In a world bustling with impersonal marketplaces, ‘Irish Hands’ stands as a beacon of warmth and personal connection. We don’t simply showcase and sell products like other e-commerce platforms, we’re a treasure trove of history and heritage, unveiling the amazing stories of our local makers and their wonderful creations.
With personal profiles and engaging videos on Irish Hands (and accompanying social media platforms Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube), we peel back the layers, revealing the meticulous craft and the soul poured into every creation.
For us, items for sale on Irish Hands aren’t just products – they’re a tale that echoes through millennia of local creative making – a fusion of ancient traditions and contemporary finesse.
Each piece showcased on our platform resonates with techniques honed by generations of skilled artisans and makers, and the locally sourced materials used in their creation – whispering secrets from Ireland’s North West – the birthplace and cradle of Irish arts, crafts and creative making.
We want customers to join us not only as buyers but as fellow storytellers, as custodians of our ancient traditions, and champions of contemporary creativity.
We aim to celebrate our unique history and heritage of arts, crafts and creative making, not just for what it is, but for the remarkable hands and hearts that bring it to life!
The Irish Hands team
Hi, I’m Shane Kirby, the proud founder of Irish Hands. Our journey begins as a small family-run business, rooted in the heart of the breathtaking Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal. Alongside my ‘other half’ Eileen, and our two talented teenage daughters, we’re honoured to bring you the remarkable creations of our local artisans and makers.
With over two decades of experience in PR, I’ve had the privilege of promoting various clients, including artists, artisans, designers and creative makers. My passion for showcasing talent extends back to my early career, where I worked with esteemed organisations like the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scottish Tourist Board.
Eileen, my life partner, brings her expertise in Business, Marketing and Digital Transformation, adding depth and innovation to our endeavours. Together, we’re committed to nurturing the creative spirit of our community and sharing its brilliance with the world.
In addition to our professional endeavours, our two teenage daughters, with their amazing branding and social media skills, infuse our team with youthful energy and digital savvy (one boasting over 30k followers on TikTok and multiple viral videos under her belt), and their expertise helps to bring a fresh perspective to our mission.
At Irish Hands, we’re more than just a platform; we’re a family dedicated to celebrating creativity, fostering connections, and championing the incredible talent of our local artists, artisans, designers and makers. Join us on this inspiring journey where artistry meets passion, and creativity knows no bounds. Welcome to Irish Hands, where every unique creation showcased on our new platform has a truly wonderful story to tell.
Why are we called Irish Hands?
Imagine stepping back in time to the early 1900s, in an era where the world was being engulfed by the deafening roar of machines and the impersonal touch of mass production.
In this cacophony, amidst the thunderous march of the Industrial Revolution, there stood a vision and fervent desire nurtured by two sisters of the world renowned poet and playwright William Butler Yeats.
Lily and Elizabeth Yeats were pioneers of the Arts & Crafts Revival in Ireland, and yearned for something more profound, something rooted in the gentle caress of tradition, something that celebrated the intricate dance of human hands.
In establishing their Dun Emer Guild in 1902, a revolution of a very different kind was taking place in Ireland. Here, artists, weavers, and craftsmen gathered, not just to create, but to breathe life back into the country’s fading heritage, folklore and artistic traditions after centuries of colonial suppression.
The desire of both Lily and Elizabeth Yeats was simple, yet profound – quoted as the Dun Emer Guild began to flourish as “inspired by a wish to see Irish Hands in the making of beautiful things!”
With each tapestry, embroidery, and print, a piece of their vision came to life – a defiance against the encroaching shadow of mass production.
Fast forward to today, in a world that is now pulsating even faster with the beat of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, ‘Irish Hands’ emerges once again. We carry this legacy forward, not as a relic of the past, but as a guiding light toward the future.
In a world now dominated by new and ever-changing technologies, we embrace these in order to capture the essence of our skilled makers and their handmade marvels through a modern lens (i.e. videos & social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube).
Indeed, just like Lily and Elizabeth’s vision over 120 years ago, we too aim to celebrate the enduring beauty found in the skilled hands and creative minds of local artisans and makers – and hopefully continue to inspire the world, one handmade creation at a time!
