A little more detail…

Good luck Irish wolfhound sixpence

Each one of these lovely Irish Wolfhound sixpence pieces is totally hand cut and recycled, green in more ways than one! Again these cute little coins make perfect little lucky charms, pendants and key ring charms.

The Irish wolfhound embodies the convergence of noble strength, gentle companionship, and the profound, often bittersweet, nature of loyalty. Woven into the fabric of Irish myth and history, this breed represents a deep-seated connection to the ancient past and the wild, untamed spirit of the land.

In ancient Celtic society, the wolfhound was the companion of kings and warriors, a status symbol that represented might and prestige. The hounds, known in Irish as cú faoil (hound-wolf), were legendary for their battlefield prowess, used to pull warriors from chariots and hunt large, fierce animals. A warrior who was granted the devotion of a hound was given the honorific prefix “Cú” (hound) in their name. The legendary hero Cú Chulainn, the “Hound of Culann,” is the most famous example, earning his name after slaying a fierce guard dog and vowing to take its place.

Despite their size and formidable history, wolfhounds have long been described as gentle and affectionate companions. This profound duality touches our hearts. The wolfhound’s immense size and noble demeanor are balanced by a gentle, calm disposition. This represents a fierce outward presence guarding a sensitive and loyal heart, or the harmonious blend of strength and compassion.

The most famous “faithful hound” story is that of Gelert, a Welsh prince’s wolfhound, though the tale is known across Celtic lands. The prince returns home to find his baby missing and the hound’s mouth bloody. Believing the dog killed his son, he kills the hound, only to find the baby safe and a dead wolf nearby. The story of Gelert’s noble sacrifice and his master’s remorse speaks to the poignancy of misplaced judgment and unconditional loyalty.

The Irish wolfhound stands as a living symbol of Ireland’s legacy, representing not only the rugged past but also the noble, resilient, and gentle spirit of the Irish people. The six-pence coin was a pre-decimal coin worth 1/40 th of an Irish pound. The Irish name (reul) is derived from the Spanish real.

Origins of the Sixpence as a Lucky Charm:

Wedding Tradition:It’s common for a sixpence to be placed in a bride’s shoe to wish her good fortune.

Christmas Pudding Tradition:Another tradition involves placing a sixpence in the Christmas pudding before it’s cooked. The person who finds the sixpence in their portion on Christmas Day is said to have good luck for the coming year. This tradition is believed to have started during Victorian times, specifically on the Sunday before Advent, known as “Stir Up Sunday.

Fairies and the Sixpence:Some folklore suggests that fairies would reward a tidy maid or housewife by leaving a sixpence in her shoe.

The sixpence’s journey from a circulating coin to a symbol of good luck is a testament to its enduring presence in culture and tradition.

The Irish Wolfhound design carefully hand cut and carved using traditional hand saws, chisels and files. This traditional process allows me to have a close connection to each piece, ensuring the end result is personal and unique.

Handmade and recycled in Cambridge, England.

Good luck and best wishes. Handcrafted and recycled in Cambridge, UK.

Size : Approx 21 mm diameter