Here on Irish Made Gifts, we have a rich mix of designers, all with individual identities and backgrounds. Have you ever wondered where Pamela finds inspiration or how Donagh Glavin selects a place to take a photo? Perhaps you’re interested in Rynhart’s background or how Tony Farrell makes his creations so smooth.
Well ponder no more…..
Today we’re chatting to bronze sculptress Audrey of Rynhart Bronze.
- Audrey Elliott of Rynhart Bronze
1) Audrey, you were one of the first designers to Irish Made Gifts. What was it about our vision that inspired you to take that step?
After meeting and talking to Deborah it became apparent that we had the same vision to create and supply great quality giftware that is 100% made in Ireland using Irish companies to supply us with our raw materials and services where ever possible.
2) Your products are steeped in history, tell us a little about the history of the business
We are a family run business based in Glengarriff, West Cork. My parents started the business in 1981 and my husband and I took it over in 2009. Our company was really put on the map in 1988 when Jeanne was commissioned to sculpt the Molly Malone statue for Dublin City’s Millenium in 1988.
- Molly Malone watches over Dublin’s fair city
She is one of Ireland’s most renowned sculptors and we are privilidged to have her input into the company as she still creates fantastic art pieces for us today.
3) The Titanic memorial was a particularly special occasion for you, how did you feel when you were asked create a scuplture to mark the event in Cobh?
Cobh has an amazing maritime history and we have been very happy to be able to mark some of their most famous occasions with our art work. In 1993 Jeanne was commissioned to sculpt the Annie Moore statue to commemorate the first people to pass through the Ellis Island Emigration Centre in New York.
- Annie Moore leaving Cobh
Earlier this year we brought out a range of framed bas-relief bronzes to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic. We were delighted to be asked to supply the Cobh Titanic Experience , Cobh Heritage Centre and the new Titanic Centre in Belfast with this new range.
4) And for our fans, what new products can we hope to see arriving on Irish Made Gifts in the next three months?
We have doubled our range of framed bas-reliefs through out the year and have included some new Christmas pieces. We are very excited to be working on a potentially patentable range of artwork, which of course will be available on the Irish Made Gifts website in 2013. Plus we had our debut on the RTE television program ‘Shopping From Home’ for the month of December.
