Kilkenny Handwrought Silver
Kilkenny Handwrought Silver
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
26 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
0
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Michael K
Alamo, CA13 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
What a great experience... We were looking for special keepsakes from our trip to Ireland and found them (and the memories) at Desmond's shop. What a wonderful person. We decided to have two Ogham script pendants made, one for my wife and another for our daughter. Desmond was able to complete one in two days and mailed the other one back to us in California a week later. Will always remember that little shop, that charming man and cherish his craftsmanship in those pendants with my wife and daughter's names on them...
Written September 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spisak
Novi, MI256 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
I wanted to purchase a special piece of jewelry for our first trip to Ireland. I had seen reviews for Desmond Byrne and his silver shop in Kilkenny and knew I had to meet him. The Kilkenny Handwrought Silver shop is located across the street from the castle in the Kilkenny Design Center. My husband and I were delighted to meet Desmond. He was such a wonderful, kind man and talented artist. He taught us all about silver and explained how he creates his beautiful silver pieces. He would have created a custom ring for me but as we only had one day I chose a ring he had made a few months ago. It had a Book of Kells pattern. It is beautiful! I would highly recommend visiting Desmond on your next trip to Kilkenny!
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynn h
Saint Louis, MO66 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Please, please go see Desmond if you are looking for a unique piece of silver jewelry. So much more rewarding to buy from a true artisan who loves his craft and enjoys sharing the details of his works with you. You will not de disappointed and you will feel good about supporting a local artisan rather than a company that mass produces pieces.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ligita N
Mountmellick, Ireland4 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Desmond is a fantastic person and a silversmith. He made my and my husband a beautiful and unique wedding rings we all designed together. He took his precious time to do it. When we go to kilkenny we always make some time to go and visit him. Thank you so Desmond and we are looking forward to come back and get my eternity ring designed for my 5year anniversary. Thank you from all of my heart xx
Written January 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bradbeauvais
New Braunfels, TX11 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We recently visited Ireland and I just happened to find Desmond's shop tucked in the back corner of Castle Yard. I found something I liked (men's Celtic ring) but he didn't have the correct size on hand. I left my contact information and (no kidding) the ring arrived a couple of days after we got back to the United States. I hadn't paid a cent. Of course I've since rendered payment...but this is the way I wish business was conducted. Desmond is a first class, old world craftsman. Don't miss him on your visit to Kilkenny.
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggieroni
New York City, NY12 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
We were visiting from California and looking for rings. We saw the same things in all of the shops in Dublin and they all screamed tourist! On a day trip to Kilkenny we discovered Des's charming shop located in the castle's renovated stables and were instantly charmed by Des and his amazing hand-crafted original designs. He is a true artist and a kind and thoughtful person who helped us choose the perfect rings. They depict the Book of Kells in an intricate design. He hand signed a vard of authenticity and insisted on giving us the lovely box and packaging even though we wore the rings out of the shop. Skip the castle (it's been renovated big time) and visit Des and the other wonderful crafts people in the Kilkenny design center.
Written October 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sluczak
Rockton96 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Des helped my wife and I pick out a ring that he personally designed. He was very helpful and just the kind of place we wanted to buy from while in Ireland. The whole design center next to the Kilkenny Castle made for a lovely day. We would highly recommend a visit to see Des. Not many places like this exist today.
Written August 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SusanMarie3
Indianapolis, IN39 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Based on other reviews and sought out the shop. The silversmith, Des, was a delight. He has an array of items, both traditional and contemporary. He said that current preference is for traditional items. But we preferred the unusual contemporary items from the Kilkenny Design School. We were on the verge of purchasing a ring and he told us to explore the other stores to make sure that it was the one we wanted. We did a little alternate shopping but quickly came back an purchased it. He is a skilled craftsman and worth seeking out.
Written November 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony S
Derry, UK45 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
a master of his craft and one of the worlds true gentlemen. Every time we visit Kilkenny, we make a point of calling in to Des. over the years we have bought a few unique handmade items, and every time we receive quality craftsmanship and excellent prices. if you want something that is truly a one off, call next time you are in town.
Written September 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
esamlen
Port Saint Lucie, FL285 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
My daughter really wanted a necklace accompanied by a Celtic pendant but everywhere we looked there was the same mass produced pendants and necklaces. I looked on TA and found this wonderful hidden gem.
The owner and master silver smith (gold smith as well) Desmond A Byrne was just so informative and helpful. We explained what we were looking for and he had a piece that was originally an earring but he only had one of them. It was too light for a pendant so he reworked to so it was more than twice the weight. My daughter loved it, it was exactly what she wanted. And the added bonus is that she got to meet the silver smith who made it, we also took pictures with him and now the piece has more meaning to her. What more can you ask for!
His prices are very reasonable as well. A lot of what is sold elsewhere is not silver but his is silver or gold. As others have said you can tell that he loves what he is doing and he is not a pushy salesman, which is quite refreshing.
The owner and master silver smith (gold smith as well) Desmond A Byrne was just so informative and helpful. We explained what we were looking for and he had a piece that was originally an earring but he only had one of them. It was too light for a pendant so he reworked to so it was more than twice the weight. My daughter loved it, it was exactly what she wanted. And the added bonus is that she got to meet the silver smith who made it, we also took pictures with him and now the piece has more meaning to her. What more can you ask for!
His prices are very reasonable as well. A lot of what is sold elsewhere is not silver but his is silver or gold. As others have said you can tell that he loves what he is doing and he is not a pushy salesman, which is quite refreshing.
Written August 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda S
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Last November I called the shop and actually spoke with Desmond Byrne himself. I explained to him that nearly 10 years ago we were in Kilkenny and my young son bought a very small hand wrought silver Celtic cross from his shop. Years ago the chain it was on broke and he lost the cross. Last year I surprised him with a much larger one in silver, about 2.5 cm or 3cm long (about an once and a half and he recommended a perfect weight silver chain--my son is 25. Maybe the chain was about 20"--he knew just the right combination for a young man.
Sadly, my son's cross and chain were stolen and, because it was very special to him, I'd like to order a new one. Sam's Irish heritage is very important to him.
Not sure if Desmond's shop has a fax number, or an email address, but I would appreciate your help in reaching him so I can order this again.
My name is Brenda Stanfield
64 Inman St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-230-2125
Written November 16, 2015
This is a roundabout way, but I met a very nice woman named Valerie Walshe, who owns the Blackbird Gallery, which is in the same quadrant of shops. If you look at her website I'm certain she will have an email address on there, and you could email her and ask her to get his email for you. That's the best I can do, I didn't write anything in my journal about the silver shop.
Written November 16, 2015
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