Inspiration

I grew up in the heart of Donegal. My family own a pub, The Glen Tavern in the Gaeltacht Lár in the Glen of Glenties. It is an inspirational place that still fills my heart with joy when I return.

The rugged landscape peppered with traditional cottages, the wild Atlantic spray from the sea in Narin in my face, and the smell of burning turf, the people and the music.

The music is what I remember most. It filled the air of our pub constantly, which was a gathering point for musicians from every walk of life coming together to play tunes late into the night.

These were the times of my life, they shaped my character and inspired the artisan in me to design the jewellery I make today.

Background

I have been working as a jeweller for the past twenty years having studied Jewelry Design at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. I subsequently worked as an apprentice to Bent Exner in Denmark, specializing in architectonic jewelry design and gilding.

I see jewellery as miniature art objects and while the pieces I make are very personal to me I am always happy that people interpret them and make them their own. I feel it is important for a piece to be fun to wear and a conversation piece for the wearer.

As well as making custom design pieces I have three main collections:
‘Seisiún’ is a range of pendants and brooches designed around Traditional Irish Musical Instruments and Dancers. “Having been raised in the family pub, traditional Irish music has always been a part of my life and myself and my family have had the pleasure of hearing the finest of Irish traditional musicians over the years. So, with this background and the continuing influence that traditional Irish music and culture have in our lives, I have been inspired to create this collection.

‘Clochán – stories in stone’ is a collection, inspired by "the ancient stone walls, castles and dwellings of Ireland crafted by generations of local people and how they have become one with the landscape." Each piece is hand-crafted using unusual and beautiful combinations of chunky shapes with a delicate appearance. Its faceted surface of silver "stones" catches the light attractively over both rough and smooth surfaces.

‘Ag Amharc Amach – looking forward is inspired by the scenic beauty and inspiring landmarks in my local area and is an elegant collection to represent the power of positivity.

All silver pieces are hallmarked by the Dublin Assay Office.