Light up Christmas with artisan candles

Tucked under the stairs at the Irish Georgian Society’s wonderful home on Dublin’s South William Street, Mona O’Rourke sits with her artisan candles from France and Italy and Germany, on sale until Christmas. “I’m like a little church mouse under the stairs.”

There are candles by Pedro Miguel of Paris, are hollowed-out in the centre to hold a tea light, making the candle permanent. It’s called “wax form” style and is a very neat trick that makes the candle a real centrepiece. Other high-gloss lacquer and metalised orbs and traditional taper candles are by Deber of Bergamo in Italy, and tall, multi-coloured pillars are by Maria Buytaert of Germany.

Prices from €12 to €225. Let's Lighten Up, 58 Sth William St, Dublin 2; lets-lighten-up.com