Ogham Treasure
Katie McCay designs and creates meaningful jewellery inspired by Ireland's ancient past,in particular Ogham script , the first written form of Gaelic. Katie's interest in Ancient Irish metalworking began when she studied Celtic Archaeology at the National University of Ireland Galway.
After Graduating she worked in this area for a few years before returning to her hometown of Athlone and opened her own Craft gallery /shop over twenty five years ago. Ogham Treasure was born in 2012 when she combined her creative passion with her experience and knowledge including several jewellery making courses. Katie has one Son who is a photographer, she lives in Athlone with her husband, cat and dog.
Each Piece of Ogham Treasure is Crafted with Care in the Secret Script of Ancient Ireland and comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. Inspired by Ogham writing, the first written form of Gaelic. This unique writing is found carved on stone in many parts of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Ogham writing first appeared around 400 AD as a secret means of communication in early Christian Ireland.
It is a linear script consisting of 20 characters. Each one is a series of one to five lines through a central line which is usually the edge of a stone. It reads upwards or from left to right. It was mostly used for short inscriptions such as names.Ogham is also know as the Gaelic tree Alphabet, some of alphabet's twenty letters are named after trees. Katie mainly uses sterling silver wire to create words that have special meaning in this secret and ancient Celtic writing. Each Piece is designed,created using traditional and modern jewellery making techniques and lovingly hand finished in Athlone ,Co Westmeath in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.