What started as a lockdown project has grown into a full-time career for Heather Gilroy, who was working for a fashion brand in London before setting up Prints of Ireland.

The venture was established in 2020 by Gilroy and Peter O’Neill, who runs a digital marketing agency.

As the start-up faces into the busiest period of the year, it has launched a new range of prints inspired by the old Gaelic Script (cló Gaelach) and Irish proverbs (Seanfhocail).

According to Gilroy: “We wanted to breathe new life into Irish traditions and spread our grá for Gaeilge with the rest of Ireland and the world when creating the new range.

“Our aim is to make the Irish language more visible and celebrated in modern Irish homes near and far by creating bright, colourful artwork that can be hung with pride on your gallery wall.”

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Prints of Ireland products are now stocked in over 20 Irish retailers, including Arnotts.

“The use of Gaeilge in our products has definitely been a unique selling point,” said Gilroy.

“There is a renewed interest in the Irish language over the past couple of years and it is clear to see that Irish people are becoming more and more proud of the language and want to see and hear cúpla focail in everyday life once again.”

Prints of Ireland offers prints, tote bags and cards.

“We ship our products across the globe from our online store and can even gift wrap and add a handwritten card to any order. We want to make sending a taste of home as stress-free as possible for you at the busiest time of year,” Gilroy added.

Prints retail at €30 unframed and €50 in a black or white wooden frame. Printed tote bags are priced at €17 and greeting cards cost €15 for a 5-pack. All prices include free shipping to Irish addresses.

“We are really proud to say that our website is now bilingual (dhátheangach) and that we are more than happy to offer all of our services as Gaeilge, whether that be answering a query via email or conversing with customers on the phone.

"The aim of the business is to spread the grá for Gaeilge so of course we want to communicate with customers in Irish as much as we can,” said Gilroy.

Prints of Ireland is part of the DCCI MadeLocal campaign and has secured shelf space at the EPIC Museum gift shop and the shop in the Croke Park GAA Museum.  Gilroy will also be exhibiting at Gifted in the RDS in December.

Photo: Prints of Ireland founders Heather Gilroy and Peter O'Neill