What is Ogham Wishes ?

     Many years ago, Steve and I had the great opportunity to visit the village of Knockcroghery in County Roscommon.  We were there to visit an amazing artist that we had met at a Celtic Trade Show. Ethel Kelly and her family run the Claypipe Center located in the center of town.  When Ethel's family started renovating the property they discovered that it had been used as part of a thriving Clay Pipe industry in the town for over 300 years.  Claypipes were popular Ireland in the 18th and 19th Century.  We have known Ethel for over 20 years and consider her a friend.  She, her daughter Sara and their talented team havetheir artist studio in the location where they are continuing to make the traditonal Clay Pipes, Ogham Wish and other Handmade Artwork. 

     Ogham is an early form of the written alphabet in Ireland, Wales and Scotland.  Dating to the 1st century is consists of 20 figures carved into stones reading from bottom to top. The word Ogham actually means letters and the stones with ogham markings can be found thoughout the country.  Ethel's Ogham Wishes honor that history and create it in a modern form making it the perfect gift for anyone.  Ethel hand paints each piece on hand made paper and it is then placed in a simple black frame. Each Ogham Wish comes with the English, Gaelic and Ogham spelling of the word along with a history and explaination.  We have been selling Ogham Wish and the Irish Claypipe in our shop for as long as Ethel has been making them.  You can find them on our website and in our shop. They have and will continue to be one of our most favorite products.