Celebrating 80 Years of Craftsmanship: An Interview with Stephen Walsh of Connemara Marble

Some stories aren’t just about business, they’re about family, heritage, and the quiet strength of tradition. Since 1945, Connemara Marble has been crafting beautiful, meaningful pieces from Ireland’s national gemstone, connecting hearts across the world to the soul of the Emerald Isle.

This year marks an incredible milestone: 80 years in business. Still family-run, still proudly Irish, and still as passionate as ever. To celebrate, we sat down with Stephen Walsh our company owner, storyteller, and third-generation guardian of the craft to reflect on the journey, the legacy, and what it truly means to hold a piece of Ireland in your hands.

Denise (Interviewer): Hi Stephen! Tell me, how does it feel that the company has been 80 years in business?

Stephen Walsh (Owner): It’s just so, so amazing. It’s really hard to imagine that 80 years ago, my grandfather sat down with some colleagues in a tiny little workshop just up the road in Terenure and came up with the idea to go into this business—and here we are, 80 years later, still going strong. It’s amazing. It’s a thrill.

Denise: You must be so proud, Stephen. Now tell me, is there something you’re particularly proud of?

Stephen: You know, it’s been part of my family’s heritage. It’s been the dinner table conversation over the generations, and there are some stand-out moments. I remember as clear as day, 1979, the Pope came to Ireland. I remember coming down to the workshop the morning of the Pope’s visit, and there was nothing left on the shelves. It was just such an honour that we were part of that moment and historic event.

Denise: What I feel is that your customers are so invested, in all of your Facebook walks, your projects, everything you do. They really seem to appreciate it. The amount of time and energy you put in is a lot, but you love it, don’t you?

Stephen: Yes, because it’s the customer. It’s the person at the other end of the phone, the other end of the mail order, clicking and purchasing our products. It’s that person we directly engage with. Long ago, it was very much just the shops and stores that we dealt with. But now, being able to talk directly to our customers, they inspire me with ideas.

I love when I get comments on posts about how much people enjoy the content. That means so much to me and my family, to know that the hands here in our workshop have created something special for our friends on the other side of that screen, our friends in America, all over the world. To me, that is so lovely, to know that our products are being enjoyed far and wide.

Denise: That’s it exactly. You get so much lovely feedback, and we hear about where the pieces end up around the world. But tell me this: Why do you think Connemara Marble Jewelry has stood the test of time? Why has it been such a success?

Stephen: It goes back to my late father and his inspiration to create rosaries, initially from something indigenously Irish. Our first products made from Connemara marble were rosary beads, a gift of faith, an absolute piece of Ireland.

As we evolved from rosary-making into jewelry-making, the fact that this is Ireland’s national gem, a true piece of Ireland, meant everything. It’s taken from the ground in Ireland and crafted into beautiful things. So when you hold it, you quite literally have a touchstone to Ireland in your hand.

You’re feeling and holding a piece of Ireland that has lain in our country for 900 million years. For me, it’s a thrill to go out to the quarry, to see the stone coming from the ground, to watch it pass through the workshop, crafted and created into exquisitely beautiful jewellery, which I’m so proud of. Just to know that, from Ireland through the whole crafting process, to the customer and back to me… it’s something really special.

Denise: Wow, Stephen. Well, on behalf of all your wonderful customers and all of us here in the workshop, we’re such a small crew, congratulations! 80 years in business since 1945. And thanks so much for taking a moment this morning to tell us all of that.

Stephen: It’s been a pleasure.

Closing Thoughts

Connemara Marble’s story is one of family, legacy, and love for Ireland, for craft, and for the people who cherish its treasures. As Stephen continues his grandfather’s vision, it’s clear that this isn’t just a business…it’s a tradition that continues to inspire, connect, and thrive. Here’s to the next chapter in a story that began 80 years ago with a simple dream and a piece of Irish stone.

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