Galway Advertiser 1987/1987_12_10/GA_10121987_E1_008.pdf 

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A Sparkling Christmas from Doirin Crystal
1 HE PLEASURE to be got from looking at a piece of beautiful crystal, cut or uncut, plain or engraved is simply an exquisite one. Pleasure aplenty is to be found if you visit the workshop and showrooms of "Doirin Crystal" in the Weir, Kilcolgan. Ted Kennedy Jnr., son of Senator Edward Kennedy who visited Ireland during the year to speak of living with a disability received a piece of engraved crystal from the owners of "Doirin Crystal" and wrote a warm letter of thanks: "My visit to Ireland

was a memorable one, and with your crystal in my borne I shall never forget it".
T h i s letter is even more special because Doirin Crystal was formed in March of this year with the intention of giving employment to the disabled members of the Wheelchair Association of Ireland, engraving items of crystal glassware for the home and export market. All the crystal is designed by Brian Martyn and his craftspeople and beautifully designed it is.

are unique because they are hand done. "We do different things for clubs in different areas, for example badminton clubs, just in case one person is highly talented and wins several". They think of everything, these people in Kilcolgan! But it isn't only sporting and such events that Doirin Crystal design or engrave crystal for.

X he most demanding aspect of the work done in Doirin Crystal is engraving and decorating glass for special occasions. According to Brian Martyn, one of the people who carries out this delicate task, the word impossible has not hit the vocabulary of this particular group of people yet. "There is

N o occasion is unworthy, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christenings, you name it, Doirin Crystal will oblige and the workers will exercise their skill and creativity to fashion eyecatching and lasting designs. For example, for a wedding present, a double coat of arms -- hers and his -- can be etched, surrounded by a scroll on a biscuit barrel, fruit bowl or any piece you choose.

no type of engraving that we cannot do". A
good deal of the work that Doirin Crystal is commissioned to do consists of engraving glass trophies for sporting events. The craftspeople have created beautiful designs for fishing clubs, gun clubs, badminton clubs, yachting clubs and a host of other bodies such as those cruel groups who organise table

And bow about sending somebody a special Christmas card tins year; a glass greeting card. These come In a variety of colours and contain seasons greetings with festive figures. They are framed, set against a beautiful rich background and can stand on your mantelpiece to the envy of all visitors. As well as these delightful goods there is an array of glasses, bowls and plaques, cut, engraved, any way you prefer.

Just some of the Gifts that are present at the Christmas C which will be held in Corbettcourt Shopping Mall until C Eve.

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X he designs on these trophies are so beautiful that people have been known to lose all sense of restraint and common decency when competing for them, they have gone to amazing lengths, almost beyond the bounds of human endurance to have one of these Brian Martyn with one of the specially pieces in their homes! Brian is happy to assure people that all the designs on these trophies

everything until the last minute. But what a mistake they hav made because these folk have missed out on the gorgeous items be found from now until December 24th at the Corbettcourt Ma Craft Fair. That is of course, unless they decide to buy next year ents now! he Fair in the lower ground floor was opened last hoursfromMonday to Saturday arefrom9 to Monday by the Minister for Trade and Marketing, Seamus 6 with late openings on Thursdays and Fridays Brennan, and it features the work of people from the Spidda until 9. "Doirin Crystal" is also open on Craft Centre as well as craftspeople from many other areas. A Sundaysfromtwo to six. commissioned pieces, designed and usual it is supported by Udaras na Gaeltachta. There is an impressive range of goods to be found here, clothes, jeweller engraved by Doirin Crystal. and household items. Be prepared to be dazzled! COPY: JUDY MURPHY In the area of apparel you will see dramatic Ponchos, Scarve PHOTOS: BRENDA FITZS1MONS Stoles and Jackets, hand woven in pure new wool from Maire Thaidhg who also weaves colourful floor rugs and tapestries. The head barman, Christy GAnnon has also had extensive experience in hotels in People who go wild for Aran knitting will be happy with the Dublin and Galway. selection from "Proinsias". These are knit in old and new patter and all kinds of colours. ost people have a sweatshirt in their wardrobe and Another extremely attractive feature of the Beehive is its cleanliness, obvious when An Spailpin Fanach provide these items. They are silk you walk in. People have commented on this and give it great praise which is well screen printed with symbols and sayings influenced by the Iris deserved. language and culture. Other items include, linen skirts, Why The BEEHIVE PUB is Eyre Square gal its tarn* by arridemt, ret it's a name that is well not pop along to the Beehive and examine it for yourself and see if any of its wallhangings and bags made with linen Mohair is one of the offerings please you? For example they have a simply wicked cocktail, "The Cream of most luxurious wools and at the Corbettcourt Fair there is an deserved becaase the moaKot yoo eater the premises yoa caa see that the place is a lure of array of vividly coloured and stylishly designed coats, cardigans activity, win aoay happy easterners awl a frieadfy efficient bar staff easwmg that tbe Hive", made with Drambuie and Baileys. jumpers and suits. "One of Susans" is the name to look for. Th everythingrantsawothiy. The name came about when the pab was being iiaoiahi On Monday, December 21st (bat you don't have to wait until then) there is a special are made by a team of knitters working locally for Susan O night with a pooch reception and lots of surprises. It is a good idea to visit before that andhEoghaidh in Spiddal. These clothes can be enhanced by the earner a Ihe year. The workmen found ao ok) beehive hi the bonding and the owners e yourself with the territory so that you will have an even better time. jewellery featured at the Fair. Dei^PheiaaaadJahaRrilydeckWth^ eltic Gold which is a traditional workshop, has tbe Beehive and what i happy birth it was! simply divine handmade products, ranging from pendants featuring bog oak to those with Celtic designs and amazing ston This place caters for people of all ages and different tastes. Nooks and crannys abound such as zylite and malachite. in the downstairs bar which is tastefully decorated with wine seating and lighting to A different kind of Jewellery can be discovered at the stand Tearmann Crafts of Kinvara. Their speciality is enamel work complement the whole design. There are stained glass shades reminiscent of more and an extensive range of jewellery and other gifts are on glorious days and these are matched by the glass on tbe partitions that seperate all tbe display. cosy comers. If you visit the Beehive for a pint and suddenly get hunger pangs, fear not For your house, or your friend's as a present, how about th for all day long food is served. In the morning there is coffee, tea and scones and as soon range? There are floral arrangements aplenty. Roisin Conamara encases her's in aplexi in a mysterious way. She as your cup is finished one of the obliging barstaff will bear down upon you with the offer makes paperweights, desk-sets and displays. Janet Vinelle from of a refill. Such luxury and sin! For lunch there is home made soup and sandwiches and Barna also specialises in dried floral arrangements to adorn a they are delightful. Some people say that the folk in The Beehive take their home room. production so seriously that they grow chickens out the back! Personally I think that roducts on display from Tbe Stone Art Gallery in Spiddal include hand carving on black marble, Connemar might be a slight exaggeration, but there is no doubt that the lunchtime food is great and marble, and stone. Brooches and plaques are all made locall well worth sampling. Don't leave without trying tbe apple pie and cream (guess what-- There are also colourful batiks, prints and original paintings. homemade again!) which is a necessity for anybody who loves indulging. selection of original paintings and batik silk and cotton scarve are available from Mary O'Grady's stand. A n d what of the other aspects of the place, such as the Night Life? It's only great, For special Christmas candles visit the stand from Abbey Candles in Ballinrobe. An amazing selection! that's what it is: Every Monday and Wednesday Tom Dempsey delights the people in the iere are woodcrafts from Coilin 6 hEidhin featuring downstairs bar with his piano pUymg which has something to please everyone while on lamps and the Galway Hooker, and from Gerard O'Regan Friday evening, Daa McCoratack entertains. And for those of you who want soil more, Timber Leaves in Barna who makes, among other things, why not visit the bar upstairs, "Stingers", which is open to the public and has live puzzles, toys and table lamps. entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. Patch Craft in Barna can suppy you with quilts, bags and w "Stingers" is also ideal for a special occasion when something out of the ordinary is hangings that will delight. And in the stand occupied by Melt Pot you will find many other imaginatively made gifts and required. Tbe decor is different to that of the bar downstairs, having a more modem decorative items. look. The warmth is there as well however. It is a very inviting place and the lighting is o craft exhibition is complete without pottery and most attractive. this one is no exception. Erica Hadley of Spiddal Studio Craft Centre supplies pottery clocks, pipes and household goo in browns, greys, creams and other colours, while Sliding Ro A parties can be catered for here including dinner parties. From a Christening to n Pottery of Spiddal with Rob D'Earth will offer an individual st Golden Jubilees to Office Parties the revellers came, enjoyed themselves and of hand thrown pottery with everything from domesticware recommended it to their friends. decorative work. Now, aren't you glad you are a tardy perso And indeed why wouldn't they? The ownen, Derek, and keep a dose eye on leaving everything to the last desperate few weeks. WJjateve your taste or the size of your purse there is sure to be someth events and ensure that all goes smoothly. Derek is a una of much experience in the CHRISTY GANNON, head barman at the B e e h i v e , to grab your attention. It is a pleasure to wander among thes hostelry trade havmg worked in the Great Southern before embarking on this venture. the perfect host for every occasion. stands revelling in their delights and choosing your gifts.

f visit to Doirin Crystal is even more worthwhile from tomorrow until Christmas Eve as this is the time for a special promotion of their goods. All visitors and purchasers are assured of the greatest attention from the staff and are assured that there will be excellent value to be obtained in the shop. Business

A Gift from Craftsmen Will be Treasured PEOPLE have all Christmas by now and can back and ORGANISEDpresents boughtusprobablytearawayssitwho their smile smugly at the rest of poor leave

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The Beehive--Has the Greatest Buzz in Town

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