The Story of 1916: Inspiring Mise Éire

September 30, 2020

An Éireann Pendant with 14ct gold symbols to represent jewellery inspired by 1916 handmade by Irish jewellery Designer Elena Brennan.

Now known as the Mise Éire ("I am of Ireland") Collection, the idea for this collection originally came about back in 2016, on the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

(Éireann Pendant)

Hearing all the stories of 1916, I was inspired to create a new collection inspired by the 1916 Rising (Rebellion) in Ireland, when a few fiercely patriotic,

idealistic warriors attempted to overthrow the chains of 800 years of English rule.

Gorgeous pendants inspired by 1916 handmade by Irish Jewellery Designer Elena Brennan

(Grá na hÉireann / Love of Ireland Pendant & Éireann go Brách / Ireland Forever Pendant)

The Easter Rising of 1916 was a

failure in military terms, but it inspired Irish people to come together, rise up and face the might of an Empire and ultimately succeed in their goal to become a Nation once again.

I decided to go with symbols

to remember these brave men and women who gave their lives for the freedom of Ireland.

Trinity statement irish ring handmade by Elena Brennan Jewellery in Irelsnd.

(Trinity Ring + 14ct gold stamens)

Shamrock - Ireland, the right to our own Nation.

Lily - The symbol of peace and the end of fighting on Irish soil.

Heart - The love that burned in their hearts for Ireland.

These three elements come together at the base of the pendant to form the Newgrange Tri-Spiral, one of the oldest symbols of Ireland.

It's meaning is myriad, here it represents life, death and rebirth, as

Ireland was reborn as a nation once again in 1916.

100 years a Nation!!

A selection of handmade irish rings designed in Ireland by Irish Jewellery Designer Elena Brennan.

(Peace Lily Ring, Rebirth of a Nation Ring & the Fire of Freedom Ring.

All available in sterling silver or with 14ct gold elements.)

Dancing at the Cross Roads a piece of jewellery inspired by the 1916 Rising by Irish Jewellery Designer Elena Brennan.

(Dancing at the Cross Roads Pendant available in sterling silver & gold.

As time went by, the Mise Éire 1916 collection became known simply as

Mise Éire (Mish-a Air-a) - 'I am of Ireland '

Ireland, Éire, Éireann, Hibernia, Emerald Isle, Land of Saints and Scholars, the many names of this ancient land. She has been the inspiration for great achievements, by a people fiercely proud to be her children.