The Modern History of Celtic Jewellery: 1840-1980
Aidan J. Breen. Is a Dublin native trained in his craft by a traditional seven year apprenticeship. “As a young lad, I was always fascinated with the ancient and medieval treasures on display at the National Museum in Kildare Street. This was a place I frequently visited on weekends and still often go for inspiration.” Since 1979 he has run his own business, Aidan Breen Gold and Silversmith in Swords, County Dublin. Dr. E. Mairi MacArthur is from an Iona family and has written extensively about the local history of the island and its people. Her book Iona Celtic Art. The Work of Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie,  published by The New Iona Press, is a very thorough history of Iona jewellery. She is a graduate of St Andrews University and later undertook her doctoral research into Iona at the School of Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh. Dr. Tara Kelly is an independent art historian and curator.  Her dissertation at Trinity College, Dublin focused on copies of Irish archaeological jewellery and metalwork made in Dublin between 1840 and 1940.  Her research into the production methods, marketing strategies and distribution of copies of Irish antiquities represents a significant advancement in our knowledge of this industry.    Stephen Walker is a goldsmith specializing in Celtic design. He is a graduate of Syracuse University earning his Masters of Fine Arts at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. With his wife Susan they run Walker Metalsmiths, established 1984 in Andover, New York and a second showroom in Fairport , New York