Exploring Irish Fragrance, Culture, and Craftsmanship with Cloon Keen

In the rich tapestry of Irish heritage and folklore, Cloon Keen stands as a pioneering Irish niche brand, weaving the essence of Gaelic culture with contemporary perfumery.
Situated in the heart of Galway, a city steeped in mythology and cultural history, Cloon Keen's store embodies its profound connection to Ireland's storied past, with fragrances inspired by the vibrant landscape and traditions of Ireland, while honouring its heritage and embracing modernity.
Join us as we explore the captivating world of Irish craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural identity with Margaret Mangan, Creative Director & Founder, Cloon Keen.

How does Cloon Keen's history intertwine with Irish history?

Cloon Keen has an enduring fascination with the unique sense of place that is found in Galway, a city in Ireland steeped in association with mythology, folklore, language, and a vibrant cultural history.

Our store, cradled within a medieval archway built by Anglo-Irish merchants, sits at its very heart. Here, buskers play traditional music and the Irish language still animates the cobblestoned streets, while the mythic landscape, which has long inspired our great Irish writers and artists, envelops the city, fostering a sense of awe that’s renewed with each encounter.

Being so deeply immersed in Galway's fabric encourages a connection with our surroundings. It's this connection to place that shapes our work, from the perfumes we create to the stories we tell.

Our commitment to celebrating and preserving it ensures that, while we may draw inspiration from the historical tapestry around us, it is the living, breathing essence of Ireland that truly informs our identity.

What are the main botanical and perfumery heritages of Ireland, and how do they inspire Cloon Keen?

Perfume houses traditionally found their roots either in the opulent surroundings of royal courts to cater to affluent patrons or in regions abundant with botanical riches, such as Grasse. As neither of these conditions existed in Ireland it lacked a perfumery heritage until modern times.

However, in the early 1970s, poet and ex- priest Brian Mooney broke this tradition by establishing the ‘Vincent Perfumery' in the Burren, an area celebrated for its unique botanical diversity owing to its truly unique environment along the west coast of Ireland.

Mooney drew inspiration from the renowned Caldey Island monks off the coast of Wales, who are esteemed for producing some of the finest lavender in the world, a fact attested by the discerning nose of fragrance critic Luca Turin.

The ethos behind Vincent perfumery inspires our work to this day. It had a pioneering vision of creating fragrance which focussed on its local environment and the uniqueness of the plant life on its doorstep. He also had a vision of creating his business within a community to serve and express its character, which is also important to Cloon Keen.

What role do fragrances and botanicals play in Irish culture and traditions?

In Ireland, fragrant botanicals have traditionally been used in religious ceremonies and rituals in Irish culture. From ancient Druid rituals to Christian traditions, the burning of aromatic herbs like sage, thyme, and juniper was believed to purify spaces and invoke spiritual blessings. Cloon Keen has quite a few fragrances with incense, which I love, and in Ireland, this scent is linked to the thurible smoke of Roman Catholic masses and is a symbol of purification and sanctification.

Ireland has a rich history in folklore and mythology- what scents and botanicals capture this heritage?

In the vast array of perfumery ingredients, each possesses its own unique ambience. Rather than relying solely on indigenous botanicals, of which there are few, we approach our creations much like painters selecting colours from a palette.

Take, for example, our upcoming fragrance inspired by the scent of Bainin wool, the creamy white wool renowned for knitting the famous Aran jumper, which itself is surrounded by modern mythology.

To capture its texture and scent, we created an accord evoking softness through powdery violet, tonka, and light, airy musks. Additionally, we incorporated motifs such as gorse and rain, unravelling them into the Irish landscape.

As an Irish-born brand merging Gaelic culture and language in perfumery, how does Cloon Keen incorporate these cultural elements into its products and brand identity?

Our creative process is shaped by the world around us. Our workshop is based in the Gaeltacht, one of the few remaining Irish-speaking regions of Ireland, where there’s a rich oral and folk tradition.

The language and culture here express a different way of seeing the world.
So, it makes absolute sense to us to draw on this narrative and connect with people by sharing our unique culture through the language of scent.

Can you tell us more about Irish craftsmanship heritage, and how it reflects in Cloon Keen's offerings?

Irish craftsmanship is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage, blending tradition with innovation to produce exquisite works of art across various mediums. Take the famous Donegal Tweed, which can be traced back to neolithic times and the colours woven through the tweed tell a story of the natural landscape. Likewise, our perfumes are a reflection of our surroundings.

Ireland is a country with a rich history of preserving its landscapes and nature- how does Cloon Keen merge the country's mission for sustainable solutions within fragrance?

The fragrance industry takes sustainability very seriously, recognising our reliance on nature to provide the beautiful scents of flowers, woods, and other natural elements. Since we started Cloon Keen, over two decades ago, significant strides have been made, and Cloon Keen has wholeheartedly embraced these advancements.
For instance, just last year, we introduced refillable perfume bottles and candles, responding to a strong demand from our customers who appreciate these eco-friendly alternatives.
Our primary focus remains on ensuring that all our ingredients are biodegradable and renewable.

Traditionally, many synthetic ingredients originated from the petrochemical industry. However, in recent years, an increasing number of molecules have become available from renewable sources, marking a remarkable step forward in sustainability efforts. It's a source of immense pride to be part of an industry continually driving towards a more sustainable future.

How can fragrance brands pay homage to and preserve their cultural history while advancing innovation?

I honestly think that the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
If anything, innovation is now about restoring us to a relationship with our natural environment that our ancestors had. For instance, using green chemistry, from the start of product development, to engineer products so that they pose the least damage to the environment.

That's the innovation that we’re most interested in.