Irish Traditions and Cultural Heritage, Reflected in Irish Collectibles

 Different Types of Irish Collectibles, for Different
Ireland is an island country, strongly steeped inInterests.
ancient Gaelic and Celtic traditions, that is home toAlmost everyone wants to be surrounded by
a passionate and proud people Probably no otherobjects that interest or appeal to them. And the
nationality has a stronger sense of their nationalurge to possess items that in some way relate to
and cultural heritage than the Irish. And probablyIreland or its traditions and culture lies at the heart
no othernationality can lay as a strong a claim toof the huge popularity of Irish collectibles.
the popularity of their ethnic or cultural items asA multitude of different types of Irish collectibles,
can the Irish with their Irish collectibles.both large and small, are available to collectors.
In addition to those living in Ireland itself, millions ofThey include Irish jewelry such as Claddagh rings
people of Irish descent live elsewhere throughoutand other Irish rings such as those that bear
the world. For example, the United States &family crests or coats-of-arms. Irish jewelry also
Canada both experienced a great tidal wave ofincludes pendants, cuff links, lapel pins, Celtic
Irish immigration during the 1800s, and today,crosses and tie pins/tacs that feature a shamrock
more than 10% of America's population traces itsor other symbol of Ireland. Other types of Irish
roots back to Ireland. But Irish immigrationwascollectibles include various items made by hand by
much more widespread than to just those twoIrish cottage crafters, the renowned Waterford
countries, and as a result, almost everyone inor Galway Irish crystal, Irish pubsigns, pub
every region of the English-speaking world knowspitchers, beer mats and other Irish breweriana
at least several people of Irish origin. Becausesuch as items relating to Guinness Beer, and
they exert such passion in maintaining their distinctwhimsical pieces such as leprechaun figurines.
traditions and heritage, Irish people have alsoThere are also Irish clocks, wall plaques wall
exerted a significant, lasting influence on thehangings, landscape paintings of Irish scenes, and
culture of just about every area where they live.much, much more.
This strong sense of national pride, of IrishIrish Pride.
tradition, makes Irish collectibles extremelyThe desire to honor and preserve Irish culture
appealing to Irish men and women - those whoand the traditional ways is strongly felt by nearly
live in Ireland as well as those of Irish descentevery Irish person or person of Irish descent. Irish
who live elsewhere..And because so many peopleroots, and a sense of pride in Ireland and its
of Irish origins feel their roots so strongly andculture, run deep. Irish collectibles are a very
continue to maintain very close ties to theirvisible way for any
national heritage, there is no sign that theIrish man or woman to honor those traditions,
popularity of Irish collectibles has reached its apexand a very tangible symbol of pride in being Irish.
or will wane at any time in the foreseeable future.