Irish 50th Wedding Anniversary Gift

by Ellen Dowling

Overview

'Tis a rare occurrence indeed when a couple makes it to a 50th anniversary, and so it should be celebrated in a special way. Whether Irish by birth or by heritage, the happy pair will no doubt be delighted by a commemorative gift that reflects the legends and lore of the Emerald Isle.
Gold

Gold is, of course, the traditional 50th anniversary gift, but while it would be lovely to give the couple their own personal pot o'gold (with a leprechaun thrown in for good measure), you don't need to go chasing rainbows to find something precious--and reasonably priced. Many Irish-gift websites offer a gold metallic frame with a picture of the celebrating pair and your choice of verses, including this lovely wish: May God grant you always A sunbeam to warm you A moonbeam to charm you A sheltering angel so nothing can harm you Laughter to cheer you Faithful friends near you And whenever you pray Heaven to hear you. Another option for a Catholic couple is a gold-plated Celtic cross with the inscription "God bless the special love that binds your hearts together. May it be a timeless treasure, a gift of joy forever. Love is patient, love is kind, love never ends."

Ceramics

Anyone with a keen interest in Irish history and culture knows that the most famous of all Irish pottery is Belleek, named after the town in Northern Ireland, where the factory was built in 1858. A perfect gift to celebrate this special occasion would be the Belleek 50th Wedding Anniversary Plate with embossed floral pattern and gold trim and this verse in the center: "May your mornings bring joy, your evenings bring peace, may your troubles grow few, as your blessings increase." An equally appropriate gift would be a Belleek "makeup bell." According to Irish lore, the makeup bell should be rung whenever the couple has a quarrel. The ringing of the bell symbolizes the continuing renewal of their love.
Claddagh

The claddagh ring--two hands holding a crowned heart between them--has been the traditional Irish wedding ring since the 17th century. The claddagh design can also be found on other items that would make wonderful anniversary gifts. One example is the Celtic unity candle, which comes in a variety of designs and inscriptions, including this one by Kalil Gibran: "Marriage is the golden ring in a chain whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is Eternity."

Overview