The LOK Story

Carrigacunna Castle

 

Patrick and Linda Walsh, our mother and father, returned to Ireland from London and set up their antiques and jewellery business in 1974. Our father, a Galway man who had been abroad for much of his life, was eager to bring his new English wife home to his native Ireland. Together they found an old Georgian House and Castle perched high above the banks of the river Blackwater, and set about restoring it. It was here, nestled between the lush fields and rolling hills of North Cork, that our family jewellery business was born.

A family run Jewellery & Antiques Business

We grew up surrounded by collections of antiques, fine art, porcelain and of course, the crowning glory, huge collections of vintage jewellery. This is an enormous determining factor on our jewellery ranges today: We like to combine old design with new gemstones.

Our house, Carrigacunna Castle in the village of Killavullen, was a giant show house where both collectors and private clients could come view the jewellery and antique furniture. People could visit and stroll through the antique showrooms or take some air in the walled gardens.

We children, two boys and two girls, helped my mother and father from an early age: it’s amazing what you learn through helping out! We learned how to deal with people of all ages and from all walks of life, We learned how to meet and greet, we learned how to buy and sell jewellery, we learned which gemstones are durable and which ones are only for best, we learned how to tell old jewellery from reproduction, and we learned the art of making people happy by selling them something beautiful, something that they would cherish and keep in their family for generations to come. We still chuckle about the days in the seventies when, as kids, we would come in to the kitchen and find the table strewn with gold necklaces and bracelets, the air foggy with smoke, our parents in the middle of making financial transactions, the jewellery dealers puffing on cigarettes and the dogs running around the room!

Later I (Laura Jane) went on to study The History of Art at Trinity College before finishing the GIA course for jewellers. Two of my siblings have since become gemmologists which is a great help when buying jewellery. The joy of jewellery is certainly a family affair.

Linda's of Kinsale shop front at night

Lindas of Kinsale - Jewellery Shop & Diamond specialists

We opened our shop in Kinsale, a town famous for its sea-faring history and fine dining on The Wild Atlantic Way, in the early 1990’s. It was a big step. Our father passed away and we needed to downsize. We have all worked in the family business but these days it is Linda (matriarch and big boss) and Laura Jane (small boss) who run the Kinsale business. Nowadays people visit our shop from far and wide. We have unusual collections of fine diamond and rare coloured stone jewellery. Some is vintage, some are bespoke items combining old design with new laser cut certified gemstones. Ours is treasure trove for all who love fine jewellery: From stylists and collectors to young engagement couples who simply want to celebrate their love.

It has been an incredible journey for our family and made possible by our loyal customers. Our mother has looked after many of our very first clients and it is an honour for us to look after our first customer’s children, and hopefully their children after that.