Welcome to the second day of our Twelve Days of Christmas Irish Gift Giveaways. Thank you for stopping by to support these lovely Irish gift raffles for Christmas.
In the US it’s a holiday week where thankfulness takes center stage. Today, I’m thankful for you. I’m thankful for the amazing community we’re building together, full of people from all walks of life, and from all over the world.
But we have one thing in common. We all LOVE Ireland. You are a part of this little Irish American community, and it’s truly an honor and a privilege to get to build this corner of the internet with you.
Alright, enough of my rambling! Let’s get to the prize for today's little raffle.
This gift is once again brought to you by Aidan from Gifts of Ireland. And once again it has a very special connection to Ireland and our heritage of thatched cottages.
And so, without further ado, let me show you our second lovely prize.
(A quick tip from Mom - Take a look at the video at the top or side of this post to see the prize in more detail)
Day 2 Prize: Belleek Connemara Cottage Christmas Ornament
Thatched cottages are beloved symbols of Ireland, which is reflected in the design of this lovely Christmas ornament from Belleek.
Inspired by the rugged, yet quaint beauty of Connemara in County Galway, an artistic thatched cottage adorns this bauble. When you drive along the Wild Atlantic Way or through the mountains of Connemara you will spot many old thatched cottages surrounded by dry stone walls. Some cottages lie in ruins, but in Connemara many are still lived in.
On the roads of the West of Ireland you will be greeted by sheep along the way. They rule the roads in this neck of the Irish woods. Don't be surprised if you get caught in a sheep traffic jam.
My father grew up in a thatched cottage in County Cork. The photo above was taken in the 1950's.
Unfortunately, the house is no longer standing. My uncle lived there until the early 1970's but it was in a very isolated location in a valley called Glenanaar.
My uncle sold the farm where he was born and bought another, that is located further down the mountain and closer to the village of Kildorrery.
I still feel nostalgic when I think about the old place. If I every have oodles of money, I'll buy it back and restore it. That's my dream.
Check Out Our Video Prize Reveal
At the top of this post I've shared another short video featuring this lovely prize.
You'll get a much better appreciation for this thatched cottage themed ornament if you watch the video.
Plus I share another Irish Christmas blessing at the end of the video. We have a blessing for each day of our giveaways.
How To Purchase From Gifts of Ireland
Aidan stocks a wide selection of gifts from Belleek Pottery.
You can purchase this lovely Christmas Thatched Cottage ornament through this link...
Plus Aidan has a Black Friday sale now on. For items over $50 you'll receive 20% off plus a free gift.
How To Enter Our Giveaway
One reader will win a Belleek Pottery Connemara Christmas Bauble.
To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021.
You can write any comment. If you need inspiration why not let us know if you have ever visited a thatched cottage in Ireland.
If you live in Canada or Ireland, then please answer the following question in your comment by typing A, B or C for the correct answer ...
In which Irish county is Connemara located?
A. County Waterford
B. County Galway
C. County Louth
A winning comment will be chosen randomly using the Pick Giveaway Winner Wordpress plug-in.
Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our winner for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries here.
A bit thank you to all who support this giveaway and share it with family and friends. Why not spread a little Irish Christmas cheer with those you love this year?
Any many thanks to the good folks at Gifts of Ireland for so generously sponsoring this prize, and all the prizes in our 12 Days of Christmas Irish Gift Giveaways.
Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for Day 3 of our Irish giveaways. And don't forget to enter our Day 1 giveaway for the lovely Bronze Celtic Christmas Tree.
I'll add the links to all our giveaways as we progress through our 12 days.
- May The Road Rise To Meet You Irish Blessing Plate Day Twelve Gift
- Irish Tweed Cap Day Eleven Prize
- Health, Love and Happiness Ogham Wishes Day Ten Gift
- Love, Loyalty and Friendship Irish Wall Art Day 9 Gift
- Celtic Pocket Watch By Mullingar Pewter Day 8 Gift
- Erin Knitwear Hat For Her Day Seven Gift
- Celtic Cross Silver Pendant Day Six Gift
- Donegal Tweed Scarf Day Five Christmas Gift
- Ireland Photo Frame Day Four Christmas Giveaway Prize
- Quiet Man Cottage - Day Three Prize For Christmas
- Day Two Of Our Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways
- Day One Of Our Twelve Days Of Christmas Giveaways
Update: Winner Chosen
Our second winner in our Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaways has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Amanda
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 and our Irish Gifts Giveaway spree.
Have a safe and happy holiday season.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Disclosure: Irish American Mom LLC has an affiliate relationship with Gifts of Ireland which means I earn a small commission should you purchase an item through the links on my blog. The price you pay is not affected. Thank you for supporting this Irish business.
Kelly D
I have not visited Ireland, but I would like to. Some of my extended family went back and met relatives and even saw the farm where my relatives had lived.
Marylou Shaffer
After my mom passed away I was sorting through some of her random recipes, cards a letters. There I found a photo from the 30’s of my granny’s family in front of the thatched “Drumbrick Row House you know so well”. I tried to find that house and it is gone as well. (Written on the back). I couldn’t believe the treasure I found!
Irish American Mom
Hi Marylou - How wonderful to have found that precious photo from the 1930's with it's little note. Drumbrick is near Kilmacrennan in County Donegal, I believe. There are some thatched cottages still in the village. Hold on to that photograph - it's a family treasure. Thanks so much for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jenny B
Thatched cottages of Ireland are my favorite. My dream is to own one. We often visit a nearby Irish pub in our city and think how cool it would be to have a thatched roof .
Irish American Mom
Hi Jenny - What a lovely dream. I too would love to own a thatched cottage in Ireland. Renovating and decorating a thatched cottage would be a wonderful experience. We can dream! Thanks for stopping by to check out this Christmas ornament giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Tawney Simmons
My husband and I visited Ireland in the fall of 2005. It was a wonderful experience that I will always treasure. I remember standing a top the Cliff of Mohr and thinking I had come home.
Irish American Mom
Hi Tawney - Standing on the Cliffs of Moher looking out on the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean is an experience of a lifetime. It stirs the soul and the heart, so it is no wonder you felt like you had come home. The Atlantic calls to anyone with Irish ancestry. Thanks for supporting our little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Sandra
I've not visited Ireland yet, but it is a place I'd love to visit in my lifetime. This bulb is beautiful.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sandra – I hope you make it to Ireland someday soon. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Angela Dougherty=Way
Hello! How fun and I love getting ideas for the family through these! Will also be cooking up more Irish food as well!
Irish American Mom
Hi Angela - Great to hear you find these posts helpful. And thank you for trying out my recipes and for joining in our Christmas fun.
All the best,
Mairéad
Geri Reed
What a wonderful symbol of the charming thatched cottages you still find dotting the landscape. Oh, to return to Ireland again someday!
Irish American Mom
Hi Geri - This little ornament is ever so cute and a lovely tribute to our Irish heritage of thatched cottages. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Christina Lordan
Love your blog I’m a Cork woman living in San Francisco. Connemara is in Connaught near. Galway. My oldest daughter did her study abroad in Galway then settled there.
Irish American Mom
Hi Christina - Lots of Cork natives and those with Cork ancestry have been stopping by in recent days. Welcome to our little corner of the internet. I hope your daughter is happy in Galway - such a lovely city and county. Thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Donna Sarog
Hi MaryLou,
I love your blog. I'm sitting in our "Irish Cottage" Family Room arranging our tabletop Christmas Tree when I checked my emails & saw this opportunity for the beautiful thatch roof ornament. This is so charming.
Thank you for making life fun...especially this time of year when it can get really bogged down with "stuff" to do. Blessings for a precious Christmas.
Irish American Mom
Hi Donna - I'm delighted to hear my emails bring you a little bit of Irish Christmas cheer these days. Nice to know you have decorated your family room in Irish cottage style. Thanks for your kind words about my blog and thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Wanda Stone
Loved my Ireland trip. Would enjoy having this ornament hanging on my tree.
Irish American Mom
Hi Wanda - So glad you like this prize. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
Hi Kelly - I hope you make it to Ireland to visit the farm where your ancestors once lived. That would be so wonderful.
Thanks for joining in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Johannah
My mom inherited land in Ireland from her uncle. She promptly gave it back to her family that still lived on the land. I think that was really the right thing to do. I hope it stays in the family forever.
Irish American Mom
Hi Johannah - I think your mother definitely did the right thing. It would be terrible for her relatives still living on the land to have to move. Wills have caused much trouble in Ireland over the centuries. Your mother did a generous, kind thing when she gave the land to her family. Rural Ireland's population is decreasing since many are now moving to the cities and towns for work. I hope your relatives prosper on their land for years.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cindy. Thomson
I have and I can’t wait to see one or dozens again!
Irish American Mom
Hi Cindy - I hope it won't be long before you get a chance to visit Ireland again.
All the best,
Mairéad
Susan Rasmussen
I haven't visited Ireland yet to see any but hope to soon! The ornament is lovely!
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - I hope it won't be long before you take your first trip to Ireland. So glad you like this prize. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Richard Dunn
That is a beautiful ornament would be a fantastic family heirloom to pass on down the family line for hopefully centuries
Irish American Mom
Hi Richard - I'm happy to hear you like this ornament too. It defintitely is one that would become a family heriloom to be treasured for generations.
Thanks for stopping by to support our giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ann Docherty
I enjoy your blog so much and have tried many of your recipes. I might make the potato leek soup today in fact! This cottage reminds me of my Granny's in Belmullet.
Irish American Mom
Hi Ann - How wonderful that this little cottage ornament reminds you of your granny's home in Belmullet. The west of Ireland is dotted with beautiful thatched cottages. I'm so glad you have tried and liked some of my recipes. My potato and leek soup is one of my favorites, so I hope you'll like it too.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sean
Cottages like these dot the landscape rural west of Ireland, with stunning views of the surrounding hills and ocean. I have longed to spend an extended period of time in that quiet stillness, punctuated by the distant bleating of sheep!
Irish American Mom
Beautifully said, Sean. How peaceful would that be - a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Thanks for checking out today's raffle.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary Shelley
Hello Mairead , It was lovely seeing the cottage your Dad grew up in. I can understand why it makes you nostalgic ☘️
Love hearing your Irish Blessings , thank you ! And thank you for yet another lovely souvenir from Ireland .
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - So glad you like that photo of "the old place." My Dad loves to recite the poem that goes like this,
"I remember, I remember the house where I was born,
And the little window where the sun came peeping in at morn."
He has such good memories of growing up there.
Thanks for checking out my video and listening to these Irish blessings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Janice Reed
I love the thatch cottage and I used to raise sheep so I really like the
Christmas ornament. I also love the blessings! Marry Christmas to you!
Irish American Mom
Hi Janice - How wonderful to have raised sheep. My aunt and uncle in West Cork are sheep farmers. I love to see all the little lambs in the fields in spring. So beautiful.
Thanks for entering this little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Suzanne
Hi Mairead. I made my rutabaga yesterday with tips/tricks you gave me about 8 years ago. It was delicious as always. My husband and I will be eating it again tonight (leftovers!). I’d love to win the thatched cottage ornament. It’s beautiful.
Irish American Mom
Hi Suzanne - Great to hear your mashed rutabaga was a success again this year. I always love it with mashed potatoes. So glad you like this beautiful Belleek ornament.
Take care,
Mairéad
Danielle Goodman
I was looking thru a magazine the other day that had some lovely thatched roof homes for sale. Did a little daydreaming.
Answer is County Galway.
Irish American Mom
Hi Danielle - I too would be dreaming if I was leafing through that magazine. Someday I would love to restore an old Irish cottage. Wouldn't it be great fun to take on a project like that and record it through this blog. Everyone could join in. Just ne dreaming as usual.
All the best,
Mairéad
Deborah Egizii
I have a few pieces of Belleek pottery. This lovely ornament would have a special place on my tree! Thanks for these opportunities- your “give-always” are so much fun!
Irish American Mom
Hi Deborah - One of these thatched cottage ornaments would be the perfect addition to your Belleek collection. Thank you for joining in our Christmas giveaway fun.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Sue Earnest
I did see some thatched cottages when I visited Ireland in 2019 and I received a beautiful Belleek vase as a thank you gift from a coworker that I took back and forth to work for a few years. This ornament would be a lovely keepsake.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sue - Glad to hear you had the chance to visit Ireland in 2019 and got to see some thatched cottages. Your coworker was extremely generous in gifting you a Belleek vase. Their pottery is magnificent. Glad you like this lovely ornament.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Karen B O'Brien
This ornament is adorable. It really sums up Ireland!
Irish American Mom
Hi Karen - So glad you like this prize. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Deborah Egizii
“Aways”. Darn spell check😊
Irish American Mom
I never noticed it. Spell check is can make the craziest changes.
Take care,
Mairéad
Betty Magennis
The answer to your question is County Galway. We did a trip through the Connemara mountains and there were lots of sheep. They loved to lay right in the middle of the road and most often we had to drive around them. I love the thatched cottages and am always amazed by them. We visited the Ulster American Folk Park in County Tyrone and what an amazing place - so much history! We spent the day and there was so much to see. I hope we can go there again. The Belleek ornament is gorgeous and anyone would be honoured to own one!
Irish American Mom
Hi Betty - So glad to hear you enjoyed your day at the Ulster American Folk Park. I have driven past it many times on may way to and from Letterkenny, County Donegal. I usually say to my husband that we need to stop there someday, but we're always on our way back to family in Dublin, or anxious to get to Donegal to see everyone. Next time I make it to Donegal I am going to take a day trip and go to the park. I have been to the Doagh Famine Village on the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal. It is another wonderful place to visit, with wonderful tours. The guides are very knowledgeable and tell amazing stories of the past. Thanks for checking out this lovely ornament.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Fiona
The correct answer is B. County Galway.
Like the baby Jesus, this beautiful yet simple cottage parallels Jesus' humble yet remarkable birth in an inn.
Another beautiful Xmas ornament. Wishing best of Irish luck 🤞 ☘ to all of us.
Irish American Mom
Hi Fiona - What a beautiful association to make. The humble stable in Bethlehem was probably very similar to these old rural Irish cottages. I also love the tradition of lighting a candle in cottage windows on Christmas Eve. Thanks for supporting this giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Marilyn
This is a beautiful addition to your Christmas tree.
Marilyn
Irish American Mom
Hi Marilyn - So glad you like this prize.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Joan
A lovely ornament to put on the tree.
Joan
Irish American Mom
Hi Joan - Thanks for stopping by to enter for a chance to win this lovely Irish ornament.
Take care,
Mairéad
Marion
Mairead the Thatched Cottage is a symbol of life in Ireland. I would love to put i t on my Christmas tree.
Marion
Irish American Mom
Hi Marion - This little thatched cottage would be lovely on your tree. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Susan Egan
Sitting with a cup of tea by the fire in a cottage like this would be a dream. Sad that this cottage isn't there anymore but the lovely memories will always be with you.
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - There's nothing like a cuppa tea by the fire. I remember the kettle hanging over the open fire in my granny's cottage kitchen.
Thanks for taking the time to enter this giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Donna
This is such a beautiful ornament of a thatched roof cottage. It would look absolutely beautiful on my tree and remind me of my ancestors who had the courage to come to the U.S. Thank you for introducing me to these beautiful gifts!
Irish American Mom
Hi Donna -I think this ornament is amazing too. It would be a fitting tribute to your ancestors to hang each year on your Christmas tree. So glad you like it, and thanks for stopping by to check out Day 2 of our Christmas giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Christi Caughey
This is so beautiful!! I love it!
Irish American Mom
Hi Christi - Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Anita Carol Gambrell
Oh my I would love to visit one day and see all these great shops and cottages!
Ginger
Connemara is a beautifully desolate area of Co Galway. The village of Roundstone in Connemara is one of my favorite places in Ireland. The beautiful ornament with a thatched cottage and sheep is a lovely reminder of the area.
Irish American Mom
Hi Ginger - I remember visiting Roundstone as a young girl. I'm sure it has changed a little since the 1970's but it was a beautiful place back then. Connemara is such a wild and wonderful part of Ireland. So glad you like this ornament.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
Hi Anita - I hope someday you'll make it to Ireland and get to visit all the wonderful historic places and experience the warm welcome of the Irish.
Thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jane C Ruge Petz
I have been to Ireland once and we stay in Wexford Co. at one of the castles. It has been a long time since that trip. We drove from Wexford to Waterford where my ancestors are from. I love the thatched houses. I have a cutting board that has the picture of a thatched house painted by a woman in MIchigan. The thatched house on my glass cutting board looks very much like this one.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jane - I'm delighted to hear you had the opportunity to visit Ireland. Kilmore Quay is a lovely village in County Wexford, not far from Waterford, that's home to many beautiful thatched cottages. Perhaps you were lucky enough to visit there. Lovely to hear you have a reminder of Ireland in your kitchen.
All the best,
Mairéad
Maureen Koebel
County Galway. (My father's family all lived in Clifden). Very pretty ornament of the thatched cottage 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Maureen - Clifden is a lovely town. The Sky Road leading to Clifden is an amazing drive with spectacular scenery. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Beth
I would love to have this ornament to remind me of my wonderful visit to Ireland. Thank you for sharing a blessing.
Irish American Mom
Hi Beth - I'm so glad you like the blessings I am sharing in the attached videos. It sounds like this little thatched cottage ornament would find a good home on your Christmas tree.
Take care,
Mairéad
Susan
Beautiful ornament depicting the Wild Atlantic Way. Visited there in 2015; breathtaking 😊
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - The Wild Atlatntic Way is beautiful from start to finish - spectacular scenery all the way. It has to be seen to be believed.
Take care,
Mairéad
Marie Morrissey
I have a few pieces of Belleek pottery purchased when I was able to visit Ireland. The ornament is perfect for the Christmas holidays. Thanks for your blog...interesting and informative.
Irish American Mom
Hi Marie - I'm so glad you enjoyed this blog post and like this Christmas ornament. And thank you for choosing to celebrate your Irish heritage by following my recipes and ramblings. I really appreciate it.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Mary Power
The BELLEEK CONNEMARA COTTAGE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT looks just the the cottages in Galway County (the answer is B) when I was there. I liked Galway Crystal as much as the Waterford. I went on a great pub crawl and came back in one piece. What beautiful memories I have of Galway County, that ornament would look great on my tree!
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - It sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip to Ireland and County Galway. There are many crystal makers in Ireland, but Waterford is the most widely knows. Glass artists who were trained in the original Waterford Crystal factory set up there own ventures in different parts of the country. Galway crystal is beautiful. Dublin and Tipperary crystal are also lovely. Thanks for joining in our giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Athena
This is lovely. Looking forward to each day 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Athena - Thanks for stopping by to support our giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Maureen
So glad to find the lovely Christmas blessings for my kin and the gluten free cookie recipes for the sake of my sweet little nephew. Thank you, Mairead.
Now I'm wondering if my Granddad lived in a thatched cottage like the ornament.
(P.S. I apologize for not knowing how to place the accent mark above the e within your name.)
Irish American Mom
Hi Maureen - Delighted to hear you like the Christmas blessings and that you found my gluten free Christmas cookier roundup helpful. I think many of our Irish ancestors were raised in thatched cottages. That's why we feel so connected with them as part of our heritage. Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
L Huenink
Visited Ireland in 2019 to visited where my great grandmother and great great grandfather came from. Can’t wait to return.
Irish American Mom
Hi there - I hope it won't be long before you make it back to Ireland and retrace the footsteps of your ancestors.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Carla Cooper-Hicks
I did not know that Irish people and people of Irish descent have a greater chance of being gluten intolerant or suffering from Celiac Disease! My great-great grandfather James Ryan came to America around 1850 and my niece is very gluten intolerant and I am quite gluten sensitive! We all have digestive difficulties. That's incredible it may be our Irish genes! Thank you for sharing that factoid!
Irish American Mom
Hi Carla - I'm glad you read my gluten-free recipe round up and read that little fact. The highest prevalence of celiac disease in the world is in Ireland and Finland, where celiac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals. In the US it affects about 1 in 133, and many of those people are of Irish descent.
Take care,
Mairéad
George Dula
This site makees me yearn to return to Ireland, land of my ancestors.
Answer: B
Irish American Mom
Hi George - Thank you for choosing to celebrate your Irish heritage by following my recipes and ramblings. I really appreciate it.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cat McCormick
The beautiful little cottage looks like so many all the Wild Atlantic Way. Going home to Galway to see my family the only ride I have ever been on is the ride through the Burren. The cottages are beautiful and peaceful. The cottage my Family lived in for two hundred years is still standing in a little village in Galway, our Cottage has a little green door. Wishing you a your a Happy Christmas 🎄
Irish American Mom
Hi Cat - How wonderful to hear that your family cottage in Galway has survived for centuries, with its green Irish door. I'm so glad you enjoyed today's raffle installment. Thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Patricia Delaney
I saw several thatched cottages in Ireland but did not visit any. Would love to someday though.
Irish American Mom
Hi Patricia - There are some lovely thatched cottages preserved in folk parks and as heritage museums in little towns. On your next visit I hope you can sit by the hearth and enjoy a warm fire in a little thatched cottage.
All the best,
Mairéad
Katie
I was able to visit Ireland in 2018 and fell in love with it!! It had been my dream to go Ireland. Seeing the thatched cottages just driving down the road! Being able to visit so many different cottages at Bunratty folk park was a great experience!
Irish American Mom
Hi Katie - Bunratty Folk Park truly is a treasure. I visited there many years ago and fell in love with it. At Christmas time it gets festooned in lights. I'm sure it is magical at this time of year.
All the best,
Mairéad
Karen D
Beautiful! Belleek Pottery has beautiful works of art!
Irish American Mom
Hi Karen - There artisans produce magnificent, nostalgic and culturally significant pieces. Thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Peggy D
Beautiful Belleek Ornament!
Irish American Mom
Hi Peggy - Thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary Ann
So very beautiful! I love reading the comments! Such a fun time taking part in the giveaways. Thank you!
God Bless us all!
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary Ann - The comments can be the best part of a blog post around this neck of the internet woods. Readers share so many lovely family stories, it makes my heart sing. Thanks for being such a loyal reader.
All the best,
Mairéad
Colleen
County Galway
Happy Holidays from Canada
Irish American Mom
Hi Colleen - I hope you too have a lovely holiday season. I'm so looking forward to Christmas this year.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Lori
The ornament is just lovely!
Irish American Mom
Hi Lori - I'm so glad you like this prize.
Take care,
Mairéad
Carol Brady
Lovely ornament! Would be so beautiful on my mantel hanging with a ornament hanger.
Irish American Mom
Hi Carol - That sounds like a perfect place to hang this little memento of Ireland. Thanks for stopping by to check out this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Claire
have only been there in my heart, but my family had a little cottage where we used to summer, just like that. so beautiful. thank you. B is for Galway but I'm in the US. blessings.
Irish American Mom
Hi Claire - Lovely to learn you hold Ireland dear to your heart. Many thanks for joining in our giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Rebecca Mills
Oh, i love the ornament! We saw many little thatched houses while exploring in Ireland in 2019. Also, we visited at a farm and had stories told beside a peat fire in the fireplace! Such wonderful memories!
Irish American Mom
Hi Rebecca - It sounds like you created some wonderful memories while in Ireland. Stories by the fireside are magical.
Thanks for reading my ramblings,
All the best,
Mairéad
Janet MacNamara
The ornament is very pretty and I would love to hang it on my Christmas tree. After Christmas it would look nice with some of my little Belleek pieces.
Irish American Mom
Hi Janet - This little ornament would be a lovely addition to your Belleek collection. Thanks for joining in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Renee Domingo
I know the answer is B. That's from all my research into different area's in Ireland. I know with all your fans I really don't have a chance, but anything would be greatly and lovingly appreciated.
Irish American Mom
Hi Renee - May the luck of the Irish be with you. Perpaps, you'll be the lucky one this time. Keep adding to the comments on each raffle each day, and your chances of winning a prize only go up.
All the best,
Mairéad
Terri
My sister and I dream of a trip to Ireland to see thatched cottages surrounded by stone fences and to walk where our ancestors walked.
Irish American Mom
Hi Terri - I hope someday that dream will come true. Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary Fitzgerald
B
Love the look of the thatched roof but what I miss is a good fire in the fireplace and the smell of a peat fire. Sitting around with friends - oh I miss Ireland so much. Thank you for the cookie recipes. I am gluten intolerant (and I've passed it on to my son and one grandson) so I'll try a few! Eating in restaurants in Ireland is so much easier than the US because they understand what Celiac is all about there. Fun contest!
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - My father andd sister are gluten intolerant, but I seem to have escaped. Irish restaurants offer so many more choices for those with gluten free needs than restaurants in the US. I have such lovely memories of sitting around the fire with family in my granny's cottage in County Cork. Those memories warm my heart.
Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jeanne M
I stayed in a thatched cottage when I visited Ireland 20 years ago. It was rustic and beautiful. Still
Have a picture of it framed on my wall.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jeanne - How wonderful that you had such a memorable trip and stayed in a thatched cottage. Thanks for supporting our little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Patrick
Love it!
Irish American Mom
Hi Patrick - Glad you like this prize. Best of luck in our drawing.
Take care,
Mairéad
Kathy Madden
My dad’s relatives come from Galway. It is my dream to visit the beautiful country of Ireland and walk the paths my ancestors walked.
B. County Galway
Irish American Mom
Hi Kathy - County Galway is so scenic, and the city of Galway is a very friendly and welcoming place. I hope you get to visit Ireland someday soon. Best of luck in our giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
Sheila Kearney
Hello for day 2!
I did get to visit Ireland in 2015 but didn't get to visit a thatched cottage. Maybe next time! This tree ornament is gorgeous. I currently don't have any Irish ornaments for my tree. I would love this one!
Thanks for all you do!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sheila - I hope you make it back to Ireland someday soon. You can visit a thatched cottage and see some other sites you missed on your first trip. Ireland is a small island, but there are so many things to do and so many places to see, you could visit many times over and never get to see everything.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jan Nuzum
Love your site. Enjoy reading about my Irish heritage.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jan - I'm so glad you enjoy my recipes and ramblings. Thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad