8 beautiful Irish blessings for a new home

Known as the land of saints and scholars, there seems to be an Irish proverb for almost every occasion. Do you have friends or family celebrating their first Christmas in a new home this year? There are lots of traditional Irish blessings you can wish on them - here are some of our favourites at Irish Gift Solutions.

1. "May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door"

2. "May your home always be too small to hold all your friends"

3. "May peace and plenty bless your home
With a joy that long endures
And may life's passing seasons
Bring the best to you and yours"

4. "May your cottage roof be well thatched
And those inside be well matched"

5. "Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin." An Irish proverb that translates to "There's no hearth like your own hearth" or more colloquially, there's no place like home. Check it out here.

6. "God bless the corners of this house,
And be the lintel blest,
And bless the hearth and bless the board,
And bless each place of rest,
And bless each door that opens wide
To stranger as to kin,
And bless each crystal window pane
That lets the starlight in,
And bless the rooftree overhead
And every sturdy wall.
The peace of man, the peace of God,
The peace of love on all"

7. “May you always be blessed with walls for the wind. A roof for the rain. A warm cup of tea by the fire. Laughter to cheer you. Those you love near you. And all that your heart might desire.”

8. "May the road rise to meet you
may the wind be at your back
may the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
and until we meet again
May God hold you

In the palm of his hand"

Which one is your favourite? You can choose to have any of these Irish blessings engraved on slate or bogwood for a unique and memorable gift that will last for a lifetime. 

We're always happy to help our customers choose the perfect text and design for your loved ones. Every element of our one-of-a-kind gifts can be customised. They make perfect gifts for friends and family with a grá for Irish heritage and an eye for interior design.

Browse our site and get in touch with us today on 353 65 6845082. 

6 Irish wedding traditions for your big day

Do you dream of a traditional wedding, or are you more in favour of a modern affair? Here at Irish Gift Solutions, we've put together a list of some popular Irish traditions - along with some modern twists - that you can choose to incorporate into your day.

Handfasting

With origins in Ireland's ancient Brehon Laws, handfasting involves the bride and groom's right hands being tied together with a ribbon - in fact, it's where the phrase 'tying the knot' comes from! This tradition has been revived in recent years as more and more couples who are opting for secular or humanist weddings incorporate it to symbolise their future being joined together.

Claddagh Rings

Lots of couples choose to make their commitment with Claddagh rings, which symbolise love, friendship and loyalty - key ingredients in any new marriage. A Claddagh ring with the heart pointed outwards means someone is looking for love, while when it's pointed in it means the wearer's heart already belongs to another.

The speeches

Traditionally, Irish wedding speeches were a man's affair, with the groom, the best man and the father of the bride called on to share a few words. At many weddings today, the mic is shared with the female members of the bridal party. The days of a raucous best man's speech are largely gone, and the expectation is that speeches are of a more wholesome nature, paying tribute to the couple and their journey so far.

Photos

These days, many couples are rejecting the posed photos of the past. Instead of grinning until their mouths are aching as various groups of the bridal party, family and friends are posed beside them, many couples are choosing a more candid approach, where the photographer captures natural moments, giving you a book of cherished memories that truly records your day.

The sing-song

It simply wouldn't be an Irish wedding without a sing-song. Visitors from other countries might think that after the band or DJ is finished the night is about to wind down, but they are mistaken - the night is still young. A small crowd generally takes to the resident's bar for a few more drinks and some Irish tunes.

The after-party

So you finally got to bed at 4 or 5am and now you think the wedding is over? Not quite. It's not often you get all your family and friends together for a big occasion, and in recent years an after-party the following day has become a new tradition. After a few hours sleep, your closest friends and family get together for one more celebration before the couple heads off into married life.

Which will you be incorporating into your big day? And what other Irish traditions do you love?

If you're part of the bridal party, have you found the perfect gift yet? We have a wonderful range of traditional Irish wedding gifts that pay tribute to the couple and to Irish culture.

Get in touch if you have any questions, we're always happy to help.

How to choose a name for your baby

An exciting moment - and one of the first challenges - for new parents, is finding a name you both agree on for your little one. It's a huge responsibility too, since they will carry those names with them throughout their lives wherever they go and whatever they do.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a baby's name.

Popular versus unique

Jack and James topped the list of boy's names for both 2017 and 2018, while Emily was the most popular girl's name in 2018 followed by Grace. Some parents adore popular names, while others prefer something a little bit different. If you choose a popular name, half the street might come running when you call the kids for their dinner, but too unique a name might be difficult to pronounce and it could mean a lifetime of spelling it out for your son or daughter.

3 tips for choosing the perfect wedding present

Is that Irish?

Are you hoping to give your child an Irish name? Seán  Oisín, Rían, Tomás were some of the most popular names with a fada in 2018, while Róisín, Éabha, Aoibhín, and Áine are among the top 100 names for girls. Irish names offer children a piece of their heritage to take out into the world, but as mentioned above, they may be difficult to spell and pronounce. Think ahead. Names like Eoin and Aoife are common and unproblematic in Ireland, but our Celtic fondness for vowels proves extremely confusing abroad, and can be frustrating for them if they grow up and move to Australia or Canada. 

Check out our range of Irish-made baby gifts. 

How does it sound?

Are your favourite names melodic or do they sound strong? Does it fit with what you want for your little one? Consider the rhythm of the first name and surname together - and don't forget the middle name if you're giving your child one. The names need to work individually and together.

Family matters 

Grandparents, aunts and uncles will all have strong opinions when it comes to choosing a name. Perhaps the first son is traditionally a Thomas or you always have a girl called Maire, but that doesn't mean you have to follow the tradition. Be sure to listen to what they have to say - after all, they're your future babysitters - but remember the final decision is for the parents alone. No matter what you call your little boy or girl, they will be loved by all around them.

Trends

Are you thinking about naming your little girl Danaerys or your little boy Theon? Remember that 20 years from now, Game of Thrones will be a distant memory - and you may end up wondering why you named your child after it! Remember, trends come and go - so pick a name that you'll love for a lifetime, no matter what changes come along.

Ogham: A symbol of Ancient Ireland

See some samples of our beautiful custom-made
baby gifts here. 

Initial that

Children pick up on even the smallest things, so they may not appreciate having to initial things if their name is Frank Anthony Turner or Paula Isabel Grant. Even in adulthood, these things can cause embarrassment - so make sure to consider them.

Nicknames

It's likely that your wider family and friends will give baby cute little nicknames. This will include shortening their names, like calling girls called Catherine something like Kate or Katie instead, or shortening William to Bill. Do you like the shortened version? What are the most obvious rhymes for your chosen name, and are they flattering?

A new baby in the house is such a joyous time. Ultimately, while there's a lot to consider, the most important thing is to choose a name you and your partner love.

Get in touch with us at Irish Gift Solutions if you would like a personalised gift for a new baby in your life, we have a full range that can be completely customised.