A Collaboration
Mary graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering from CIT in 2003 and worked as an engineer with a multi-national company designing electronic devices. Moving to Beara in 2008, she came to know the great community of artists there and began working as a graphic designer for the Buddhist centre Dzogchen Beara. Mary uses what is readily available to create new work. She uses pages from her collection of old books to paint and draw on. Now living in Ardfield, Clonakilty, she continues to use the rugged sea vistas as a source of inspiration. You can read more about Mary here.
When Irish Design Shop's Clare and Laura came across artist Mary Callaghan's lino prints, the strong linear quality, and contrasting shapes, they thought of the potential to translate her work in cut glass.
Criostal na Rinne is situated in Ireland's Ancient East on the Celtic Coast in the picturesque Irish-speaking area of An Rinn, the Waterford Gaeltacht; and is owned and run by Eamonn Terry, a native of the area.
As a former master craftsman cutter with Waterford Crystal, before establishing his own crystal studio in 1987, Eamonn has honed his craft for over 45 years, producing Irish crystal of breathtaking quality and beauty. Having been on our radar for some time, Eamonn was contacted as the ideal collaborator on this special project.
Both Eamonn and Mary shared an enthusiasm for the project which resulted in a seamless collaborative process. Three designs were chosen based on Mary's Dursey Collection of lino prints, a series which draws inspiration from three seasons Mary spent living on the rocky outcrop off the wild South West coast of Cork. Entitled "Fields", "Waves" and "Stone Walls", the satisfyingly weighty tumblers sit comfortably in the hand. Eamonn has ground the base of each glass, keeping the design minimal but for the inclusion of our Áras logo, engraved on the base of each.
