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During the ninth
century, Ireland was rich in goods, silver, jewels, cloth and gold,
according to the book, Treasures of Early Irish Art. It was a land
"benign to the body in air and mellow soil." Irish and Celtic symbols
were crafted into jewelry, swords, weapons and other symbols of
everyday life.
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Today, the ancient
Irish and Celtic symbols of Old Ireland are remembered in jewelry
crafted by Irish jewelers and are available at the Irish Centre's
boutique and online store. Each piece is an original design. |
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Misty
fables surround one of Ireland's unique treasures, "The Claddagh",
a symbol of love, friendship and loyalty. Some 400 years ago, Richard
Joyce, a master goldsmith who lived in a fishing village called the
Claddagh overlooking the Galway Bay, crafted this now famous design
showing two hands cradling a crowned heart. The hands represent friendship;
the heart, love; and the crown, loyalty. "With my hands, I give you
my love." |
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| Wear
the ring on your right hand, with the crown turned inward, and all
will see that your heart is free. Wear it on the right hand, with
the crown turned outward, and it will show that you haven't made up
your mind. When you wear it on your left hand, with the crown turned
outward, it means that two loves have become inseparable. |
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| The
Irish Centre sells Claddagh rings and wedding bands, brooches, earrings
and pendants made in gold and silver. |
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Other Irish symbols
made into jewelry for the Irish Centre include the Tara Brooch, the
Irish Harp, the Celtic Knot, the Celtic Cross and the Irish Shamrock. |
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| A line of jewelry
called The Newgrange Tri Spiral Collection is based on on an ancient
stone carving. The spirals represent the male, the female, the child
and their life's path. Archeologists believe that spirals had deep
significance for Stone Age people in their quest to understand the
mysteries of the existence of the universe. |
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| "The
Tri Spiral continues that fascination," explains Mary Reilly, Irish
Centre owner, "and leads us to believe that life is all too short
but very precious. We strive to do our utmost to bring love, laughter
and friendship to those we love and cherish because who knows what
the future may hold." |
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