The History of The Irish...Worldwide
What's an 'Ubh'?
Sometimes, my husband has these crazy ideas:
"Let’s move to Ireland!”
“Okaaaaay ...”
“It would be cool to get some chickens!”
“Really?”
“I bet you could decorate these egg shells somehow.”
“Umm ... I think I could!”
Sometimes, my husband has really good crazy ideas, and that last one was the dawn of my egg art adventure! We now have five lovely hens free-ranging around our Connemara home. Everyday they lay eggs that provide us with a nutritious breakfast as well as the basis for my hand-made ornaments.
I simply drill a small hole in the egg to drain out the contents, which can then be scrambled, fried, omeletted, souffleed or baked into a cake. Once the egg shell is washed and dried, I paint or add clay to it to create an ornament. I love to try out different designs, but my favourites are inspired by my adopted home here in Galway.
I have named my little venture Ubh Egg Art -- using the Irish language, which is still the primary tongue spoken in this part of the country. I love it when someone outside Ireland asks about the name, as I have a chance teach them one "focal na Gaeilge."
“Ubh” is the Irish word for “egg,” and believe it or not, it’s pronounced something like: “uv,” (rhymes with “love”.) Just be glad I didn’t use the plural form: uibheacha!
You can see my Irish egg designs on my Etsy site and you can have a look at my ad here on The Wild Geese Green Pages. The ornaments make unique Christmas gifts. I do accept custom orders, as well, if you're looking for something specific. The Irish-themed designs are virtually limitless!
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Comment by Rónán Gearóid Ó Domhnaill on October 5, 2013 at 2:53pm
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you don't sell them at the market in Galway?
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Comment by Kelly O'Rourke on October 5, 2013 at 3:15pm
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Ronan, I can't get my own stall there because of my visa restrictions, but I have had a friend sell a few for me at his stall.
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How officious is the council in Galway? The market used to be a lot more casual. I am at the market from time to time and would look like to check them out.Whose stall are you talking about?
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I know they do check for licenses. My friend's name is Peter. His stall is the one that sells the lovely framed art prints. He makes the frames, which are works of art themselves! I don't think he has any of my stuff right now, though. If you'd like to see my work, I'm happy to meet up with you sometime. :)
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Comment by Jim Goulding on October 6, 2013 at 6:14pm
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Kelly, So you are an American girl transplanted to Ireland! Your experience reminds me of Niall Williams and Christine Breen who relocated to West Clare from New York and have written several delightful books on their experience. I too am an Irish-American transplant to my wife's country of Colombia and I do my best to adapt to this culture. One of our Colombian nieces went to London to learn English last year and when she visited my cousins in Clare she came back saying that the Irish are just like Colombians except they speak perfect English! Also, I will tell folks here of your technique with eggs. Creativity knows no bounds.
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Thanks so much, Jim! I'll have to check out those books you mentioned. Sounds like you have an interesting story yourself!
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though from Galway Kelly I am very rarely there.
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Comment by Rose Maurer on October 9, 2013 at 7:50am
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What superb and innovative art with uibheacha, Kelly - my favourite of those shown, just has to be the Galway swan! You are fortunate that your husband is such a good egg! (Excuse the weak pun, please).
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Comment by Jim Curley on October 9, 2013 at 8:07am
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Niall Williams wrote one of my favorite novels, "As It Is In Heaven." Concerns a man moving towards middle age with the weight of the world on his shoulders. His life is changed when an Italian violinist comes to his small town in County Clare for a concert and lifts him out of his abyss. It is unabashedly romantic, yet very well written.
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