A new range of 54 piece puzzles by Rachel Arbuckle will be available in June.

Dublin born artist Rachel Arbuckle has always been fascinated by our Celtic heritage. Inspiration found in the intricate knotwork adorning the ancient manuscripts, stone and metalwork, coupled with Rachel's love of a good story, have combined to produce some of the most popular images in contemporary Irish Celtic art. Mythological warriors rub shoulders with ancient historical figures and intertwine with animals, birds and fish rendered in the artist's unique style. Her colours, although modern, emulate the softness of the natural pigments used by the Celts and a discerning eye will recognise shades of both Tuscany, where Rachel currently lives, and the Beara Peninsula, where she thrives on the rugged West Coast of Ireland.

Rachel graduated from Dublin's National College of Art and Design in 1990. In 1991 her first designs were launched onto the Irish market. Today her work is available worldwide, bringing a taste of Ireland to the four corners of the earth.

54 piece. Finished size: 20 x 13cm.

CÚCHULAINN

His name was Setanta, but at the age of eight he slew Culann's wolfhound in self-defence; the hound had attacked him as he played. Setanta hit the sliothar (ball) into the hound’s throat with a hurley and killed it. The hound had been so savage that it had taken three men on the end of three chains to hold it. To make amends with Culann, Setanta replaced the guard dog with his own services, and from then on he was called Cúchulainn, the hound of Culann. He became perhaps the most famous hero of Irish mythology, the acknowledged champion warrior of all Ireland in the Táin Bó Cuailgne when he defeated the strongest armies in Ireland single-handedly.

 

FIONN MAC CUMHAILL

When Fionn was seven years old he met an old seer named Finneigeas on the banks of the River Boyne. Finneigeas had spent the past seven years trying to catch the Salmon of Knowledge; the first taste of which would impart the knowledge of the world to the taster. Finneigeas then caught the salmon and Fionn was entrusted to cook it on the fire, but was warned not to eat any. However, as he was turning the fish, he burnt his thumb and put it in his mouth to ease the pain. So Fionn obtained the wisdom which had been sought by so many druids. When he grew up he became the leader and most famous warrior of the Fianna, and one of Ireland's greatest legendary heroes.

 

FIONNUALA

Fionnuala and her three brothers, the beloved children of Lir, the Ocean God, were transformed into swans by their jealous stepmother, Aoife. They were doomed to spend 300 years on the Lake of the Oaks (Lake Derravaragh), 300 years on the Straits of Moyle and 300 years on the Atlantic Ocean. They retained their powers of speech and their beautiful singing voices, and in the beginning their father spent much time by Lake Derravaragh with them. By the time the spell was over, St. Patrick had come to Ireland, and the four children, by now on the point of death, were baptised at once and put into one grave at Fionnuala's request.

 

OISÍN

Oisín, the famous warrior, poet and half god, was the son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Sava, a Fairy maiden who had been transformed into a deer. Oisín’s name means “Little Fawn”. When he was a young man, the beautiful golden haired Niamh came riding to him on a white steed from Tir na nOg, the Land of Eternal Youth. Oisín was entranced and went there with her. After 300 years, which seemed but 3, he returned to Ireland. Dismounting from the white horse to help an old man, the spell was broken and he died of old age. Here we see Oisín in the fullness of his youth on the white steed whose interlaced legs suggest the Celtic symbol of eternity.

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© M. W. Heasman 1993-2004. All Rights reserved. Patented, Designs Registered & Trade Marks.