I send this amazing candle in the July ‘Summer in Dublin’ MyIrelandBox. Here’s what I wrote about it in my booklet:
‘…and what about this candle – not only does it smell so good, but Rathbornes have been making candles in Dublin since 1488 - they claim to be the oldest candle makers in the world! What history these candles have seen! Light it whilst you read this booklet.
Rathborne Candles - Dublin
‘’FOUNDED IN DUBLIN IN 1488, RATHBORNES IS THE WORLD'S OLDEST CANDLE COMPANY. FOR OVER 500 YEARS RATHBORNES CANDLES HAVE ILLUMINATED THE STREETS, HOMES, LIGHTHOUSES AND CHURCHES OF IRELAND, AND THE CANDLES WHICH WE PRODUCE TODAY ARE STILL HAND-CRAFTED WITH MANY OF THE SAME SKILLED METHODS WHICH WE HAVE USED SINCE THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.’’
Rathbornes was established in Winetavern Street in Dublin in 1488, - imagine that! We are talking the time of Columbus here! Candles were obviously very popular all those years ago, to light streets, homes, churches and so on and the business thrived.
‘’From the 1630s Rathbornes supplied Dublin with candlelight for its streets and lighthouses, creating a safer city for its residents and visiting merchants. Candles provided hope and safety from the storms which threatened sailors on the Dublin coastline.’’
Rathbornes have been refining their candles throughout their history, developing new formulations of wax, moving from animal tallow to develop a special blend of beeswax and stearin during the industrial revolution. This technical innovation gave a cleaner, slower-burning candle Rathbornes remained loyal to the traditional methods of craftsmanship, still hand-pouring their candles today.
All went well for them in Dublin’s city until a fire burned their factory to the ground in 1985, but they were resilient and rebuilt it, although many of the ancient records of the business were gone.
Rathbornes main business was in supplying candles to churches, and they still do today. Thankfully though, they make these beautiful luxury candles that are a real treat.
‘’Today we no longer need candles to light our streets, but we choose them for our homes. The soft, wavering glow of candlelight provides the same comfort and romance as it has for centuries. Still based in the heart of Dublin, our candles, diffusers and bath and body products all celebrate our rich heritage, and they mark the culmination of centuries of innovation’’
A job at Rathborne candles years ago would have been seen, as would employment at Guinness, as a ‘job for life’. The kind that generations of one family would serve in. The company employed 140 people at one stage and many relationships blossomed to marriage within the company!
I hope you hold dear this true piece of Dublin’s history in your home. It is a little bit of luxury and tradition from Ireland’s fair city.’
Now let’s read about the scent:
Warm top notes of raspberry & citrus blend with smooth rosebuds, vanilla and a sensuous base of oud, patchouli and amber resin for an amorous experience.
A romantic floral, sensuous & passionate.
DESCRIPTION
Lose yourself in the sweeping romance of this full-bodied rose fragrance
PRODUCT INFORMATION
This piece of luxury guarantees the best burn, has been hand crafted in Dublin, to create a memorable fragrance that we can indulge our senses anywhere in the home. Rathborne candles are handmade using a unique blend of beeswax & premium essential oils.
TRAVEL: One Wick Candle, 20 hour burns time. 75g.