An iron St Brigid’s Cross created by ‘The Blacksmith of the Boyne Valley’ Tom King, better known as An Gobha, has won the Overall Best Product Award at the prestigious Showcase expo.

The judging for the Showcase Awards 2023 took place yesterday, the opening day of the trade fair at Dublin’s RDS.

An Gobha offers immersive and interactive experiences of traditional iron age metal forging delivered with theatre, stories, myths, and legends in Bohermeen, Co Meath.

An Gobha also manufactures and sells handcrafted metal decorative objects based on ancient Celtic symbols and artefacts of the Boyne Valley, Ancient East.

King created the St. Brigid’s Cross as a work of art based around the traditional cross, with depth and with colour, to mark Ireland’s new national holiday celebrating the country’s female Patron Saint, St. Brigid.

Aisling Fidleiri or Fiddler's Dreams (above) is a free standing forged figure placed on a turned ash plinth. The piece is a representation of a vibrant Irish music that runs deep in our culture & heritage.

Standing graciously, the free standing piece flows effortlessly with fine detail denoted particularly on the hands & fingers. Primed, painted, hot rod sparkle & two coats of two pack clear coat.

The Swan Spiral Pendant is inspired by the myths and megalithic art of the Stone Age monuments of the Boyne Valley. The spiral is found in abundance at Brú na Bóinne and other megalithic monuments.

There are many swan stories associated with the old mounds such as the story of Aislinge Oengusso at Newgrange and the Children of Lir.