Celtic Designs

Derdriu Store offers unique personalized Irish language gifts. The capital letter of the Irish name can be decorated with your choice from the animal designs below. 

Deer (Fia in Irish)

Deer appear in the tale of Sadhbh (Sive), mother of Oisín, whose tragic story begins when a druid transforms her into a deer. Another inspiration comes from the extinct Great Irish Elk—one of the largest deer species ever known. Towering nearly 7 feet tall at the shoulders with antlers spanning 12 feet, this majestic creature disappeared around 8,000 years ago.

Fox (Sionnach in Irish)

Foxes are prominent in Irish folklore. In one tale, St. Brigid, one of Ireland's patron saints, tames a wild fox to replace a pet accidentally killed by a man who was then imprisoned by the King of Leinster. Brigid secures the man’s freedom with her clever gift, but the fox, missing Brigid, eventually escapes to find her again.

Hare (Giorria in Irish)

A native species, hares have been in Ireland since before the last Ice Age and are often associated with the supernatural. In one myth, Oisín wounds a hare, only to discover a doorway to an underground hall where a woman sits with the same injury. From that moment, he swore never to hunt hares again.

Bull (Tarbh in Irish)

The bull design is inspired by the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge, where Queen Medb launches a raid to steal the legendary Brown Bull of Cooley. Cú Chulainn, still a youth, becomes its sole defender. In early Ireland, cattle symbolized wealth. In Christian tradition, the bull also appears in the Book of Kells, representing St. Luke and the sacrifice of Christ.

Cat and Mouse (Cat agus Luch in Irish)

There are two designs to choose from. These characters are inspired by Pangur Bán, a 9th-century poem by an Irish monk. Pangur, a white cat, mirrors the monk’s scholarly focus by hunting mice while his owner studies. The cat in the Book of Kells (folio 48) also chases a mouse, echoed in the illustration with a striped feline in the upper design.

Horse (Each or Capall in Irish)

There are two designs to choose from. Horses are central in Irish myths. The sea god Manannán mac Lir had a magical horse names Aonbharr, said to be as fast as a cold spring wind. The lefthand design includes decorative elements inspired by horse illustrations in the Book of Kells. 

Lion (Leon in Irish)

In the Book of Kells, the lion symbolizes the Gospel of St. Mark and Christ’s resurrection, often representing divine strength and renewal.

Wren (Dreoilín in Irish)

The wren holds a unique place in Irish culture, especially on Wren Day (December 26th), when people dress as “Wren Boys” and go door to door singing for charity. This tradition, similar to trick-or-treating, includes verses like: “The wren, the wren, the king of all birds…”

Otter (Madra Uisce in Irish) 

Literally "water-dog," the otter is a beloved creature in Irish folklore. Another name, dobharchú, refers to a mythical creature said to be part otter, part dog—or even half fish. The design features an otter holding a fish (iasc).

Lamb (Uan in Irish)

In Christianity, the lamb symbolizes innocence and sacrifice. During the apparition at Knock, Christ appeared as a lamb on an altar, reinforcing its sacred symbolism.

Badger (Broc in Irish)

Badgers are common in Ireland and appear in myths as shape-shifters or kin to Tadg, the foster father of King Cormac mac Airt.

Swan (Eala in Irish)

Inspired by the myth of the Children of Lir, where a jealous stepmother transforms four children into swans, this design captures one of the most poignant tales of Irish mythology.

Robin (Spideog in Irish)

Robins in Irish lore are seen as omens or messengers from departed loved ones—small birds with deep symbolic weight.

Wolf Hound (Cú in Irish) 

This design is an Irish wolf hound pup. The inspiration was the story of Cú Chulainn (the hound of Culann). The story tells of Sétanta, who, after killing Culann's guard dog in self-defense, offers to replace it, becoming Cú Chulainn. The name Conor derives from Conchobhar, meaning “lover of hounds.”

Seal (Rón in Irish)

This design is of a white seal pup. Seals play a key role in Celtic legends about Selkies—creatures who live as seals in the sea but become human on land. Eventually, they return to the ocean, longing for their true form. The name Rónán means “little seal.”

Peacock (Péacóg in Irish)

There are two designs to choose from. The peacock on the right is a tribute to the peacock designs of the Book of Kells. Like the lion and fish, the peacock was also used as a symbol of Christ in the manuscript

Wolf (Mac Tíre in Irish)

“Mac Tíre” translates to “son of the land.” Wolves, once native to Ireland, were hunted to extinction by the 18th century. In folklore, figures like King Cormac mac Airt were raised by wolves, symbolizing wild wisdom and strength.

Squirrel (Iora in Irish)

The red squirrel (Iora Rua) is a native species, though declining due to competition from grey squirrels. In legend, they were linked to Queen Medb and thought to bring water or snow—harbingers of weather.

Bear (Math-ghamhainn in Irish)

This design is of a brown bear cub. Bear can be translated to "béar" or "math-ghamhainn" in Irish. Bears, though now extinct in Ireland since the 1st millennium BC, once roamed the land and appear in various myths. In one tale, Fionn mac Cumhaill receives aid from a bear during the Battle of Ventry. In another, Lir transforms into a bear while searching for his swan-turned children.

Bird in Nest (Éan i Nead)

This design isn’t based on a specific bird but serves as a tribute to the intricate, interwoven bird imagery found in the Book of Kells.

Lynx (Lincse in Irish)

This design is of a Eurasian lynx. Though extinct today, the lynx once roamed Ireland. A lynx bone found in County Waterford in 1934 confirmed its ancient presence.

Owl (Ulchabhán in Irish)

This design is of a long-eared owl, which is the most common and widespread kind of owl in Ireland, and in Irish is ceann cat ("kyann catch"), literally meaning "cat head". The more general Irish name for owl is ulchabhán ("ull-kah-vawn"). In Irish mythology owls were associated with wisdom and knowledge. 

Rabbit (Coinín in Irish)

Rabbits, introduced by the Normans in the 12th century, are now widespread. The Irish word coinín (“kun-een”) reflects their modern presence rather than ancient roots.

Eagle (Iolar in Irish)

There are two designs to choose from. On the lefthand side, a white-tailed eagle—recently reintroduced to Ireland—and another (righthand side) inspired by the Book of Kells, where the eagle symbolizes St. John and Christ’s ascension.

Hedgehog (Gráinneog in Irish) 

Pronounced “grawn-oh-g,” gráinneog humorously means “little ugly one,” though these creatures are undeniably cute. Though common now, they were likely introduced in the 12th or 13th century.

Puffin (Puifín in Irish)

Atlantic puffins nest along Ireland’s coast and feature prominently in folklore, often said to predict incoming storms.