Page 44 - Indulge December/January 2016
P. 44
Holiday songs tout the virtues of a
white Christmas, but why limit
yourself? Make it tartan, plaid or
green with a gift that adds a more
personal —and original — touch than the
usual assortment of socks, ties, perfumes
and gloves.
Given the region’s Celtic heritage —
the oldest Lehigh Valley settlement was
Scots-Irish and dates to the 1700s —
you’re bound to know someone who has
green in their blood. A gift that serves
as a connection to that Irish, Scottish,
Welsh, English or Galician lineage is
bound to be cherished.
That connection, says Donegal Square
owner Neville Gardner, is what people
are seeking when they come into his
Bethlehem shop. Despite the popularity of
online shopping, Gardner says people still
want to see things for themselves; to make
contact with an item that stirs an emotional
Celticreaction.“There’sastrongcontingentof
people who want to pick things up and CHRISTMAS
touch them,” he says.
They might want to feel the heft of
a hand-knitted, Irish wool sweater, for
instance, or run their fingers along the
ridges of a hand-carved, mahogany knot
made by a Breton craftsman.
“We provide that connection with
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales,” By Patrick O’Donnell
Gardner says. It’s one of the reasons he
opened his store more than 30 years ago,
and became a founder of the Celtic Cultural These days, Gardner says, visitors the Celtic countries. Gardner
Alliance 28 years ago. often tell him the shop has a wider says tours arranged through
In 1985, Gardner, a civil engineer, selection of items from Celtic destinations Donegal Square are relaxed,
faced a challenge. His father had taken than they “can find over there.” focus on a theme, and “find the
ill back in Ireland, and Gardner needed Those items include kilts; tartans; coats hidden gems.”
a job that would allow him to travel there of arms; woolen clothing; tweed caps; “Our tours are somewhat
44 | INDULGE • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016 frequently. Opening a shop specializing in some traditional instruments such as the impromptu,” he says. “We
Celtic imports was a natural choice, because bodhrán and tin whistle; Belleek pottery; incorporate history, music — and
he says every time he’d traveled home in the home décor; jewelry including sterling we interpret the story.”
past, friends and neighbors asked him to silver, gold and platinum, along with iconic For those seeking a literal taste
pick up specific items for them. items such as Celtic knotwork and symbols, of the Old Country, he recommends
and engagement and wedding rings. items like Irish bacon and sausages;
Tartans and coats of arms, he says, Branston Pickle; and HP Brown
make exceptionally special gifts because Sauce; or even a gift certificate to
they provide a tie to one’s ancestors. the adjoining Red Stag Pub, which
Sometimes, the greatest gift isn’t an has a menu inspired by traditional
object, but an experience — like a trip to Irish and Scottish dishes.
Images courtesy of Donegal Square
white Christmas, but why limit
yourself? Make it tartan, plaid or
green with a gift that adds a more
personal —and original — touch than the
usual assortment of socks, ties, perfumes
and gloves.
Given the region’s Celtic heritage —
the oldest Lehigh Valley settlement was
Scots-Irish and dates to the 1700s —
you’re bound to know someone who has
green in their blood. A gift that serves
as a connection to that Irish, Scottish,
Welsh, English or Galician lineage is
bound to be cherished.
That connection, says Donegal Square
owner Neville Gardner, is what people
are seeking when they come into his
Bethlehem shop. Despite the popularity of
online shopping, Gardner says people still
want to see things for themselves; to make
contact with an item that stirs an emotional
Celticreaction.“There’sastrongcontingentof
people who want to pick things up and CHRISTMAS
touch them,” he says.
They might want to feel the heft of
a hand-knitted, Irish wool sweater, for
instance, or run their fingers along the
ridges of a hand-carved, mahogany knot
made by a Breton craftsman.
“We provide that connection with
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales,” By Patrick O’Donnell
Gardner says. It’s one of the reasons he
opened his store more than 30 years ago,
and became a founder of the Celtic Cultural These days, Gardner says, visitors the Celtic countries. Gardner
Alliance 28 years ago. often tell him the shop has a wider says tours arranged through
In 1985, Gardner, a civil engineer, selection of items from Celtic destinations Donegal Square are relaxed,
faced a challenge. His father had taken than they “can find over there.” focus on a theme, and “find the
ill back in Ireland, and Gardner needed Those items include kilts; tartans; coats hidden gems.”
a job that would allow him to travel there of arms; woolen clothing; tweed caps; “Our tours are somewhat
44 | INDULGE • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016 frequently. Opening a shop specializing in some traditional instruments such as the impromptu,” he says. “We
Celtic imports was a natural choice, because bodhrán and tin whistle; Belleek pottery; incorporate history, music — and
he says every time he’d traveled home in the home décor; jewelry including sterling we interpret the story.”
past, friends and neighbors asked him to silver, gold and platinum, along with iconic For those seeking a literal taste
pick up specific items for them. items such as Celtic knotwork and symbols, of the Old Country, he recommends
and engagement and wedding rings. items like Irish bacon and sausages;
Tartans and coats of arms, he says, Branston Pickle; and HP Brown
make exceptionally special gifts because Sauce; or even a gift certificate to
they provide a tie to one’s ancestors. the adjoining Red Stag Pub, which
Sometimes, the greatest gift isn’t an has a menu inspired by traditional
object, but an experience — like a trip to Irish and Scottish dishes.
Images courtesy of Donegal Square
