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Five reasons why Ireland is the Home of Romance

Written by Ciaran Vipond on Feb 05, 2024 | 0 Comments

When you hear the word romance Paris or Venice might spring to mind. We think Ireland deserves a mention. Ireland is a place of epic love stories, fine words, beautiful poetry, heart-stopping landscapes, and of course, romantic jewelry! Read on to find out the five reasons we think Ireland deserves to be known as the home of romance.

1) Irish has the best ways to say I love you

With at least seven different ways to tell a loved one how you feel, Gaeilge, Gaelic, or Irish as it's commonly referred to is really the best language for “fine words.” Whether you are telling someone they are your soul mate, your “Anam Cara”, or the bright love of your heart “Grá Geal Mo Chroí,” Irish has you covered!

2) Romance from Ireland’s great poets

If the Irish language doesn’t capture how you feel, the words of one of our great poets should suffice! The famous WB Yeats poem, Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven is a favorite for romantics everywhere:

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths,
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would lay them under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

3) Epic Irish Love Stories and the heart-stopping Irish landscape

Farther back in our literary history, there are epic love stories of Emer and Cuchulainn, or Dhiarmada and Gráinne. These tales of love left traces on the Irish landscape, with romantic place names scattering the island. Dolmens are known to many as ‘Leaba Diarmuid agus Gráinne’ - Beds of Diarmuid and Gráinne or 'the beds of the lovers' owing to the tale of how this doomed couple hid out sleeping at a different dolmen built by Diarmuid for his love Gráinne each night. To this day these sites all over Ireland are visited by couples in love.

Howth in Dublin is another romantic spot made famous by Irish literature. The soliloquy from Molly Bloom which closes James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses, recounts Leopold’s marriage proposal at Howth, as well as her passionate response:“...and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.”

4) Ireland holds the heart of St. Valentine

For all our spectacular landscapes, the most romantic spot of all might be in the city center in Dublin’s Whitefriar Street Church, where lovers can seek out a shrine housing the remains of the patron saint of love, St Valentine! On his feast day every February 14th, couples can receive a special “blessing of the rings.” Hard to get more romantic than that!

5) Irish Jewelry; deeply meaningful symbols of love

If you don’t feel confident whispering sweet nothings in Irish or reciting romantic poetry and at trip to our romantic landscape isn't on the cards any time soon, romantic Ireland is still yours to give with a gift of our beautiful and deeply meaningful Irish jewelry. There are so many unique and beautiful designs to suit every taste. Below are two of our customers favorites for Valentine's or any time a romantic gift is required.

The Celtic Love Knot

The Celtic Love Knot, also known as the Trinity Knot, speaks of eternal love, and is a romantic choice for jewelry that makes a statement. With each of the three "leaves" representing the past, present, and future you share, the unbroken nature of the knot is a beautiful symbol of unity and connection that is hard to beat.

The Claddagh

The Claddagh is a 400 year old design unique to Ireland with romantic sentiment perfect for Valentines Day, or any day. An Irish promise of Love, Loyalty and Friendship for your special someone. Initially gifted to a man by his wife to be, the Claddagh is now one of our most popular designs for friendship, promise, wedding or engagement rings.

Ireland is the home of Romance

So are you convinced? We think we have made a strong case for Ireland being the home of romance. But we would love to hear your romantic stories of Ireland.

Ireland is the Home of Romance

So are you convinced? We think we have made a strong case for Ireland being the home of romance. With 50 years in the industry, our pieces have played a role in many love stories.

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Ciaran Vipond

Ciaran Vipond

My Irish Jeweler

Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!

I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!

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