Stories from our Customers: Christopher & Lesley
Written by Liz Maguire on Jun 27, 2022 | 0 Comments
When musician Christopher got in touch with us we just knew we had to hear more about his harmonious and sweet love story with his wife and fellow musician, Lesley.
Christopher and Lesley sharing a laugh on their wedding day.
Hailing from Fife in Scotland, both Christopher and Lesley share a love of traditional music and travel the world together performing traditional Scottish and Irish tunes. A talented couple indeed, Lesley plays fiddle, pipes, whistle, piano and uillean pipes while Christpher plays drums, percussion and bodhran.
As well as their love of traditional music, Lesely and Christopher also share Irish heritage - read on to find out how these shared interests brought them together.
How did you two meet?
Chris: “We first met at a gig playing a céilà in 2014. I kept Lesley’s business card and we met again one year later when I was writing and producing a country music album and needed bluegrass fiddle. (Lesley plays fiddle)”
The lovely Lesley on their special day.
Why did you choose Irish rings?
Chris: “I have been working on my family tree / heritage for a few years. My Irish heritage is both Paternal and Maternal dating back to the mid 1700’s and 1800’s in County Mayo via, McHale, Flynn, Rowley and Brannan. Lesley’s Irish heritage is via here maternal Grandfather Finnegan also from County Mayo. Both Lesley and I have a great affinity for Scottish / Irish / Celtic Culture via the musical tradition, playing Scottish and Irish tunes and performing Worldwide.”
As a customer of MIJ, I purchased Lesley's engagement ring, both our wedding rings, a pearl necklace and earring set and a Connemara necklace for her (other items for my daughter).... love your work.
Any plans to visit Ireland?
Chris: “We have both been to Ireland several times. I have performed there at the Letterkenny Festival and most recently, Lesley and I traveled to meet a cousin I discovered via a County Mayo Heritage site. I put a post out asking for any information regarding the McHales in Tavnaghmore and within 5 minutes TJ McHale replied saying he had cattle on that very land. Turns out that TJ’s Great Grandfather and my Great Grandfather were brothers. Lesley and I traveled out to meet TJ and his partner Louise and saw the ancestral homeland.”
Any advice for couples?
Chris: “I’m not qualified to answer this and urge every man to refer to their more intelligent partner.”
Any Honeymoon plans?
Chris: “We’re off to a villa in Javea Spain and looking forward to turning our phones off. We lead very busy lives.”
Comhghairdeas!
Congratulations, or Comhghairdeas as we say in gaelic, to the lovely couple! We were delighted and honoured to see our jewelry play a part in this beautiful love story and wish these two musicians a long and harmonious life together.
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Liz Maguire
My Irish Jeweler
I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thanks to my Irish born father I was lucky enough to regularly visit Ireland -- and receive visitors from Ireland often, to my childhood home. This blending of cultures triggered my interest in Irish art and culture. My love for jewelry was nurtured by my American mom who is an artisan jeweler and dealer. I grew up loving Ireland and jewelry!
Now I happily reside in Dublin, having read Irish Literature and History at Trinity College Dublin. Having a passion for Irish literature, I am particularly interested in the work of poet W.B. Yeats. With the Celtic Revival in the 20th century, Yeats and his contemporaries did much for Irish arts and history. Many of our beautiful pieces at My Irish Jeweler are inspired by the myths and legends, as well as artwork, which gained permanence in Irish heritage as a result of the Celtic Revival.
I look forward to sharing the history and stories which influence the inspiration for our pieces with the My Irish Jeweler readers.
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