Cú Faoil celtic hound.

The Irish wolfhound is the subject of much celtic mythology, Bran being the most famous. There is nothing mythologial about the Irish wolfhound however, they were capable of taking down an elk and were known as fierce in battle alongside their master. Their reputation was unequalled throughout Europe, one ancient account states that a gift of 5 Irish wolfhounds to a 1^st century Roman Emperor made him the source of envy among all his peers.

The ancient Irish legal system, the Brehon Laws sets out clear instructions for the responsible care of a wide range of animals, from bees to tamed wolves. Unfortunately the last native Irish wolves, natural prey of the wolfhound were hunted to extinction by bounty hunters financed by Cromwell, £5 was offered for males, £6 per famele, huge sums in the 1650s. Without its natural prey the Irish wolfhound declined to the point of extinction, Irish wolfhounds today are descendents of hounds imported from France in the 19^th century.

The illustration of the hound on which this design is based is found in the Book of Glendalough.

This piece ia available as a brooch or as a pendant on an 18 or 20" silver chain.

Large Hound Dimensions 67 x 22 x 2mm

Medium Hound Dimensions 44mm x 14 x 1.5mm

Please email Oisín if you are unable to secure a piece of Glendalough Jewellery at one of our retail stockists.