too badly. Connemara is a region just outside Galway city in the West of Ireland. It’s home to Irish-speaking communities, rare flora and fauna and Connemara marble. […]
We have noticed a much stronger demand for cufflinks over the last few years. The shirts with fold-over double cuffs are very much in fashion and can be beautifully accessorised with a nice pair of cufflinks. Cufflinks, in the past were the preserve of an older, may I say “Posher” […]
In 1759, a young Arthur Guinness signed a 9000-year lease for a disused brewery at St.James’ Gate in Dublin, where production began in earnest of “the black stuff”. Arthur went on to father 21 children, “brewers droop” wasn’t an issue! It’s often said that Guinness has one of the best […]
Hurling, lovingly known as the “fastest game on grass” is an Irish sport that’s been played for over 3000 years. There are two teams of 15 players (called “hurlers”) and two H-shaped goals, similar to rugby. The object of the game is to get the ball (the “sliotar”) over the […]
We’ve had explorers and navigators zig zagging across the globe for thousands of years. They were just going to have a look around and had no intention of conquering places (unlike some of our European neighbours!). One of the first forays overseas was trying to return St Patrick to where […]
We had an abundant supply of snakes in Ireland until 1972. We had Adders and Vipers, Asps and Constrictors, Rattlesnakes and Cobras. You couldn’t turn over a rock without disturbing a snake. Every patch of long grass contained a hiss or a rattle. It didn’t matter very much because the […]
