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Irish History

Historians date the Carndonagh high cross to the seventh century, making it one of the oldest of its type in Ireland. This early Christian relic is a red sandstone slab cut out in the shape of a cross, and engraved with a rich, low relief that mixes Celtic artwork and Christian iconography. The west face is completely covered with a Celtic interlacing, while the east face depicts a crucifixion scene. Quite surprisingly, the crucifixion scene is placed on the shaft of the cross rather than its head. Typical of Irish crosses, Jesus is not depicted as suffering or defeated, but rather erect and triumphant. Two small, separate pillars frame the cross, decorated with various characters, such as David with his harp and a large warrior believed to be Goliath. Today, the cross and its pillars are a National Monument of Ireland and can be visited freely in Carndonagh, Inishowen.

Saint Patrick's High Cross, Carndonagh. Wall mount.

THE FAERIE ISLEFaerie trees and forts can be found abundantly scattered across the hillsides and fields of Ireland, functioning as sites of both fear and reverence. Farmers will work around Faerie trees rather than cut them down, and even modern infrastructure and roads have been rerouted so as not to incur the wrath of the Wee Folk. Here, the Fae are surrounded by their magik Faerie Ring, encircled by protective waters, and hidden from sight beneath their beloved Hawthorn tree. A tiny bridge affords them passage to the greater world, as their intricate pathway curves upward around the hillside to the safety of their fortress within. Their little kingdom is protected by glass, shielding them from the Mortal Realm.This sculpted/handcrafted piece is created with natural Donegal ceramic clay and features an intricate Faerie tree constructed by hand from selected sprigs of Donegal windbrush, sourced from the summits of the Urris Hills at Leenankeel. Each tree contains a genuine sprig of Hawthorn for authenticity. "If you see a fairy ring, in a field of grass. Very lightly step around, tiptoe as you pass!"*THESE PIECES REQUIRE APPROX 7 DAYS TO CREATE PRIOR TO SHIPMENT

Faerie Isle (in cloche jar)

Handcrafted, handpainted piece, stands 6" high, 4.5" wide.
Thorwald’s Cross, Isle of Man
Located at Church Andreas on the Isle of Man, this fragment of a Viking Slab Cross is dated by Rundata to 940 AD. It is a very unique artefact, in that it appears to represent an example of ‘Syncretic Art’ created during a short period of time when both Pagan and Christian belief systems coexisted. It is also unique for bearing the inscription of the erector of the original monument; ‘Porvaldr raised this cross’, with its present title representing this. The cross shows what is believed to be the father of the Norse gods, Odin, being consumed by the wolf, Fenrir, at the events of Ragnarok, signalling the end to the story of the Norse Pantheon. This is significant as it may reveal the conversion point from Paganism to Christianity, with the Christian god rising to prominence following the destruction of the Pagan gods at the mythical battle of Ragnarok. The bird at Odin’s shoulder is thought to be either Huginn or Muninn, Odin’s loyal ravens, whose attachment to Odin have led to him being commonly referred to as ‘The Raven God’.

Thorwald's Cross, Isle of Man

The Walled City, Handcrafted plasterwork. dimensions: 9″ length, 6.5″wide, 2.5″high. Price £60.

The city of Derry/Londonderry is one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe, and the most complete example in Ireland. The defensive walls were built between 1613-1618 by The Honourable the Irish Society to segregate and protect English and Scottish settlers from the surrounding native Irish following the Plantation of Ulster. The walls proved their purpose during the Williamite Wars in Ireland, when the four city gates were shut to King James II by the 13 Apprentice Boys in 1688, and held out Jacobite forces during 105 days of siege in 1689. The term ‘Maiden City’ was borne out of this unbreachable defense. The walls, with a circumference of approx. one mile, encircle the first planned town in Ireland, designed in a typical fortification layout common during the period. The Siege of Derry would not be the last experience the walls would encounter with conflict, however, as the British Army commandeered segments of the fortifications during ‘The Troubles’ for surveillance purposes. This representation of the 17th century city exhibits the topography of the town, street plans, major buildings, and the bastion defensive structures that shielded the city.

Walled City: Derry in the Siege Period

K15 Stone, handcrafted, handpainted. Dimensions: 6" length, 4" high, 2" deep. K15 is situated in the Stone Age passage Tomb at Knowth, which alongside Dowth and Newgrange form the principle Bru Na Boinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. Knowth is the largest of the three, with a raised mound over 40ft High and featuring two passages along an East/West line. K15 is found within the Tomb and has been dated at 4900 years old. K15 is widely known as 'The Sundial Stone' primarily due to the highly intricate, precise astronomical carvings on its face. Some have speculated that it forms a primitive calendar, with etchings and markers that align to the 16 months of the Neolithic annum. An experiment carried out over one full year on a replicated model, however, strongly suggests that it functioned as a highly sophisticated Sundial, with a vertical East declining dial. The Summer Equinox and Winter Solstice are particularly heavily inscribed. The astronomical alignment of this wondrous artefact is without doubt, though its true intention remains a mystery. If it is a genuine Sundial, it will prove to be the world's oldest, with the previous record holder being found in Egypt and dated at a comparatively youthful 1700 years old.

K15 - The Sundial Stone. Knowth, Newgrange.

Grianan of Aileach, handcrafted, handpainted plasterwork piece. Dimensions: 6" across, 2" high. Beautiful when illuminated with a tealight. The origins of the Grianán of Aileach fort are dated back to 1700 BC. It is linked to the Tuatha de Danann who invaded Ireland before the Celts and built stone forts on top of strategic hills. They worshipped Dagda (the Good God) and he too is associated with the origins of Aileach. It was he who ordered the building of a stone fort to act as a burial monument to his dead son. The round fort is built largely without mortar. The interior has three terraces and wooden structures were built against the terraces to provide accommodation. The outline of Bronze Age or Iron Age ramparts can be seen below the fort. Legend states that the giants of Inishowen are lying sleeping but when the sacred sword is removed they will spring to life reclaiming their ancient lands. It is thought that St Patrick visited the site in the 5th century and baptised the local chieftain, Eoghan (from whom Inis Eoghan gets its name), here.

Grianan of Aileach Tealight

The piece dimensions are: approx 3.5″ high/ 6″ across. 3 dimensional piece which can be displayed in all 360 degrees. The beautiful Kilclooney dolmen in West Donegal dates from c.3500 BC. Its impressive capstone measures 13-feet wide, 20-feet long and stands over six feet high. This makes it one of the largest and heaviest examples in Europe weighing in at over 100 tonnes! The massive capstone looks different from every angle and some say it resembles a bird taking to flight, a whale, a dolphin, and even an alligator. The lower end of the capstone is unusually supported by an extra back stone which is believed to have been built into the design to allow extra light to shine into the tomb. There is a court tomb nearby and a smaller dolmen which has partly collapsed. This area of ardara in Donegal is Ireland at its most magical. To view more pieces please visit our store at Mini Inish

Kilclooney Dolmen, Ardara, Co. Donegal

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