Bull McCabe, an Irish farmer, dumps a dead donkey in a lake. It transpires that McCabe's son, Tadhg, killed the donkey after discovering it had broken into the field the family has rented for generations. The donkey's owner blames Bull McCabe for the death and demands "blood money".

McCabe has a deep attachment to the rented field, which his family has cultivated and improved, from barren to now very productive, over a number of generations. The field's owner is a widow who, around the time of the 10th anniversary of the death of her husband, decides to sell the field. She decides to sell the field by public auction rather than to McCabe directly. Unknown to McCabe, Tadhg has been harassing the widow for years, causing her to believe that McCabe is behind the harassment in order to force her into a sale. On hearing there will be an auction McCabe goes to the village pub and announces that nobody would dare bid against him for "his" field.

McCabe has constant doubts about Tadhg's ability to safeguard the field. His older son, Seamie, committed suicide when he was 13. McCabe blames himself for the death, as he told Seamie the field could only support one family, and that Tadhg would have to emigrate when he grew up. McCabe and his wife have not spoken in the 18 years since the death.

Peter, an American whose ancestors are from the area, arrives in the village. He has plans to build a hydro-electric plant in the area and quarry stone for new roads. Central to his plans is McCabe's field. At the auction Peter repeatedly out-bids McCabe, forcing the price up to 80 pounds, 30 pounds more than what McCabe can afford. Seeing the bidding war the widow stops the auction and insists there would be a new auction, with a reserve price of 100 pounds. Knowing he cannot out bid Peter and seeing his cattle thrown off the field, McCabe goes to the rectory to confront Peter, and the parish priest who has been supporting him. McCabe now discovers Tadhg's actions, expelling him from the meeting, and goes on to explain his deep attachment to the field. This includes the death of his mother while saving hay.

Peter refuses to back down from his plans. In a desperate last attempt McCabe and Tadhg confront Peter at a waterfall he has just purchased, the night before the second auction. When Tadhg fails to defeat Peter in a fight, McCabe himself intervenes and beats both men in a rage. Peter is killed, and upon realising this, McCabe has a mental break. He confuses Peter with his dead son Seamie. Tadhg flees to the Irish Traveller woman he has fallen for. He tells her he has killed Peter, and they make plans to run off together. McCabe's acolyte Bird O'Donnell bids on behalf of McCabe and secures the field for 101 pounds at the second auction, unopposed.

A Traveller boy spots the dead donkey floating in the lake and a crane is brought in to recover it. It inadvertently recovers the corpse of Peter. At the same time Tadhg comes home to tell his father he is leaving with the Traveller's daughter and says he never wanted the field. The Parish priest arrives to confront McCabe about the discovery of Peter. Having lost his son and with the corpse discovered, McCabe goes insane and herds his cattle to the cliffs. Bird informs Tadhg that his father has gone mad. Tadhg rushes to stop his father but gets driven over the cliff by the herd of cattle and killed. Further maddened with grief, McCabe attempts to drive the waves back from his dead son, while Tadhg's mother and the Traveller's daughter sob on the clifftop.

We will always strive to get your little piece of Ireland to you as soon as possible & in perfect order! 

Dispatch:

Irish Crafts will usually endeavour to dispatch goods within 1 working day of your order, we generally dispatch same working day where possible. If for some reason there is any delay to this we will contact you with updates & options.

If you need an item in a hurry please contact us for express courier rates before placing your order.

Delivery & Collection Services:

Important to Note: If you choose an accelerated check-out option such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, or PayPal, then the local delivery or local pick-up options will not be shown. Please manually enter your address details or use Shop Pay in order to avail of these options.

 

3. Delivery in Republic of Ireland 

Packages will generally be delivered by DPD, orders placed up to 12 noon Monday-Friday will be delivered next working day, orders placed after 12 noon will deliver within 1-2 days. If you supply a mobile number DPD will send you updates about your delivery.

If your cart consists of small/light items suitable to be sent by envelope, for example, greeting cards, you may be offered an alternative 'Envelope Service' this is a standard post service, delivering in 1-2 days for up to 250gm and is provided by An Post.

 4. International Delivery

Depending on the shipping destination we may use either Fedex or DPD couriers. These services are provided at (or below) cost; they offer an insured service with door-to-door internet tracking, proof of delivery & a signature is required on delivery (subject to local Covid-19 exceptions).

There has been a noticeable increase in freight & shipping costs worldwide, the reasons are broad & complex; soaring demand, a shortage of containers, saturated ports, too few ships, shortage of workers, customs complexities and of course the impact of Covid which will continue for some time. This challenge is in no way unique to us at Irish Crafts but we have been left with no option but to increase shipping prices and adjust 'free shipping' thresholds. We have opted to reflect these increases fairly and transparently - applying them to our Shipping Costs and not simply adding to our product prices which remain among the most competitive in the market.

The table below provides an overview of the shipping destinations, estimated days & rates. If your destination is not listed, we may be able to provide you with a quote via email, please contact us.

 

Covid-19 Shipping Impact:

Spring 2022 has brought along a welcome recovery from Covid restrictions, however, there are global imbalances as to the pace of recovery and it will remain a changing landscape for some time yet. While we are continuing to fulfil online orders we advise you to expect delays and irregularities as to when & how shipments may be delivered at this time.

 

Customs & Duties outside the EU*:

If you reside outside the European Union (EU VAT Area) local taxes/duties are not included in your order total & are not the responsibility of the Irish Crafts.

The delivery agent may charge the recipient local duties, taxes and processing fees, should any apply, at the time of delivery. As we have no control over such taxes or charges, they are not calculated in your online total. You should contact your local customs office for more information.

*Brexit: Note from January 1st 2021 The UK is now considered to be outside the EU VAT area, with the exception of Northern Ireland. 

 

Ukraine & Russia

Following growing unrest in the regions, from February 24th 2022, we will cease all deliveries to Ukraine & Russia until further notice.