About Us
Desmond Harris D.Ua. Born in Andersonstown, Belfast, 1960, into a family of 8 children. He went to St Teresa’s primary school 1965-71, then to the Glen Road CBS Secondary School 1971- 74 and witnessed many of the historic events that took place in his housing estate and City. His father, Christopher Harris, was a Master Tailor and a shop steward. He was respected by all who knew him and he fought hard for the workers he represented, and loved his wife and family deeply. His mother, Kathleen, at the age of around sixteen started a women’s Trade Union at the Swiss Embroidery, with the help of Malachi Grey, the great Irish trade unionist. Her fiery spirit took the other girls from the factory floor out on to the streets in a strike that brought about better wages and shorter hours!!
The Troubles have played a major role in the life of Desmond’s family. With the early death of his father from cancer and the impact of the Troubles, it became clear that migration was the only option for the family. So a plan was hatched to bring the youngest of the children to Australia. Through the hard work and wages of the older siblings, the four youngest and Kate, arrived in sunny Sydney and a new life started. The move to the far north of the State of NSW, brought them to the doors of the good people of Mullumbimby, the old convent school of St Johns and the beaches of Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay. This became a home, a life and a community they still share and love, to this day.
A strange mixture of Tin whistle playing, Planxty, the Chieftains, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and surfing before school became the norm, instead of dodging run away armoured cars and rubber bullets on the Glen Road. A love and knowledge of the Rainforest and Coastal ecology began. Hunting for mud crabs among the mangroves behind the beach house, and bush walking through the Great Subtropical Rainforests of the Border Ranges and the Night Cap Range gave Des a new edge. But the draw of his Celtic Heritage was far stronger than the lure of board wax and the “wait awhile” vine that can characterize the Sunny Far North coast.
During the Higher School Certificate (1978) exams, he drew for the art project, Celtic borders, and figures from the Tain saga. This, the Ulster Cycle and Cu Chulainn epitomized the history of the North. And when the two Bulls in their new incarnations are finally put to rest, then and only then perhaps, will the peace so long sought begin. For these two mischievous spirits have long plagued the Irish, as the Legend tells us, bringing trouble and strife, then ending in a great battle. Perhaps this time we might wake up to them, and slap them on the BBQ once and for all!!
Desmond’s other passions are for Astronomy (he observes the universe through a 12 inch Sky Watcher Black Diamond telescope, with Tele Vue eye pieces ) and he plays electric bass with his mates from Mullumbimby High School every Saturday, gardens his vegies and mows his lawns. He loves his darling Miriam and precious girls, Ruby and Imogen, who are the true inspiration behind all of his hard work and creativity.
Mastering the Art of Wax carving and the flexi shaft hand set, are skills Desmond has taught himself, through the simple desire to succeed in getting the best effect. Through the close study of stone and metal work of the late Bronze Age Ireland, and Pre-Roman Britain he is able to get a depth of realism into his Celtic Jewellery with a special feel that our customers and patrons tell us, makes it stand apart from mass produced Celtic Jewellery.
The fantastic range of work available from the 6-9 Centuries is there for all to see. The Ancient hands that have so masterfully produced works from door handles carved as lions to imaginative abstract Bulls heads ,took the time to do it right. They weren’t looking for the BIG BUCK, they had a soul, a Celtic Soul. Even the worst of it looks good.
Their works stand there as a guide and a challenge to all who wish to follow them, and let us not forget that they lived and breathed like you and I. And through the example of their high standard of work, try to walk beside them.
Desmond Harris D.Ua. Born in Andersonstown, Belfast, 1960, into a family of 8 children. He went to St Teresa’s primary school 1965-71, then to the Glen Road CBS Secondary School 1971- 74 and witnessed many of the historic events that took place in his housing estate and City. His father, Christopher Harris, was a Master Tailor and a shop steward. He was respected by all who knew him and he fought hard for the workers he represented, and loved his wife and family deeply. His mother, Kathleen, at the age of around sixteen started a women’s Trade Union at the Swiss Embroidery, with the help of Malachi Grey, the great Irish trade unionist. Her fiery spirit took the other girls from the factory floor out on to the streets in a strike that brought about better wages and shorter hours!!
The Troubles have played a major role in the life of Desmond’s family. With the early death of his father from cancer and the impact of the Troubles, it became clear that migration was the only option for the family. So a plan was hatched to bring the youngest of the children to Australia. Through the hard work and wages of the older siblings, the four youngest and Kate, arrived in sunny Sydney and a new life started. The move to the far north of the State of NSW, brought them to the doors of the good people of Mullumbimby, the old convent school of St Johns and the beaches of Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay. This became a home, a life and a community they still share and love, to this day.
A strange mixture of Tin whistle playing, Planxty, the Chieftains, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and surfing before school became the norm, instead of dodging run away armoured cars and rubber bullets on the Glen Road. A love and knowledge of the Rainforest and Coastal ecology began. Hunting for mud crabs among the mangroves behind the beach house, and bush walking through the Great Subtropical Rainforests of the Border Ranges and the Night Cap Range gave Des a new edge. But the draw of his Celtic Heritage was far stronger than the lure of board wax and the “wait awhile” vine that can characterize the Sunny Far North coast.
During the Higher School Certificate (1978) exams, he drew for the art project, Celtic borders, and figures from the Tain saga. This, the Ulster Cycle and Cu Chulainn epitomized the history of the North. And when the two Bulls in their new incarnations are finally put to rest, then and only then perhaps, will the peace so long sought begin. For these two mischievous spirits have long plagued the Irish, as the Legend tells us, bringing trouble and strife, then ending in a great battle. Perhaps this time we might wake up to them, and slap them on the BBQ once and for all!!
Desmond’s other passions are for Astronomy (he observes the universe through a 12 inch Sky Watcher Black Diamond telescope, with Tele Vue eye pieces ) and he plays electric bass with his mates from Mullumbimby High School every Saturday, gardens his vegies and mows his lawns. He loves his darling Miriam and precious girls, Ruby and Imogen, who are the true inspiration behind all of his hard work and creativity.
Mastering the Art of Wax carving and the flexi shaft hand set, are skills Desmond has taught himself, through the simple desire to succeed in getting the best effect. Through the close study of stone and metal work of the late Bronze Age Ireland, and Pre-Roman Britain he is able to get a depth of realism into his Celtic Jewellery with a special feel that our customers and patrons tell us, makes it stand apart from mass produced Celtic Jewellery.
The fantastic range of work available from the 6-9 Centuries is there for all to see. The Ancient hands that have so masterfully produced works from door handles carved as lions to imaginative abstract Bulls heads ,took the time to do it right. They weren’t looking for the BIG BUCK, they had a soul, a Celtic Soul. Even the worst of it looks good.
Their works stand there as a guide and a challenge to all who wish to follow them, and let us not forget that they lived and breathed like you and I. And through the example of their high standard of work, try to walk beside them.