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On the momentous US Presidential visit to Ireland, Barack Obama and his lovely wife Michelle travelled to Moneygall in Offaly to visit the traced ancestors of Barack Obama.
As a gift, a local jeweller Cathal Barber was commissioned to design a piece of jewellery for Michelle Obama to take home as a memento of her Irish experience.
Cathal Barber is the fourth generation of his family to pursue a career in jewellery. He has a Diploma in Horology from the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology and Professional Jewellers and a Diploma from The National Association of Goldsmiths London. In 2009 Cathal graduated from the Crafts Council of Ireland Jewellery skills and Design Course in Kilkenny with the additional distinction of being awarded Student of the Year.
It was a proud moment for him to design a piece for the first lady, to get an idea of the precision of Cathal’s work visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQNBaVoKXAM&feature=player_embedded.
Closer to home Cathal has also had pieces designed in his own studio worn by former Miss Ireland Laura Patterson, at the Miss World Contest. She wore a beautiful necklace of 18 carat gold, diamond and silver designed.
To see some more of Cathal's work you can visit the family business which is in its fourth generation established in 1890. R J Barber & Sons Limited is a retail jewelley store located at O'Connell St, Birr, Co Offaly. Opening hours are 9.30am to 6pm. Closed Thursdays and Sundays. Ph: 057 912 0044
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