The (new) Celtic Revival
Written by Ciaran on Apr 07, 2025 | 0 Comments
We’re not too swayed by what’s in fashion at any given time, preferring instead to stick to timeless designs that work today, tomorrow, and twenty years from now.
Ironically, though, it seems that this view is now fashionable in itself! Over the past year or so, we’ve noticed a real and growing interest in Irish culture and timeless Irish design. So we went digging and discovered this may all be down to the new “Celtic Revival.”
The Celtic Revival
The Celtic Revival we’re familiar with happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the celebration of Celtic heritage across Ireland in particular. Irish traditions, folklore, music, and language were documented and celebrated, and in some cases saved from being forgotten. This cultural renaissance of sorts was led by luminaries like Lady Gregory, W.B. Yeats, John Butler Yeats, Jack Yeats, and the Scotsman John Duncan. The revival spilled over from the arts into architecture, design, and even politics, with Celtic patterns and symbols all the rage. This is credited by many with playing a large part in shaping both the Irish and Scottish national identities.
A classic “Celtic Revival” painting, the "Riders of the Sidhe," by John Duncan depicts a procession of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural race, the gods in Irish mythology, in procession on Bealtaine. The riders carry Celtic symbols like the “Tree of Life” and a grail similar to the famous Ardagh Chalice.
Photo Credit: John Duncan (1911) - Public Domain
The New Celtic Revival
It’s been over 100 years since the heyday of the Celtic Revival - so you may well be asking: what's so new about it, then? Many believe that we are in the midst of a second “Celtic Revival” of sorts with signs of a resurgence everywhere.
Irish stars like Cillian Murphy are bagging Oscars, while Irish language films are getting Oscar nominations and winning at Sundance. It’s not just the cinematic arts that are thriving — Ireland took home a record medal haul at the 2024 Olympic Games and had a great time doing it too! While on the subject of celebrating, there was not a pint of Guinness to be had in the UK before Christmas, such was the popularity of the Irish drink!
Ireland took home a record breaking 7 medals, 4 of them gold from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Photo Credit: AlSepPhoenix (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The resurgence is there in music, too. The biggest draw at Electric Picnic 2024 (one of the biggest music festivals in Ireland) was a venerable traditional Irish group called the Wolf Tones, who played to an estimated 55,000 people on the main stage. The Fleadh Cheoil has always been one of the biggest parties in Ireland but a record-breaking 650,000 are thought to have attended the event last year!
The Irish language is improving in health too, with a dramatic 71% increase in the numbers of speakers in Ireland in the past 30 years. There are more than 1 million learning their Cúpla focail, their few words on Duolingo, and the growing grá—love, for the Irish language seems to be genuinely embraced by those farther afield, with Gracie Abrams spotted wearing a Rí-Rá cap while out in West Cork with Paul Mescal.
Our jewelry featuring the Irish language is growing in popularity too!
The Claddagh
And it is not just the language - Irish designs like the Claddagh are cropping up everywhere too, from fashion-forward prints to textiles and, of course, rings on the fingers of many, many, famous faces!
The Claddagh ring traces its roots back close to 400 years to the west coast of Ireland and has been a traditional gift, promise ring, and wedding ring for centuries. We’ve noticed a growing trend in people buying Claddaghs for themselves for all sorts of reasons too — with many looking for a piece of home they can keep with them wherever they go. The classic heart, crown, and hands of the design represent love, loyalty, and friendship, and they have a beautiful and romantic meaning that lends itself to significant pieces of jewelry.
Ogham
Ogham has become one of our most popular collections with people telling us that they love the ability to make make this unique Irish alphabet—at least 1,500 years old—truly their own, with a hand engraving of a name, Irish word, or initials of significance to them. Bonus points, too, for the bold linear shapes of Ogham, which make for striking and unexpectedly modern jewelry, perfect for wearing with any look.
Whether all of this adds up to a new “Celtic Revival”, we’re not sure, but we are delighted to see a growing appreciation for Ireland’s rich culture and history both here at home and farther afield.
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Ciaran
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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