Longford – A county worth a second look

Posted on: October 21st, 2011 by Sine Treanor No Comments

While many people would not automatically associate Longford and tourism, the county does have a huge amount of amenities to offer. In fact there are many reasons why people should take a break in Longford, and below are just a few of them.

Longford’s central location makes it ideal for a midweek or weekend break. The county is just 90 minutes from Dublin, Galway and Enniskillen, and is an hour from Sligo. The shortened journey allowing holiday makers extra time to enjoy their stay.

With the River Shannon flowing along the eastern side of the county, Longford offers the perfect launch pad for a number of popular water sports. Ballymahon offers kayaking on the river Inny, Lanesborough provides rowing on the Shannon and the county’s two diving clubs teach snorkelling. Jet skis, lake boats and water skiers are just some of the sights witnessed on the county’s waterways.

Ballymahon Kayaking

Longford has also long been regarded as a fisherman’s paradise. Fishermen can choose from over 60 lakes, rivers and canals. There are literally 100’s of miles of river in this little county. Not to mention acres of Bogland should you be interested in examining the flora and fauna of Ireland’s magnificent wilderness.

And of course, as in any scenic area, you will always find an avid walker who will make the most of Longford’s tranquillity. Hikers can avail of a number of hidden walking routes and trails. Special tours can also be arranged.

Of course it’s not all about the wild and the wet. For theatre goers or those who simply like a good night out, the Backstage Theatre in Longford town is a definite must. Established in 1995, this state-of-the-art facility boasts a varied and entertaining programme all year round. Likewise, golfers will find every reason to visit Co Longford – it has no less than nine great golf courses. Pitch and Putt is also one of the county’s most popular activities, and an award winning course can be found at Murrayfield.

The county has a rich cultural tradition, and among its number of historical sites are Ballinamuck, the site of the 1798 battle, and the Corlea Heritage Centre, where the Iron Age trackway dates back to 148 BC.

For almost three decades, the county has been associated with success in the prestigious Tidy Town awards, with both Ardagh and Newtowncashel winning in the past. So you see, there are a plethora of good reasons to visit this lovely midlands county. There really is something for everyone!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Explore Ireland | No Comments »

The Book of Kells

Posted on: October 6th, 2011 by Sine Treanor No Comments

The Book of Kells is considered one of Ireland’s national treasures and it is a religious book that illustrates the gospels of Christ and highlights the history of the Celtic people. This unique manuscript was created during the middle ages around 800 A.D. What makes the Books of Kells such a noteworthy historical time honored prize is the graphic detail that was used to decorate the manuscript.
The Book of Kells
The Irish monks that collaborated on this project drew exquisite drawings on all of the pages of the text except for two. They used Christian and Irish iconography to help illustrate the story of Jesus Christ to many uneducated Irish people of the time. Keeping in mind that only a select few people were able to read during the Middle Ages and the authors (who were mostly monks) had to use a lot of illustrations to get their meaning across.

The book was created at the Abby of Kells by a few monks that were fortunate enough to work on the piece over many years. The monks from the Abby of Kells had access to an abundance of fine inks and dyes which allowed them to create a multitude of colors and hues for most parts of the book. They also used a substance called iron gall ink which was commonly used for writing. Some of the pages of the book have a 3-D like quality about them and they appear to jump right off of the pages.

Drawings of people, animals and mythical beasts from Celtic tradition were created by the monks. The book also contains 340 folios which were four-sectioned pages of a book that contained a drawing or picture in each part.

Isular art is the name of the art form that has its origins in the Book of Kells. Insular art means “island art” and this form of art is still inspiring contemporary Irish people with its style and appeal. The Book of Kells is so influential that most of the Irish jewelry that is being crafted today has its roots in the designs and techniques that were used to make this manuscript. Jewelers look to the pages of the Book of Kells to generate authentic Irish necklaces, rings, broaches and earrings. Anyone can immediately tell whether a piece is an authentic Irish creation simply by examining it and comparing it to the style and artwork found within the Book of Kells.

Many of the manuscripts letters, calligraphy styles, unique iconic forms and pictures are displayed on many jewelry pieces. The Book of Kells has so much elaborate artwork and detail that it would take many years to decipher and use each individual artistic creation in the jewelry making process. The Book of Kells Insular art form is a standard for many artists within the nation of Ireland, for Celtic artist all around the world and for Irish jewelers that take their craft seriously.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Celtic Articles | No Comments »

The Claddagh Diamond Heart

Posted on: September 22nd, 2011 by Steven Forsyth No Comments

If you love Celtic jewelry like I do, then you probably already know all about the Claddagh. If you are just discovering Celtic jewelry, then maybe you don’t yet know the meaning and history this iconic Celtic symbol. So here’s brief little primer.

Understanding the Claddagh
The Claddagh symbol is one of the most popular Celtic symbols. It features two hands holding a heart wearing a crown. The emblem represents love, friendship and loyalty. No one knows for certain the true origin of the Claddagh, but legend says it was created by an Irish goldsmith who was reunited with his long lost true love. Ever after, the Claddagh has been exchanged between lovers and has become a symbol of true love.

Claddagh Diamond Heart Ring

Claddagh Diamond Heart Ring

The Claddagh is used throughout Celtic jewelry, but no piece better embodies the symbolism of the emblem than the Claddagh Diamond Heart ring. This ring can be used as a wedding ring, an engagement ring, a promise ring or simply as a gift from one lover to the other. Anyone who loves Celtic jewelry will love this ring because it not only shows that they are loved, it also shows ethnic pride in a Celtic heritage.

A woman doesn’t have to be in a romantic relationship to wear a Claddagh ring, however. Traditionally, single women who are open to love can also wear the ring on their right hand. So whether you are looking for a ring for the woman of your dreams or the woman in the mirror, the Claddagh Diamond Heart is just right.

Author: Steven Forsyth from Celtic Rings Ltd

Tags: , ,
Posted in Product Reviews | No Comments »

Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre

Posted on: September 13th, 2011 by Sine Treanor No Comments

Living, as we do, in the midlands there is always something to see and do. My husband was the one who suggested our latest outing – something that is very close to his heart – Alcohol! More specifically, he wanted to visit the place where Tullamore Dew Whiskey is distilled.

I’m sure all of you are aware, that Ireland has a rich tradition (along with Scotland) of distilling whiskey (or whisky as its spelt by our Scottish brethren) that dates back hundreds of years.
Tullamore Dew has been blended in Tullamore, County Offaly since 1829 and the name derives from Mr Daniel E Williams; one of the first employee’s in the concern – hence the moniker DEW. Nowadays it is one of the top Irish selling whiskeys in the world but back in the day it was merely one of hundreds of cottage type industries dotted around the country distilling spirits for the working men after a hard days labour in the fields.

Tullamore Dew Distillery

Tullamore Dew Distillery - Heritage Center

Tullamore Dew has a wonderful visitor centre which we stopped by last week. They bill themselves as one of the best distillery tours of Ireland and they certainly lived up to their promise. On entering we were treated to a short video presentation that gave us some brief background about the locality and history of the place – then it was on to the self guided tour of the main facility itself. My husband and I prefer tours this way as we can linger longer on various attractions if we wish and are not ushered on before finishing looking at the memorabilia. However, there is a guided tour available for those that prefer it.

The tour itself has it all! Whether you want to grind barley in their Quern stone, watch the in-house bee’s at work in the resident bee hive (really!) or just have a look at all the old customs books from years gone by, you can really lose yourself in what was one of the first businesses to put Tullamore on the map nationally. On the first floor they have what is called the Town and Canal exhibition. Here you will find all sorts of old artefacts from Tullamore Dew through the years.

The tour culminates in what my husband was most excited about – the tasting! One of the Tullamore Dew team pours and explains the history and thinking behind this world class spirit. There is a selection to choose from. I tried some Irish Mist Liqueur. A whiskey liqueur flavoured with Honey. Delicious!

There is a lovely gift shop where one can purchase quite a few of these whiskeys including some of their aged range – but be careful … the older the bottle the bigger the price!

Based on the canal at the far end (toward the Athlone direction) of the town of Tullamore – the Tullamore Dew distillery is a great way to while away a couple of hours in County Offaly and at a cost of less than Euro 7 (less than $10) it’s a truly affordable afternoon out of the house…,for husbands too!

Author: Sine Treanor from Celtic Rings Ltd

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Explore Ireland | No Comments »

Introducing the Infinity Wedding Ring

Posted on: September 9th, 2011 by Steven Forsyth No Comments

The thing that makes true love true is its never-ending quality. After all, it’s the ‘happily ever after’ that makes the fairy tale a fairy tale. That’s why the infinity symbol is a perfect representation for romantic love — the kind that lasts for an eternity.

The infinity symbol, which looks like the number eight on its side, is one of the most widely recognized symbols worldwide. It is commonly used in Celtic jewelry and art, but is also used in many other cultures and in mathematics. I love any jewelry that incorporates the infinity symbol, but one of my favorites is the Infinity White Gold With Trim band.

Infinity White Gold with Yellow Gold Trim

Celtic Infinity Wedding Ring

No jewelry is quite as romantic as a ring. Whether it’s a wedding ring, a promise ring or a “just because” ring, there is no better why to say “I love you.” A ring that features an infinity design is that much more romantic because it says “I love you forever.” These days, forever is rare and precious and should be celebrated.

The beauty of the Infinity wedding ring is that it can be worn by either a man or a woman. This universal design features a white gold infinity motif edged in yellow gold trim. The mixed metals makes matching easy and appeals to all tastes. While it has the distinct charm of Celtic jewelry, you don’t have to claim a Celtic heritage to wear this ring with pride.

So if you are looking for a way to show your enduring love for someone special, the Infinity Celtic wedding ring might just be the perfect way to do it.

Author: Sine Treanor from Celtic Rings Ltd

Tags: , ,
Posted in Product Reviews | No Comments »

Information

Blog Archives

Special Offers

Featured Product