 | Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are considering choosing a piece of Irish or Celtic jewelry for a loved one, you may also want to give your Valentine celebration a little Irish twist. The Irish people are world-renowned for their romantic spirit, which is illustrated in song, dance, art, and verse. By adding a little touch of the Emerald Isle to your Valentine’s Day plans, you can make the day unforgettable. |
Irish folklore is rich with tales of love and faith, from the romantic story of the first Claddagh ring, to the tender poetry of William Butler Yeats. It is easy to draw inspiration from the culture and spirit of the Irish people, and we’ve compiled a list of ways you can add a sense of history and romance to your celebration of Valentine’s Day. If you plan to present a gift of Irish jewelry to a loved one, read on for some fun ideas for Valentine’s Day – Irish style!
Visit Ireland – If you are planning on traveling in the future, a trip to your ancestral lands will be an amazing way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. You can choose a piece of jewelry that really evokes the symbolism of the Irish people. Consider giving your loved one an itinerary of the trip you will take. You can marvel at the lush, green beauty of the Emerald Isle, and visit important tourist attractions that feature the same symbols found on your ring, pendant, or earrings. Some highlights of a trip to Ireland should include sampling the pub fare and ales in Dublin itself.
Also, consider a trip to Dublin Castle, where Irish jewelry designs are stamped and assayed. Dublin Castle was constructed in the 13th century, and it served many purposes, with law courts, a prison, and a treasury on site.
Outside of Dublin, County Cork is the home of Blarney Castle, where the Blarney Stone is visited by thousands of people each year. The stone itself is thought to bestow eloquence to those who kiss it, and you may develop the Irish “gift of the gab” after visiting the legendary Blarney Stone! Ireland is full of wonderful tourist attractions and accommodations.
Give your loved one a Claddagh ring or Celtic Cross pendant, so he or she can sample the beauty of Ireland before your amazing trip. Ireland is rumored to be the last resting place of St. Valentine himself, whose spirit lives on in Irish culture.
Celtic Valentines – If you are creative, consider crafting a handmade, Celtic-inspired Valentine for your loved one. You could border the heart-shaped card in traditional Irish knot work (don’t be afraid to trace if you are not very artistic) and add a special verse in the center. This is a simple and meaningful way to add a little Irish flavor to your Valentine’s Day celebration, and it will be the perfect accompaniment to your gift of Celtic jewelry.
Poets like William Butler Yeats have written some exquisite verse, such as The Wild Swans At Coole, and you could write a few lines of this beautiful poem, in your neatest handwriting! Here are a few lines from this classic poem, written about the graceful swans at Coole Lake.
Unwearied still, lover by lover, They paddle in the cold, Companionable streams or climb the air; Their hearts have not grown old; Passion or conquest, wander where they will, Attend upon them still.
As you can see, there are many ways to add Celtic spirit to your Valentine’s Day. By taking the time to choose the perfect gift of Irish or Celtic jewelry, and adding a little something extra, you can give your loved one the most romantic day possible.