Celebrating All things Irish!

It's easy in a world that's so connected globally to find ourselves envious of other countries, climates and lifestyles. 

Whatever your thoughts and feelings are about St. Patricks day, it does bring our heritage and all round Irishness into focus. I think it's a great time of year to celebrate what a wonderful little country we are. Not only do we live in a land of astounding natural beauty but we're a culturally rich, musical, innovate and creative group of people.

And look, we all know we're far from perfect but we can get back to correcting and improving our shortcomings after this brief period of cheerfulness and celebration.

With this in mind, lets say it together people: "Sure aren't we just great!!!"

Time to look back at some of the beautiful and important design pieces in our history:

The Aran Jumper

One half of our family hails from Donegal, and having spent a lot of my childhood there I would have had several of these as a youngster. After an interlude in my youth of thinking they were uncool, I'm now desperate to get my hands on a vintage one to wear over tea dresses and capri pants!

Image source

Marilyn Munroe in Life Magazine

 Grace Kelly wearing an aran jumper

 Julia Roberts in a cable knit jumper

Irish China

I have such an array of china that I could probably host several Mad-Hatter worthy tea parties, simultaneously! My collection has grown through gifts and charity shop raids and even though it's always random and miss-matched I do love hunting for Irish china.

I've been inspired by these images to bring out my collection for tea on St. Patricks day!

Image via Vignette Design

Image from Home Is Wear The Boat Is

 Beleek Irish China

Vintage Designers And Fabrics

Sybil Connoly is probably the most well known vintage designer we have. Her designs were hugely successful worldwide. Jackie Kennedy loved her creations as did many celebrities of the 50's and 60's.

Anne Gunning in Sybil Connolly

Advert in 1954 issue of Australian Woman's Weekly


Barbara Goalen in a woollen suit with sleeveless sling cape by Sybil Connolly,
photo by Milton Greene

 Lachasse vintage suit in fine Irish wool, 'brigand collar',

1951 photo by Don Honeyman

Irish Crochet

We couldn't write this piece without mentioning Irish lace and crochet. Our country is world renowned for producing the most intricate and beautiful lace fabrics. 

1910 era Irish crochet gown

Dirty Fabulous vintage jewels displayed on our own collection of Irish crochet

Happy Day Of Irishness!!!