History of Ireland

History of Ireland Jewelry was first conceived in 1970 by M. Hilliar. There are a total of twelve pieces in the set, with each symbolising an important aspect of Irish history. Forty-two years later in 2012, the concept was updated for the modern era.

 

Circle of Life

The tradition of the culture of the earliest Irish settlers has been passed down the generations. The Circle of Life is symbolised by the Celtic swirl of the unwinding path that we travel to this day, journeying into the hidden future.

St. Patrick

Ireland’s patron saint of international renown, celebrated on the 17th of March every year, Saint Patrick came to Ireland in the 5th century. He brought with him the Christian faith, and also the art of learning.

Round Towers

The Round Towers of Ireland are grandiose stone structures that stand tall and true, structures that have endured for a millennium. They were built to repel invaders from the religious community and to protect their precious relics.

Vikings

Across of all Western Europe became feared, beginning in the 9th century. They were known for pillaging, particularly of religious communities. Some of the Vikings decided to stay, changing the culture and society of Gaelic Ireland.

Norman Invasion

Following the Viking invasion came the Norman Invasion, which was led by the exiled King of Leinster. The Norman army were victorious, but Henry II took his troops over to Ireland in 1171 and took control of the Irish Kings.

Battle of the Boyne

The Battle of the Boyne was fought in the year 1690 by Catholic King James II and his nephew and son-in-law, the Protestant King William of the Dutch House of Orange. King William’s victory ensured the dominance of Protestant interests in Ireland for years.

United Irishmen

A hundred years after the Battle of the Boyne, the United Irishmen was made to take religion out of politics, to the betterment of the Catholic community. However the movement was banned in 1793 by the authorities. This was the backdrop of the rising of 1798.

Irish Flag

The national flag of Ireland, the green, white and orange tricolour which symbolises the hope of peace between  the green of Catholics, and the orange of Protestants.

Famine

In the 19th Century Ireland experienced an extreme famine. It is thought that one million people died and over a million emigrated, mostly to America. Even at the time of the potato blight, England was exporting grain.

Famine Ships

During the famine the mass migration of Irish people began, most going to America. The Famine Ships offered hope and the possibility of a better future. Unfortunately, the ships were over-crowded and under-supplied.

GPO

During the Easter Rising of 1916 The GPO was seized and it became the headquarters of the operation, and here the Proclamation of the Republic was declared. The GPO is the most recognised building of the rising.

Partition

The declaration of independence from Britain led to the War of Independence. The treaty which finished the conflict established Northern Ireland as a separate self-governing state to Southern Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland.

History of Ireland Jewelry was first conceived in 1970 by M. Hilliar. There are a total of twelve pieces in the set, with each symbolising an important aspect of Irish history. Forty-two years later in 2012, the concept was updated for the modern era