Summer, Sam and Celtic Warriors

The dog days of summer here in Ireland are associated with the high point of Irish sport.

Modern Day Celtic Warriors

Over the summer months, modern day Celtic Warriors representing each of the 32 counties have been battling it out on pitches around Ireland. They train and play for no financial return, just the pride in the jersey and the right to fiercely compete in the All Ireland Hurling, Camogie and Gaelic Football finals, held each year at the end of summer.

The passion on display is hard to beat. County colors are flown proudly by fans and some keen supporters even go as far as to paint their cars or houses to match their jersey!

Hurling & Camogie: Sport for the Fast and Furious

The All Ireland Hurling final, typically held a week or two before the Football final, sees two teams do battle in what many regard as one of the fastest and most skilful field sports in the world. It's always an electric affair. Noisy fans fill Croke Park and roar on their team to victory, the chance to lift the coveted Liam MacCarthy Cup and be crowned All Ireland Hurling Champions.

From the original Irish camógaíocht, camogie is the name given to the fast and furious field sport played by over 100,000 women worldwide. Listed by UNESCO as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the women of Ireland play for the honor of their county and the chance to take home the beautiful O'Duffy Cup, modelled on the Ardagh Chalice.

Gaelic Football and the Irish Super Bowl

Still more fans will head to Croke Park to roar on the men and women in the All Ireland Football finals, the closest thing to the Super Bowl in Ireland.

Dublin had dominated the mens competition for several years, with the coveted Sam Maguire cup residing in the capitol for extended stays. But the former champs have wobbled in the last few years so they are no longer the bookies tip going into the 2023 final against the footballers from Co. Kerry. But anything can happen on final day and all of Ireland and those watching around the globe will be anxious to see who lifts "The Sam" this year.

The Sam Maguire Cup

Whoever's colors adorn the cup, the victors will be lifting an iconic piece of craftsmanship in the “The Sam.”

Named for Sam Maguire, an influential figure in the GAA and an Irish patriot, it was modeled on the beautiful and ancient Ardagh Chalice.

Maguire's friends commissioned the cup to commemorate him after his death in 1927. It was made by gifted Dublin silversmith for the considerable sum of £300 (around €27,000 today!). Just like the Ardagh Chalice it emulates, the bowl of the cup was made from a single piece of silver painstakingly hammered into shape.

Celtic Warriors

It is impossible not to be inspired watching players, modern day Celtic Warriors, compete for the love of their county and the sport. Indeed it is this value in Irish culture and heritage which inspired our own Celtic Warrior jewelry range, which like "the Sam" it is modelled on the lovely Ardagh Chalice.

So even if you have no interest in the sport itself, you might tune in to watch Irish culture in action and join the Irish worldwide in celebrating and supporting our modern day Celtic Warriors.