The wood we use
The Woods We Use at Irish Pens
At Irish Pens, the wood is never simply a material.
Every pen we create begins with a piece of timber chosen for its character, grain, history, and its connection to a place. Many of the woods we use come from Ireland itself, carrying stories shaped by landscape, weather, heritage, and time.
We are a small family workshop based in Kells, County Meath, where each pen is individually turned, finished, assembled and engraved by Richard, while Catherine ensures it is carefully gift boxed wrapped and posted ready for you to gift
We work with carefully selected woods that in many cases come from fallen trees, reclaimed sources, or historic Irish materials that would otherwise have been lost.
No two pens are ever completely identical because no two pieces of wood are ever completely identical.
Irish Bog Oak
Few materials carry the sense of history found in Irish bog oak.
The bog oak we currently use came from Ballinagh in County Cavan, and the next batch we are currently drying is from a field on my daughter's and her husband's farm in Kingscourt, also in County Cavan
Preserved beneath the peat bogs of Ireland for thousands of years, bog oak is ancient Irish oak timber that has naturally darkened over time through minerals and the unique conditions of the bogland itself. Some pieces are estimated to be over 5,000 years old — older than the pyramids of Egypt.
The wood is naturally dark, rich in texture, and cool to the touch. Working with bog oak requires patience and care, as every piece behaves differently during the turning and finishing process.
For us, bog oak represents one of the strongest connections between Irish heritage and the written word.
Irish Oak
Irish oak has long held a special place in Irish history and folklore.
The Oak we are currently using came from the Phoenix Park in County Dublin, and from an Oak tree felled in 2020 in County Meath.
Often regarded as the king of the Irish forest, oak was associated with wisdom, strength, and endurance. The deep grain and warm natural tones of Irish oak make it particularly rewarding to work with when crafting handmade writing pens.
Each piece reveals subtle variations in colour and grain pattern, giving every finished pen its own individual personality.
Irish Whiskey Oak
Some of our most distinctive pens are crafted from reclaimed Irish whiskey barrel oak, from barrels decommissioned by the Midleton Distillery in County Cork. That's me selecting the next batch of Irish Whiskey barrel staves for our workshop.
Over years of whiskey maturation, the oak absorbs character from the cask itself, creating unique tones, markings, and depth within the timber. The result is a wood with both visual warmth and a genuine connection to Irish whiskey heritage.
These pens are especially popular as gifts, combining Irish craftsmanship with one of Ireland’s most recognised traditions.
Irish Walnut
Irish walnut offers a beautifully balanced combination of elegance and warmth.
The grain tends to be smooth and flowing, with tones ranging from lighter brown through to deeper chocolate colouring. When polished and finished by hand, walnut develops a rich natural depth that feels exceptionally comfortable in everyday use.
It is a wood that quietly stands out without needing excessive decoration.
Spanish Olive Wood
Olive wood has been valued for centuries for both its durability and striking grain patterns.
The Spanish olive wood we use is instantly recognisable through its flowing natural lines and dramatic contrast between lighter and darker tones. Every blank produces a completely unique visual result, making each finished pen highly individual.
The wood finishes beautifully and develops a smooth tactile feel that works especially well in a handmade writing instrument.
Purpleheart
Purpleheart is one of the most visually distinctive woods we work with.
Known for its naturally rich purple colouring, the timber creates a bold contrast to the more traditional Irish woods within our collection. Despite its striking appearance, Purpleheart is an extremely dense and durable hardwood that finishes exceptionally well on the lathe.
Its vivid tones and strong character make it particularly popular with customers looking for something a little different while still retaining the feel of a handcrafted wooden pen.
Sustainability and Sourcing
Sustainability is important to how we work.
We do not use tropical rainforest timbers or mass-produced commercial wood sources for our Irish wood collections. Wherever possible, we work with fallen timber, reclaimed wood, historic materials, and responsibly sourced hardwoods.
Because we work with natural wood, grain patterns, colour, texture, and figure will always vary from pen to pen. That individuality is not considered a flaw — it is part of what makes handmade wooden pens special.
Crafted in Our Workshop in Kells
Every pen is individually crafted in our workshop in Kells, County Meath.
From cutting and preparing the timber through to turning, sanding, finishing, assembly, engraving, and presentation, each stage is carried out by hand in small batches.
Over time, we plan to share more of that process here, including workshop photography, timber preparation, and short videos showing how our pens are made.