I’ve just returned from an unforgettable two-week adventure in Ireland with my family, where we explored the vibrant streets of Dublin and made Cork our home base. From there, we took day trips that led us to some of Ireland’s most beautiful spots—Cobh, Killarney, Blarney Castle, and my absolute favorite, Kinsale.
One of my main goals was to find authentic, locally-made crafts, which felt like a treasure hunt at times, as many shops were stocked with the usual souvenir fare. But my search for true craftsmanship led me to Kinsale Crystal, and it was everything I hoped for. The artisans there still use time-honored techniques to create stunning pieces, and the experience felt like stepping back into a world where artistry and tradition are at the heart of each creation. In fact, their work speaks so beautifully that I’ll let the words from their website tell the rest of the story—it’s hard to do it justice otherwise.
“It is no accident that former Waterford master-cutter, Gerry Daly, chose the town of Kinsale, Irelands oldest town, to set up his crystal venture. Gerry longed to revive the formerly extinct method of deep cutting, a legacy we hold today. Long ago in Ireland, way before mass production swallowed up the small one-man crystal craft shops, every single piece was cut with pride on high angled wheels. This method was painstakingly slow, but resulted in the most brilliant, reflective sparkle and sharp, crisp feel.
Armed only with a vision and a dream, in 1992 Gerry left Waterford and set off in search of a suitable location to fulfil his dream. When Gerry first arrived in the beautiful, historical town of Kinsale, he knew immediately that the search was over. This fascinating, quaint, old-world seaport with its narrow streets and spectacular coastal scenery was the perfect setting for Gerry's project.
Since then Kinsale Crystal has earned a high reputation among crystal buyers worldwide. Visitors to Kinsale can call in to our workshop and see for themselves the crystal being cut on the premises. The Daly family (Gerry's son, crystal cutter, Ronan and his mother, Anna) will be on hand to show the range and help you find the perfect piece.”
Although my favorite piece is this stunning shamrock decanter set, I ended up purchasing a simple prism, which now hangs from the curtain rod in my living room. Every morning, the eastern sunlight filters through, casting a gentle, colorful glow onto the walls. Kinsale Crystal offers an impressive array of whiskey tumblers, decanters, stemware, vases, and bowls—so many beautiful pieces. But I was drawn to something simple, a piece that would remind me of our vacation and the fact that there are still traditional artisans who take true pride in their craft.
If you happen to travel to Ireland and find yourself in Kinsale, make sure to stop in and talk to the artists at Kinsale Crystal and admire their beautiful work. If you can't make it in person, please visit their website—they do ship worldwide https://www.kinsalecrystal.ie/
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