Language
We take inspiration from Irish and other Celtic languages, folklore, history and the natural world to create our designs. We then
hand-print them in our Co. Waterford studio using water-based inks, onto 100% organic Earthpositive t-shirts.
These EarthPositive t-shirts are organic and ethically made in India, and manufactured solely using sustainable energy generated from wind and solar power, so our they have a minimal environmental footprint. For more information on the t-shirts please click here.
We also hand print our packaging, which is plastic-free and made from post consumer waste.
Our T-shirts - 100% Organic EarthPositive Cotton
To download our t-shirt catalogue please click here
Knowledge of a Raven's Head - Proverb
This raven design includes the Scottish Gaelic saying 'Tha fios fithich agad' and the Irish translation
'Fios cionn fiagh', which means, 'you have the knowledge of a raven's head' or just
'the knowledge of a raven's head'. Mid Photograph by James Spencer.
'The Legend of Dinn Rí'
This design incorporates a section of the Irish legend ‘Orgain Denna Ríg’(The Destruction of Dinn Ríg), which was located in Co. Carlow, just outside of Leighlin Bridge. It is one of the earliest recorded Irish tales, written in old Irish, and is one of many stories compiled in The Book of Leinster.
As the story goes, Labraid Loingseach has been forced to flee westward after his jealous great uncle has murdered his family, but he returns and exacts a gruesome revenge.
'Smugairle Róin'
‘Smugairle Róin’ is Irish for ‘jellyfish’. Rón means ‘seal’, and Smugairle is ‘thick spittle’ -
so directly translated the Irish for jellyfish is ‘sealspittle’!
Ireland has 5 indigenous jellyfish: The Lion’s Mane, Barrel, Blue, Common (or Moon), and Compass Jellyfish.
Sightings of jellyfish are increasing in numbers around the Irish coast, including sightings of The Portuguese Man-of-War which has a severe sting that is potentially lethal.
'Tír gan Teanga, Tír gan anam'
This design has 6 very similar proverbs, one in each of the Celtic languages, meaning:
‘A country with no language is a country without a heart’
Irish: Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam
Welsh: Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon
Scottish Gaelic: Sluagh gun chànan, sluagh gun ainm
Manx: Çheer gyn çhengey, Çheer gyn ennym
Breton: Hep brezhoneg, breizh ebet
Cornish: An lavar koth yw lavar gwir,
Nevra dos mas a daves re hir, Mes den heb taves re gollas y dir.
'Gráinne'
This design is a combination of lyrics from an old Irish song and an Irish proverb. The song ‘Múinfimid do Ghráinne’ is about the desire for a revival of the Irish language, and was written by poet Pádraig Ó Miléadha, born in 1877 in the Déise, Co. Waterford. An important song writer in the area, his songs are still being sung today.
The last line of the design is a proverb about hope and courage, that even the smallest deed can have a great outcome: ‘Is beag an splanc a lasann tine mhór’
'The Black Sheep'
This t-shirt has two very similar Irish and Welsh proverbs:
Irish: 'Bíonn caora dhubh ar an tréad is gile'
(There tends to be a black sheep even in the whitest flock)
and Welsh: 'Y mae dafad ddu ym mhob praidd'
(Every flock has it's black sheep)
Designed for the Pan Celtic Festival in Carlow, an annual festival of Celtic arts, music, and culture.
'The Fiddle Player'
The fiddle is central to traditional music, with different styles found across the country. This design isn’t of a particular player, but is simply a drawing to evoke the energy and magic of the fiddle in full swing at a session.
'The Manx Loaghtan'
This design includes the Manx proverb: ‘Shegin goaill ny eairkyn marish y cheh.’
Translation: We must take the horns with the hide. Meaning: We must take the rough with the smooth.
The Manx Loaghtan is a rare breed of sheep native to the Isle of Man, originating from a prehistoric breed found in isolated parts of North West Europe. It is a hardy creature, and unusual in that both sexes tend to produce two or three pairs of horns! It became endangered in the 1950's when only 43 were left, but now due to a number of enthusiasts there are many thriving flocks.
