I am a goldsmith and jewellery designer who creates sculpted, contemporary Irish jewellery using precious metals and traditional skills. With over 35 years’ experience, my signature style is inspired by the beautiful lough, shorelines and mountains surrounding the medieval village of Carlingford, where I am lucky to be based. My family and I live in my great grandfather’s house; with my children being the fifth generation of my family to live here, I feel an enormous sense of belonging and connection to the land. I love the sea, and can often be found going for a dip, or collecting seaweed along the shoreline for my vegetable garden, like my grandfather used to do.

I have always been interested in art, and I was introduced to jewellery-making when I was 16. From a young age I have had a great love of design, and this has instilled a passion for detail and craftsmanship to the highest level.

My journey in jewellery design began in London, where I was awarded a pre-apprenticeship scholarship with Sir John Cass School of Arts. This gave me a love for the art of jewellery making and creating with my hands.

Garrett with one of his first metal pieces

After completing my scholarship, I moved to Dublin to undertake my first apprenticeship with a leading Irish jewellery company. In a private capacity I loved to undertake numerous commissions for individuals and societies, which led me to dream of opening my own premises one day.

Thirteen years later, with a wealth of experience gained from working in the industry in Dublin, it was time to make the leap and set up my own business and begin creating my own collections. In 2002, my family and I relocated to a purpose-built studio and home workshop on the shores of Carlingford Lough – just in time for the birth of our third child!

In 2014 the then named Carlingford Design House was opened – a purpose built open-to-view workshop and jewellery school. In 2020 the Carlingford Design House and Garrett Mallon Jewellery were united under one name – the Garrett Mallon Design House. I display my own jewellery collections, and exhibit work from almost 100 artists and craftspeople from throughout the island of Ireland in our retail gallery. I am passionate about showcasing 100% Irish design to my customers, spanning ceramics, wall art, prints, textiles, jewellery, wood, cards and candles. I am very proud that our offering is fast becoming a hub for creativity in the North East.

I love what I do, and feel incredibly privileged to be able to make a living out of creating authentic Irish craft, taking inspiration from the beautiful Irish landscape surrounding Carlingford Lough. It gives me great joy to design pieces of jewellery that will create lasting memories or be seen as a treasured gift to those in Ireland and further afield!