Mini Inish

Handcrafted replica of the iconic Bishop’s Gate in Derry City, measuring 9″ in length and 4″ in height. This is a striking piece with incredible detailed stonework that is wonderfully dynamic under light! This makes a fantastic talking piece in any environment and is a completely unique creation. Bishop’s Gate was one of the four original entrances to the city. The current gate was erected in 1789 in commemoration of the 1689 siege. It was built in the style of a triumphal arch to celebrate the centenary of the ‘Shutting of the Gates’. The gate is constructed from buff ashlar sandstone and has a central semi-circular-arched vehicular opening flanked by two flat-arched pedestrian passages. The architect was H.A. Baker, with the sculpted head keystones representing the River Foyle (external) and the River Boyne (internal) designed by Edward Smyth, who had sculptured the thirteen riverine heads on the Dublin Custom House in c.1784. On either side of the gate are steps giving access to the City Walls. The gate was commandeered by the British Army during ‘The Troubles’ and has since become a major tourist attraction in peace time.

Handcrafted replica of the ancient St. Mura’s slab cross at the Abbey site in Fahan, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. The Piece measures 7″ high and 4″ wide, with a grassed compound base which highlights the hyper-realistic stonework and precise detailing faithful to the original artefact. In the ancient graveyard of St Mura stands an early carved Christian cross-slab of the 7th century CE. St Mura’s holy well stands close by the cross-slab. Amongst the monastic ruins of St Mura’s 17th century church and early Christian monastery, founded by St Columba, stands an elaborately carved cross-slab of the 7th-8th century CE. The slab is thought to have marked the grave (bed) of St Mura (550-645) who was appointed first abbot here by St Columba in 597 about the time when the saint died at Iona. The slab is slightly pointed at the top and is carved (on the front face) with intricate ribbonwork interlacing within which a long Latin-style cross rises up. At the top there a four small boses between the arms and a fifth in the centre of the cross-head. The western face has two figures at each side of the cross; they have long hair and equally long garments. There is a faint inscription which probably recalls abbot Mura or Muraghtagh, while on the east face there are some birds; the workmanship on both sides being very elaborate with thick ribbonwork, in the form of a stem, taking ones eyes ever upwards to the top of the slab itself.

Piece dimensions: Approx 5" across, 6" high, 2" wide. £ dimensional piece which can bbe displayed in 360 degrees. Handcrafted finecast plasterwork replica of the Beautiful 7th Century Saint Patrick's High Cross at Carndonagh, replete with free standing pillars featuring fully engraved depictions on all sides. Historians date the Carndonagh high cross to the seventh century, making it one of the oldest of its type in Ireland. This early Christian relic is a red sandstone slab cut out in the shape of a cross, and engraved with a rich, low relief that mixes Celtic artwork and Christian iconography. The west face is completely covered with a Celtic interlacing, while the east face depicts a crucifixion scene. Quite surprisingly, the crucifixion scene is placed on the shaft of the cross rather than its head. Typical of Irish crosses, Jesus is not depicted as suffering or defeated, but rather erect and triumphant. Two small, separate pillars frame the cross, decorated with various characters, such as David with his harp and a large warrior believed to be Goliath. Today, the cross and its pillars are a National Monument of Ireland and can be visited freely in Cardonagh.

Handcrafted plasterwork Grianan of Aileach with St Patrick’s Well on the Hill. Dimensions approx 5″ length, 3″ high. 3 dimensional piece, able to be displayed in 360 degrees! More a representation than my usual replication approach to heritage, I thought this fun little piece would make a delightful talking point on any table, or even a beautiful bookstop. This piece is based on the stunning Grianan of Aileach and the hilltop on which it sits overlooking Inch Island and the Inishowen Peninsula, with its winding ascending road, and not forgetting Saint Patrick’s Well on the hillside, site of many a wish and prayer down through the centuries. Legend has it that Saint Patrick himself blessed this well! It would be a fair bet that this is likely the smallest Grianan anywhere, complete with stairways, levels and even the tunnels visible in the interior! I loved creating this piece and I hope that you’ll love having it your home.

The piece dimensions are: approx 3.5″ high/ 6″ across. 3 dimensional piece which can be displayed in all 360 degrees. The beautiful Kilclooney dolmen in West Donegal dates from c.3500 BC. Its impressive capstone measures 13-feet wide, 20-feet long and stands over six feet high. This makes it one of the largest and heaviest examples in Europe weighing in at over 100 tonnes! The massive capstone looks different from every angle and some say it resembles a bird taking to flight, a whale, a dolphin, and even an alligator. The lower end of the capstone is unusually supported by an extra back stone which is believed to have been built into the design to allow extra light to shine into the tomb. There is a court tomb nearby and a smaller dolmen which has partly collapsed. This area of ardara in Donegal is Ireland at its most magical. To view more pieces please visit our store at Mini Inish

Beautifully handcrafted Beltany Stone Circle, as located in Raphoe, Co. Donegal. Handcrafted Beltany replica. Dimensions: 6″ across/ 2″ high This delightful piece features replicates of the most prominent standing stones on the site, capturing the mysticism and magical energy of the mysterious standing circle that is so sorely overlooked. I created this piece in particular to try to highlight the site and create more awareness of the less recognised heritage sites we are blessed with here in the Northwest of Ireland. Beltany Stone Circle is an impressive megalithic site located in County Donegal, in the Irish province of Ulster, and is one of Ireland’s largest stone circles. Thought to have been erected during the late Bronze Age (1400-800 BC), mystery remains as to what the ancient structure was used for, but it is believed to have been associated with religious rituals which included observations of the sun and moon. The discovery of a sculpted stone head dating to centuries after the construction of the circle suggests that this monument remained a place of ceremonial activity for hundreds of years after it was first built. The name of the site is said to have been derived from ‘Bealtaine’, the fire festival celebrated by the Celts , and known also as May Day. Traditionally, the Festival of Beltaine or Beltane was celebrated with the lighting of bonfires on the top of hills, and the movement of livestock to summer pastures. These celebrations were believed to ensure protection, as well as to guarantee a good harvest for the year. It has been suggested that the name of the site is an indication that the site’s function as a pagan ritual centre had survived in the folk memory of the local population. To view more products from our store go to Mini Inish 

Bring the magic of Newgrange into your own home with this beautifully sculpted plasterwork Newgrange Entrance Stone piece. This piece is particularly striking under light, given the deep carvings of the intricate spirals and wavelines. A wonderful gift for someone special or even just for yourself! Given its substantial weight, it can easily operate as a beautiful bookstop as well as an ornament! The Entrance Stone at Newgrange is regarded as one of the masterpieces of European Neolithic art. The artist who carved it used a flint or quartz point and picked out the designs. We know that the stone was carved where it still stands i.e. after it was moved into position. We are unable to translate or understand the meaning of the art or to even know if it had a meaning. However, most people believe that for those who built the monument the art had a magical or religious significance. To go inside the chamber 5000 years ago, one had to cross over the Entrance Stone. Perhaps it acted as a physical barrier or threshold between this world and the world of the spirits. To view more pieces please visit our store at Mini Inish

Handcrafted, highly detailed plasterwork An Grianan of Aileach. Looks, feels and weighs like genuine stone! Handcrafted plasterwork An Grianan sculpture, measuring approx. 8″ across, 3.5″ high. weight: 1.4kg The origins of the Grianán of Aileach fort are dated back to 1700 BC. It is linked to the Tuatha de Danann who invaded Ireland before the Celts and built stone forts on top of strategic hills. They worshipped Dagda (the Good God) and he too is associated with the origins of Aileach. It was he who ordered the building of a stone fort to act as a burial monument to his dead son. The round fort is built largely without mortar. The interior has three terraces and wooden structures were built against the terraces to provide accommodation. The outline of Bronze Age or Iron Age ramparts can be seen below the fort. Legend states that the giants of Inishowen are lying sleeping but when the sacred sword is removed they will spring to life reclaiming their ancient lands. It is thought that St Patrick visited the site in the 5th century and baptised the local chieftain, Eoghan (from whom Inis Eoghan gets its name), here. To view more pieces please visit our store at Mini Inish