KEEPING IRELAND ON TOP: WHOM YOU KNOW CELEBRATES IRISH STYLE INTELLIGENCE AND EXCELLENCE: Celtic Letter Knife: Mullingar Pewter by The Irish Gift House Earns Whom You Know's Highest Recommendation Up Westmeath!
We told Gavin Manley, our friend from the elevator to the Irish Consulate on Park Avenue in New York that we were competitively Irish. Well Gavin, this one's for you. We are so Irish that now even as we open our Christmas cards, we got rid of the old letter opener because that one was not made in Ireland but this one is! This Irish paper knife from Mullingar Pewter features an embossed Celtic knot design on both sides of the handle. The Mullingar Pewter Celtic knot letter opener measures 7 1/2" long and features a pewter handle and a stainless steel blade. The pewter paper knife is gift boxed with the Celtic knot history and is crafted in Ireland. We especially love it as two of Peachy's four great-great grandparents came from County Westmeath.
Item number MUL-C5CEL
http://theirishgifthouse.com/home.html
Family owned and operated, The Irish Gift House was established in Tempe, Arizona by Kerry O'Neal-Costanzo and Andrew Costanzo in 1994.
Prior to opening their Irish gift store, Kerry had been employed by her dear friend Lorraine Flynn, the owner of Irish Imports at Flynn's which was the original Irish store in Arizona. Kerry had initially met Mrs. Flynn years earlier while searching for an Irish gift for her mother, Pauline (O'Hearon) O'Neal.
Mrs. Flynn eventually retired and closed her store and with her encouragement, Kerry and Andrew opened The Irish Gift House in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe.
The Irish Gift House quickly became one of the leading sources of fine Irish merchandise and Celtic jewelry. In 2005, they added on-line sales and in 2013, they transitioned to an all on-line store.
The move to all on-line sales has proven to be very beneficial as both Kerry and Andrew are each blessed with a parent in their nineties and their required attention would not be possible if the traditional store had remained open.
The Irish Gift House stocks the world's largest collection of over 9,000 different Irish goods that includes Claddagh rings and Celtic crosses. After 23 years in business, The Irish Gift House's mission statement is still simple; they treat you like they would like to be treated.
Neither Kerry nor Andrew have college degrees, but both express an entrepreneurial spirit that has created several successful business ventures that has so far culminated with The Irish Gift House.
Kerry O'Neal Costanzo is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and was raised by a mother and father who instilled an appreciation for her Irish heritage.
Andrew Costanzo is a native of Ridgewood, New York; while a child his family moved to Arizona. Andrew is of Italian descent who was fortunate to marry a pretty Irish lass who dreamed of owning an Irish store.
Through The Irish Gift House, Kerry and Andrew have been active with the Arizona Law Enforcement Emerald Society and over the years have raised and donated almost $40,000.00 for the families of fallen officers and firemen. Most of the proceeds have been generated through t-shirt sales, including the Irish Pubs of Arizona T-shirt.
