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Connemara Candles was established by Walter
and Heather de Lacy in 1988 in Billamore, Oughterard,
Co. Galway. Walter is by
profession a geologist, who came to the west of Ireland from Dublin
in 1974 as a prospector for a mining company. Originally the
assignment was for eight weeks, but this stretched into two years,
during which time the cottage in Billamore was acquired. Walter
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| The chandler's workshop and showroom |
has
been making candles as a hobby for over 30 years and decided to
devote himself to it full time in 1987. Soon after, Connemara
Candles was founded.
A sign just outside the town of
Oughterard on the Galway side invites one to travel along a narrow
country road towards the distant mountains. The lane winds and
meanders for about 200m and leads to the chandler's cottage, a true
haven of craftsmanship.
The candle factory is situated in what was
once a barn, but is now a quaint little shop surrounded by
flowers.
Inside there are two rooms. On the
right is the workshop, containing racks of candle moulds, vats
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| Customers browsing in the showroom |
and a stove.
In the other room the finished products are displayed: multi-coloured arrays of candles
in all shapes and sizes. The candles range from cones to stars to
pyramids and pillars. These in turn can be beautifully hand painted
or delicately
scented. Many years of experience is applied to
making our candles, which are hand made and hand
painted. They will not drip or create sooty smoke unless in a
draught.
One of the main markets for
Connemara Candles is the supply of dinner candles for hotels and
restaurants. They can be coloured to match the décor of their
destination as with all our candles.
To find Connemara Candles: if you're heading
west, look for the Connemara Candles sign, just before you enter
Oughterard, the "Gateway to Connemara". |
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