Celtic Cross pendants are a beautiful way to wear and share your Irish heritage with the world. These culturally significant emblems of Ireland are found all over the Emerald Isle.
For Easter this year I have a lovely Silver Celtic Cross Necklace to share with you, courtesy of Aidan from Gifts of Ireland.
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Celtic Cross Necklace
This lovely necklace is perfect for celebrating your Irish heritage and it's valued at $70.
Before I tell you the details of how to enter for a chance to win, let's first take a look at the history of Celtic Crosses in Ireland and the beautiful jewelry to be found in the Gifts of Ireland online store.
Jewelry Inspired by Ireland's Rich Heritage
Celtic crosses are found spread all across the islands of Ireland and Britain. It's a symbol of our Christian faith and found in cemetries in all four corners of Ireland.
The Celtic Cross can be spotted in some of Ireland's most majestic places, highlighting some of the island's most breathtaking landscapes.
We usually think of the Celtic Cross as being a uniquely Irish symbol, but they're found all over the British Isles and even in Brittany in France, which was also a Celtic nation.
In a previous post I shared some lovely images of these Celtic Crosses for Easter, together with some lovely Irish sayings and blessings for Easter.
Here's my favorite saying from this collection:
"You are the peace of all things calm,
You are the place to hide from harm.
You are the light that shines in dark,
You are the heart's eternal spark.
You are the door that's open wide,
You are the guest who waits inside.
You are the light, the truth, the way,
You are my Savior this very day."
~ Celtic Blessing From The First Millennium
Celtic Knotwork
Celtic knots are intricately interwoven patterns found inscribed on standing stones and Celtic crosses in Ireland.
This artistic knotwork holds important spiritual meaning and symbolizes the deep bonds that exist between people and nature, plust the neverending and interconnected bonds of love and eternal life.
The important thing to note about Celtic knots is that they are not truly single standing knots, but are complete loops that have no start or finish.
This is why they are said to represent eternity with no beginning or end, and this idea can be applied to mean loyalty, faith, friendship and love, which are also associated with the Claddagh ring.
When you draw a Celtic knot it is important to start a a specific point and eventually return to this starting point - no beginning, and no end, just how life and eternity are interconnected. Our Celtic ancestors were deep thinkers for sure.
The Circle of a Celtic Cross
The center ring of the Celtic Cross is what makes it truly eye catching.
It is a representation for infinite love, with no beginning and no end. It not only represents human love, but is also a symbol of God's endless love. It is also said to be a representation of Christ's halo.
Legend has it that Saint Patrick used the Celtic affinity for circular patterns to combine the Christian cross with the Celtic symbol of the sun. And as we all know, his intuition worked - the Irish became a Christian nation under his direction and tutelage.
About Gifts of Ireland
Aidan, an Irishman from County Offaly, is the founder of Gifts of Ireland, an online giftstore that is located in County Dublin.
He travels the length and breadth of the Emerald Isle to bring Irish made gifts to his virtual shelves.
He sources unique designs, meets Irish craftspeople in their workshops, and brings the very best of Irish artistry to you.
The Irish jewelry collection featured by Gifts of Ireland, includes modern and traditional Celtic jewelry. Aidan chooses pieces that celebrate the icons of Ireland, including the Celtic Cross.
He loves to share the stories associated with each product to bring you an authentic piece of Ireland.
Why not check out his extensive Irish and Celtic jewelry collection.
When you buy from Gifts of Ireland, you're getting a little piece of Ireland, directly to your door.
The Prize
Our prize today is for a Sterling Silver Celtic Cross necklace with a traditional Celtic knotwork embossed design.
The cross itself measures 20mm high (not including the bale) and it's 13mm wide. It comes fitted with an 18″ sterling silver chain.
A sterling silver Celtic cross, its stem, arms and circular arc feature traditional Celtic knotwork patterns.
Handcrafted in Dublin, this beautiful piece is hallmarked at the Irish Assay Office in Dublin Castle.
This beautiful necklace represents our Celtic and Irish culture, and is a beautiful way to share your Irish heritage and wear this iconic emblem.
One lucky reader will win this lovely Irish necklace. Here's how to enter for a chance to win.
How To Enter Our Giveaway
To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time on Saturday April 23rd, 2022.
You can write any comment you wish. What you write does not affect your chance of winning. If you need inspiration why not let us know if you have ever worn a Celtic Cross.
If you live in Canada or Ireland, then please answer the following question in your comment by typing A, or B for the correct answer ...
The Celtic Cross is a symbol of Ireland.
A. True
B. False
A winning comment will be chosen randomly using the Pick Giveaway Winner WordPress plug-in.
Remember to leave your email so that I can contact you should you win. Your email won’t be published, just used to contact our winner to organize prize delivery.
The winner will be announced on Saturday April 23rd, 2022 at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries here.
A big thank you to all who support this giveaway and share it with family and friends.
And many thanks to Gifts of Ireland for so generously sponsoring this prize, and sharing their story with us today.
Update - Winner Chosen
Our winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Kathy Madden
I’ll send an email to arrange mailing of her prize. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this giveaway by leaving comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment.
Thank you all for supporting our Irish American community.
Stay tuned for more stories and giveaways over the coming weeks and months.
If you like Irish jewelry then you may wish to check out these other Irish jewelry makers and giftshops.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Sheila Kearney
What a beautiful cross! I do have a Celtic cross necklace but it's not in this beautiful style. Thank you for explaining the meaning of it as well. That makes it even more special. It will be a blessing to whoever wins it (which I'm hoping is me)!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sheila - Thank you for stopping by to support our giveaways. I really appreciate all the readers of Irish American Mom, who love Ireland like I do.
All the best,
Mairéad
Samantha Pattie
Being Irish is one of the most happiest and loving this about my existence. Would love the chance to win that heritage. 🍀🥰 Enjoy this site so much, thank you.
Irish American Mom
Hi Samantha - It's lovely to know you're proud of your Irish heritage. Thanks for checking out my ramblings and for exploring our Irish cultural inheritance here in our Irish American community.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
☘️☘️☘️
Trixie Jones
The more I read your wonderful words about Ireland, it's culture, it's history, it's people, I realize more and more that it is home in my heart. I don't know if I'll ever make it there in person, but I will always carry the Irish pride within me. This necklace would be worn with the utmost love and strength of heart I have in me.
Irish American Mom
Hi Trixie - I hope you make it to Ireland someday, but in the meantime thanks for following my rmablings. I'm so glad to learn you enjoy exploring your Irish heritage here in our Irish corner of the internet. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Bridget. Conroy
True
Irish American Mom
Hi Bridget - Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Lisa
A is the answer. I’m from Canada and enjoy reading your messages
Irish American Mom
Hi Lisa - Thanks for reading my ramblings, and supporting our raffles.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cynthia Arant
Both sides of my family were originally from Ireland. Maybe I will be able to travel there someday.
Irish American Mom
Hi Cynthia - I hope you make it to Ireland someday soon and can experience the land of your forebears. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Molly Dennehy
I love the deep meaning of the Celtic knot and circle - wearing the Irish cross is something I would be proud of and my Claddagh ring has generated many a conversation about love and its spiritual meaning.
Such talks lead me to a fun conversation about the book 'How the Irish saved Civilization'- of course when Europe was in turmoil the monks were preserving history with their writings, which some people don't know - I remember visiting a small island with a broken walls and was told Irish kings came there to train and be in prayer with the monks- it felt like a deeply spiritual place and I could imagine their footsteps were there.
Irish American Mom
Hi Molly - I really enjoed reading that book. I must feature it in a blog post someday soon. Thanks for celebrating your Irish heritage here in our little corner of the internet.
Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Molly Dennehy
Such a deeply spiritual design, the knot and the circle. I am proud to have Irish roots, and love to tell people of the story...."How the Irish saved Civilization." God Bless
Irish American Mom
Hi Molly - Thanks for being such a loyal reader.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary
It's a beautiful necklace. Thanks for sharing!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - Thanks for reading my ramblings, and supporting our raffles.
All the best,
Mairéad
Deirdre
Beautiful Celtic Cross! I really enjoy reading your emails about everything IRISH☘️
Irish American Mom
Hi Deidre - Thank you for stopping by to support our giveaways. I really appreciate all the readers of Irish American Mom, who love Ireland like I do. Thanks for following along.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ailis C. MhicNeilly Brown ( Allyson C. Brown)
Dia Dhuit Mairead, I hope I win this cross for my sister's birthday present, especially as this IS the First Time I have been able to enter, due to being in Canada! I am overjoyed with this opportunity!! I love your site and pass your emails on to others, so they can experience your warmness and informative posts.
We were very blessed to go to Ireland for our honeymoon. I was able to visit Cavan, where my family is from and my husband's family is from Antrim and Donegal. My ancestors came over in the early 1800s and sadly my several greats grandfather lost his entire family, except for a married daughter and her husband, who came over at another time. What a sad way to have to start life and clear a farm all alone in a different country. I grew up in the house he built and we still own and live on his farm. He must have been a man of enduring faith and great stamina to endure such hardships. When I visited Cavan, I found the area rather boggy, and it is rather interesting that the terrain on our farm is swampy and boggy, in some areas. I could see why the farm felt like home!
Go raibh maith agat,
Ailis
p.s. THE ANSWER IS b FOR THE CELTIC CROSS
Irish American Mom
Hi Ailis - So glad you like this prize and have someone in mind who would appreciate it. Lovely to hear you had the chance to visit Ireland for your honeymoon. Thanks for sharing your family's connections with Ireland. Our ancestors were amazing people who endured and survived many hardships. It's amazing to learn that your ancestors found a little farm in America that probably reminded them of their homeplace in Ireland. I'm so glad you appreciate the bits and pieces about Ireland and the Irish that I share.
All the best,
Mairéad