Sherkin Island - West Cork

Sherkin Island Arts Page

	Lush Life Jewellery as the name suggests, has a rich and varied texture reflecting the abundant marine life of the islands. Designed and made by Miriam Dunne on Sherkin Island.
Sherkin Island Knitwear is a co-operative of eight women established in 1982. It produces handloomed knitwear in pure Donegal tweed wool. Our designs are both original and classic and come in a variety of rich colours featuring handfired matching buttons, The emblem we use is derived from the ancient Gaelic name for Sherkin - Inis Arcain, meaning Island of Seapigs or Porpoises, Sherkin Island Knitwear is a registered member of the Craft Council of Ireland and supplies the retail and wholesale market at home and abroad.	Buy Sherkin Island Knitwear on-line at emara.com
	Sherkin Island Silver features original Celtic designs in in gold, silver and brass set with gemstones. Designed and made by Miriam Dunne on Sherkin Island. Buy Sherkin Island Silver on-line at emara.com
Veronika O'Driscoll is inspired by the nature around her which is reflected in her work on silk - the shifting colours of sea, sky and landscape seen in different lights as the seasons slowly change. Her colours are mixed from primary shades using her own development techniques. Each piece is an original creation in 100% pure silk with hand rolled edges, colourfast and washable.
	L'Orangerie Design Interior, garden and conservatory objects for living and giving.  Wrought Iron  Candelabra and Candles - Shop Open: May - October. Interior Design Consultancy.  Tel: 028-20275
Handcrafted leather goods by Robin Snelson. 200 year old leather recovered from the wreck of the Metta Catharina von Flensburg sunk in Plymouth Sound in 1786. The leather has been tanned in the traditional Russian way, which gives it its distinctive aroma. Tel: 0872-865039
Buy this CD on-line at emara.com	Anyone who has been to the idyllic, isolated island of Sherkin off the south-west coast of Ireland will have been into the Jolly Roger Pub. There, probably around midnight, just as you are finishing what you think is your last drink, a wistfully attractive islander starts to sing - not the folk music so familiar to late night pub dwellers in Ireland, but the dreamy, witty, clever, bluesy, jazzy sounds of Gershwin, Cole Porter, George Shearing, Jimmy van Heusen and a host of others. And this woman can sing: there's a hint of Ella, a touch of Julie Landon, and even a suspicion of Judy Garland and Peggy Lee, but overall it is the exquisite voice and timing of  Josephine Smyth O'Donnell, a woman who sings, not as a vocal exercise but as someone who feels and expresses every emotion. You know at once that, wherever the song is, she's been there. Of course you might have heard her at the Cork Jazz Festival or in West Cork or even in Dublin, but until now the isolation of island life, and a young family has prevented this unique singer from reaching her true audience. This album will change all that. The album was conceived one night on Sherkin Island (overlooking Horseshoe Bay), with the plan not only to showcase her voice but also to reproduce something of the feel of the live sessions at which she excels, without the distraction of a live audience. Enjoy this album - it's the first of many.
	Scheherazad individually designed, handwoven and embroidered hats, bags, waistcoats, scarves and purses hand dyed in a wide range or yearn and a myriad of colours by Charlotte Leeder on Sherkin Island.
Commissions taken: Sherkin Island Knitwear 028-20598 Robin Snelson Leather 028-20554 Charlotte Leeder Weaving 028-20615 Veronika O' Driscoll Silks 021-509009 Miriam Dunne Jewellery 028-20347 Ingrid Van Maarle Wrought Iron 028-20275 Joking Handknits 028-20393 Aran Handknits 028-20347 Island Craft Shop 028-20347/20556 and 086-8758179	Sherkin island has for many years supported a thriving craft industry and is home to many of the craftworkers listed above. The island boasts a variety of landscapes, an abundance of wildlife and botanical richness which is reflected in many of the textures and colours used by the craftworkers. With its safe sandy beaches and good fishing from the rocky headlands a visit to Sherkin is something special - a unique way of enjoying natures beauty and cutting adrift from all the cares of the world.