Shannon Heritage Bunratty New Store

Well everybody.. its finally here. We are absolutely THRILLED here at Shannon Heritage Online to tell you all that our new Shop in the Bunratty Folk Park is OPEN.. and its Gorgeous.

Bunratty Folk Park Store.

Just situated at the front of the Bunratty Folk Park - this beautiful store is waiting for you to explore. You don't even have to enter the Folk Part to wander round the delightful treasury of some of the best the Irish have to offer. Wonderful, Elegant bespoke Throws from Foxford and Avoca. Aran's from Carraig Donn, the elegance and grace of Tipperary Crystal and other delectable toys and treats. I have to say for me it was love at first sight. Clair, the Bunratty Shop Manager is beyond thrilled. Both she, and her team ( yes Ailbhe you too) have worked so hard to get the magic ready for you..They even had to be reminded to go home some nights, they were that carried away. I know, I was there.
The enticing visual merchandising came from the genius of Derek Dunphy from DDisplay ( he was such a perfectionist, I learnt so many ways of making a Sweater look amazing).

But the real thing, the actual thing that nearly brought me to tears ( it really did , I am not messing) was a conversation I had with the Head of Retail For the Shannon Group - Darren Smyth. It had been a long day, and he was standing at a point where he could see the entire store, and just remarked on how proud he was. Naturally I agreed, he should be proud, but it was not just the store that he was discussing, it was what was in it. Beautiful, professional, finely crafted Irish products, that could take their place in the world. Suzanna Kelly, our Head of Buying, lets just say, she has the magical touch. Right there in front of us was the love and dedication of generations of Irish Craft - Avoca, with their wonderful colourful throws, scarves , with generations of families working the mills, since 1723, a true labour of love. Foxford Woollen Mills, an industry that was born after the ravages of the Irish Famine, a Mill that save a small village from disappearing as so many others had, now a thriving business, still carrying on that wonderful tradition. And not just them, but the hopes and dreams of new Irish Designers, taking their place in the world., the quirky crafts from the Button Studio - the dream of Jane Walsh, an NCAD grad, who just loves buttons and who has throw this passion for art into creating the most adorable pictures you have ever seen:

Button Studio at Bunratty Shop

So Darren ( from Cork, an expressive bunch that lot from Cork), made me realise what a responsibility we had in showcasing all of this tradition and fine craft. We really have  worked hard to make a shop worthy of these treasures, we owe it to them.
Now just in case, you can't get over to see us at the Shop ( seriously folk's what's keeping you, daily flights from Shannon Airport Transatlantic and European), you can see some of these wonderful things right here on the Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop.

This is our new shop, we are so proud of it, we love it, we hope you do too.

Until the Next Time,

Stay Classy !

Orlagh,  ECommerce Manager - Shannon Heritage Gift Shop Online.

It's nearly St Patrick's Day...

St Patrick's Day. Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop.

Well, where do I start. We are absolutely jumping with excitement here at the Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop with our plans for St Patrick's Day. Before I go into that, let me give you a bit of the background. St Patrick , was actually a Welshman,... Yeah, I know... wonder who he would support in the Rugby?. He was born in the 5th Century, got kidnapped by some Irish Pirates (Captain Jack O'Sparrow ) and taken to Ireland as a slave. So despite all of this, he grew up to be an Irish Bishop and did such a great job that we all decided to have a big mad Party every year just to celebrate him ! In fairness, sure he deserves it. By the way, if you are in Ireland over St Patrick's weekend, don't tell anybody I told you he was Welsh. I will deny it.. I really will. So lets just keep that one among ourselves.

Here's a Picture of the Man Himself. Now it was a time before selfies, so this is taken from a Stained Glass Window

In fairness, he looks like a nice chap. Now St Patricks Day is celebrated all over the world. But I have to tell you, Ireland is the only place to be. So, come on, jump in a Plane and get over here.
Shannon Airport has daily flights from lots of locations ( Boston, New York) and from many European Cities. You will land in Shannon, the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way not to mention the West of Ireland with all its rugged beauty. Can you imagine, spending your St Patrick's weekend at one of the numerous parades all over the country, then finished with a turf fire and a nice glass of Irish Coffee which , according to Legend was actually invented in Shannon Airport., go on, google it and they will tell you.Now,no matter where you are in Ireland on March 17th, you will not be far from a Parade. Every Village, City or Town in the country have Parades.
So, if you want to indulge in this delight, my best advice is to Jump Right In. If you fancy a big Parade, sure Dublin is only a couple of hours up the motorway.
Here are a few Parade tips:

1. Little 'uns up the front. The Irish adore kids and the kids adore Parades. So, if you are travelling with Children , expect a parting of the waves where your smallies are gently pushed to the front of the crowd by the happy locals. Keep and eye on them - because they can wander off, I learnt that the hard way,
2. It can be chilly, so wrap up warm. Now is you chance to show off your lovely Aran's (and keep that Atlantic Chill away. 

Shannon Online Carraig Donn Aran

Or for himself...

Both available from Shannon Heritage Online Gifts Shop. I got Clair to pick them for you ( you should  remember her, she is the manager of Bunratty Folk Park shop.

Now, what if , gasp, you can't make it to Ireland for this years St Patrick's Day ? Well, we promise we won't take it personally, well we will try not to anyway. How do you bring some Ireland back to your part of the world ? Well, if you want to give a lovely present, the online gift shop for Shannon Duty Free www.shannondutyfree.com is running a very special offer on a beautiful, Irish hallmarket , Sterling Silver Claddagh Ring:

Sterling Silver Maid's Claddagh Ring.

This is called the "maids claddagh ring".. A maid in Ireland does not necessarily mean Anna from Downtown Abbey, rather a refernce to a young girl. This ring goes from size 4 up to 9 so suitable for many finger sizes. But it is more suited to a Lady's Hand... And ... its €19.99. Don't forget , if you are in the US , you can get that Vat Free !! Pop onto Shannon Online Gift Shop Maids Claddagh Ring.

And don't forget , if you do come to spend this wonderful day with us, when you are flying home through Shannon Airport , naturally you will be upset to be leaving us. To cheer yourself up, don't forget to pop into Shannon Airport Duty Free Shop, to get something lovely to bring home. Now, popular as I am, I do have a friend in Shannon Airport. Ask for John.. tell him I sent you.

Bye everybody, untill our next post.

Orlagh

Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop. The Downton Look.

I love Downton Abbey, we all do here at Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop. I adore it, from everything to living in a huge sprawling  house, to having Servants to cater to your every whim, sweeping down staircases in lovely dresses, being called Lady something.. giving withering looks to young men who come to court and Afternoon Tea ( imagine , you ring a bell and some guy comes marching in with a tray of yummy cakes and no need to wash up) !! But do you know what I love best ? The Clothes... Truly I belong to the wrong era. There I am ,sitting in my sloppy tracksuit, drinking Barry's tea and rich tea biscuits ( all of which I have to both get and wash myself), and there is Lady Mary and Lady Ethel drifting from love affair to love affair with dishy young men, all the while living the latest drama ( you know yourself, no sooner does your Dad's valet get accused of murder, sentenced to death, found innocent at the last minute, then his missus your maid gets accused of a different murder, found innocent ...etc and so on.),

Through out all this, the Ladies look Fabulous.. they don't let lost inheritances, house fires, squabbling servants and multiple murder trials get in their way. Oh No. They simply shrug off their Afternoon Tea Dress, and slip into their Silk Evening Gowns without a care in the world.

But my dear reader, my favourite by far... The Hats. The Downtown Abbey look Hats. You know the ones, Lady Edith is dashing off to London to mind her publishing empire ( as you do) , and there perched elegantly on her head is a gorgeous 20's cap. Lovely.

So, I took a wander round the Cliffs of Moher Gift Shop.. and I found these little gems. They are from Mucros Weavers, and they are called, The Mucros Flapper hats!. Have a look, aren't they dotey !!



Mucros Magenta Flapper Cap

Now, that one, is a bit Daring. I would see it as a Lady Sybil Hat - Remember her , she was the lady who ran off with the Chauffeur (mind you he was quite runnable away with if you ask me).

Here is another, a little more sedate, a Lady Edith I would say:

Mucros Black Flapper Cap



Now, if you don't happen to live near the Cliffs of Moher ( and not a lot of people do, its a gorgeous rugged kind of place), fret not. We have them here at Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop

Just follow the magical link:

Ladies and Gents Mucros Hats and Caps

So the boys don't feel left out, we have some cool caps for them too..



Mucros Gents Trinity Flat Cap

Oh, and if you do get to the Cliffs of Moher Gift Shop, say hi to Chris. Another one of my friends. Now, he may not know much about Downton Abbey, but there is not a rock on those Cliffs that he does not know all about. Go on, ask him, Tell him I sent you.

Have a great weekend everybody. Until the next one.

Orlagh Cassidy, E Commerce Manager, Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop.

Welcome to the Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop.

Well Hello Everybody. Welcome to our first post. Very Exciting. I hope you like it.

Firstly, let us introduce ourselves. We are the official online gift shop for Shannon Heritage. We thought we would have some fun , and share some of the wonderful experiences and sheer adventures that you can have in the Shannon Region - not to mention some of the gorgeous traditional Irish gifts that celebrate our rich heritage. So, if you want to learn more about this wild , rugged and amazingly beautiful part of the world,then pull up chair, grab a cup of tea ( and if you are me a bar of chocolate ) and get ready to be transported to a mystical land.

One of the most popular items we sell - both on the website and in the stores, are the beautiful and stylish Aran Knitwear.  So I thought our first post should be about that. My good Friend Clair manages the Bunratty Folk Park Store - now there's a lady who knows and loves her Aran Sweaters well. Well she loves this one ( so do I ).. This one is a favourite from Carraig Donn.. very stylish and 

Carraig Donn One Button Aran Sweater

available on the Gift Website Shop. Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop. But where did Aran's come from, what is the mystique with this famous knit, that found itself gracing both the Wild Atlantic Way and the Catwalks of Europe and The United States. Well, let me show off here and give you a background. The Aran Sweater ( or as we call it in Ireland Gansai Arann) originated in the Aran Islands - off the west coast of Ireland. Now that my dear reader, is a beautiful place..

Aran Islands viewed from Galway Bay

I got the above picture from goggle images, and do you know it took ages for me to chose which one to show you. We are so proud of these beautiful Islands, They are accessible by both small Ferry or small Plane. You can book online for the Ferry and for Air Aran Flights. Many Passengers arriving daily on transatlantic flights into Shannon Airport make the short drive to either Doolin or Galway to catch a ferry to the Aran Islands.

Look at me getting carried away , we are supposed to be talking about the Aran Sweater. So back to that. One of the first things you notice is the Intricate Stitching, well , these stitches are pretty significant. The Honeycomb is to show a hardworking person, the Cable Stitch is pretty significant as its known as the "Fisherman" stitch, thats to protect the Fisherman while at sea, the Diamond is a wish for success and treasure and the Basket is for a "plentiful catch" at sea. I was on Inishmaan during the summer ( one of the Islands, cycled round it , perfect) , anyway, I met an Old Lady on my travels , we stopped for a chat ( she was admiring my youngest daughter's attempt to speak Irish), anyway, we spoke about the Aran Sweaters, apparently, certain families would have their own stitch, which would help them identify bodies of those lost at sea. A little dark,, however, I would say a fact of life back in the older days when boats were less safe during an atlantic storm.

The Aran Sweaters ( or Jumpers as we call them) have an interesting history. There is a picture in the ancient Book of Kells which many claim is an Aran Jumper , not to mention some of the style of stitching has appeared on many of the stone megaliths round Europe. Now, I love this notion, of a 5th Century Monk sketching a nice warm jumper, not to mention stone age artists using the jumper pattern to etch on stones, but alas, that old enemy of fantasy, LOGIC, comes to the fore. Spoil Sport.

Its most likely that the Aran Sweater was first conceived in the early 1900's, by a batch of enterprising Aran Island Ladies who wanted to keep their families warm , and perhaps make a few bob as well ( Fair Play to them). The Aran Sweater even appeared On Vogue in the 1940's (there's posh) and started to be exported to the USA in the 1950's. I wonder did those original Entrepreneurial Ladies realise the legacy they had give both to their homeland and to the world.

Here are some more , the earlier Aran's tended to be Natural or Cream, but as time and fashion progressed, more daring colours started to appear on the Catwalk.

Carraig Donn Ladies Aran Lumber Jacket

And of course, lets not leave the Gentlemen out:

Gents Merino Wool Aran Sweater

You can grab a piece of Aran History and treat yourself ( not to mention look at more) below, we are so organised, we even have a special section for ladies and Gents. Although, I have to admit, one of the earliest memories I have is snuggling into my Dad's Cream Aran Sweater ( we were lucky, we had a gifted granny who knitted them). 

Ladies Aran Sweaters from Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop

Gents Aran Sweaters from Shannon Heritage Gift Shop

And of course, we would not leave the little people out:

Children's Aran Sweaters from Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop

And if you do get to Bunratty Castle Folk Park don't forget to visit the Store and say hello to Clair. She would love that.

Thanks for reading this ( at least I hope you are still here).

Till the next Post... Keep Warm and Classy.  Orlagh Cassidy, E Commerce Manager for Shannon Heritage Online Gift Shop.