Kerry Gaeltacht Glimmers in the White House on St Patrick’s Day

Two companies from the Kerry Gaeltacht sparkled in the White House as part of the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day event.  Dingle Crystal, an Údarás na Gaeltachta client company, made the crystal bowl which held the shamrock presented to the President of the United States Joe Biden in the White House in Washington.

The shamrock presented in the bowl was grown in Baile an Sceilg by IPI Teoranta, another client company of Údarás na Gaeltachta.  The presentation indicates the great admiration for Gaeltacht products made here at home, products which are in demand around the globe and which took centre stage as part of today’s events.

Dingle Crystal is a client company of Údarás na Gaeltachta whose craft business has been located in  Daingean Uí Chúis since 1999.  The Department of the Taoiseach chose this company to make this year’s crystal bowl which was designed and hand cut by the owner of Dingle Crystal Seán Daly.

The design of the bowl was inspired by the ancient cup and ring rock art which can be found throughout the Dingle Peninsula. To mark this special occasion, these surround the shamrock and harp designs, representing Ireland and its close ties to the United States of America. Central to the design of the bowl is a panel with the customary engraved inscription, which this year is as Gaeilge.

Speaking about the occasion, the owner of Dingle Crystal Seán Daly said:

“Being involved in the crystal industry for over 45 years this is my biggest honour, to be able to showcase my work on such a great occasion. We as a family, and as a Gaeltacht business, are proud to have been commissioned to craft the Shamrock Bowl being presented to President Biden this year. We pride ourselves on being one of the last crystal studios to still design and cut by hand whilst passing on the tradition of hand cutting down to the next generation and keeping the art alive.”

Joe Sugrue Director of IPI Teoranta spoke of the event:

“We are extremely proud that our national emblem, which is grown here in South Kerry, has been presented to the President of the United States, a 25 year tradition to date.  We hope that as St. Patrick’s Day festivities are reinstated that more and more people will enjoy the Irish shamrock.”

Congratulating both companies Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta added:

“We are very pleased that high quality Gaeltacht products were on the world stage today as these fine companies forge links between the Gaeltacht, Ireland, America and the Gaeltacht Diaspora throughout the United States and around the world.  Today’s events and the quality of products available indicate how Údarás na Gaeltachta assists companies in rural areas.”

Seán Daly of Dingle Crystal mastered his craft with Waterford Crystal where he worked as a master craftsman for 15 years before he and his family moved to Daingean Uí Chúis.  The company’s crystalware is made by hand using traditional methods and they have a demonstration centre as well as a shop on Green St in Daingean Uí Chúis.

The shamrock which was housed in the bowl was grown in Baile an Sceilg by IPI Teoranta.  Shamrock from Baile an Sceilg has been presented to the President of the United States on this day for 25 years.  The White House will have both the bowl and the shamrock on display proudly.