About Us
Welcome to Blackthorn Candles, where every candle is hand-poured with care in the heart of Galway - a city full of creativity, craft, and culture.
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I’m James, the maker behind the candles. What began as a love for cosy evenings and beautiful scents has grown into a small Irish business dedicated to helping you unwind through the warm glow of natural soy candles and wax melts.
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Each candle is crafted in small batches using eco-friendly soy wax and premium fragrance oils, sourced from Irish suppliers where possible. Every label, package, and even this website is designed and handled by me - from my home to your home.
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You might have seen me at the Tiny Traders Village, Pride Markets, or perhaps joined one of my candle-making workshops - they’re some of my favourite parts of the job!
Every order truly means the world to me. When you light a Blackthorn Candle, you’re supporting local craft, creativity, and care - one cosy moment at a time.
How To Care For Your Candles!
Candle Care To get the most from your Blackthorn Candle, here are a few simple tips to help it burn safely, evenly, and beautifully every time.
Trim The Wick
Before each burn, trim the wick to about 5mm (¼ inch). This keeps the flame steady, reduces smoke, and helps your candle last longer.
First Burn
Let your candle burn until the melted wax reaches the edges of the jar — this helps prevent tunnelling and ensures an even burn. Depending on the candle size, this may take 2–4 hours, so sit back and enjoy the glow.
Burn Safely
Always place your candle on a heatproof surface, away from drafts, pets, and anything flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Burn Time
Try not to burn your candle for more than 4 hours at a time, and stop using it when about 1cm of wax remains at the bottom.
Reuse & Recycle
Once finished, clean out your jar with warm soapy water and give it a second life — they make lovely plant pots or storage jars!
Shipping
Information
Within Ireland
• Free shipping on all orders over €25
• Orders under €25 have a flat rate of €5
• All Irish orders are sent via An Post Express, with tracking included for peace of mind You’ll receive your tracking number once your order has been dispatched so you can follow its journey straight to your doorstep.
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International Shipping
• Shipping outside of Ireland is calculated automatically at checkout, based on your location and order weight.
• Standard shipping only is available for international orders — tracking may not be included.
• Delivery times vary by country and are estimated according to An Post’s standard shipping guidelines.
Sustainable Packaging
We use recyclable and reused packaging materials wherever possible — often reusing boxes and packing supplies from our own deliveries. It’s our small way of reducing waste and keeping your order kind to the planet
Returns & Refunds
At Blackthorn Candles, each candle is hand-poured with care - but if something isn’t quite right, we’re here to help.
Returns
If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days of delivery at blackthorncandlesinfo@gmail.com with your order number and a brief description (and photo if possible). We’ll do our best to sort things quickly with a replacement or refund. For safety and hygiene reasons, used candles or wax melts cannot be returned, unless there’s a fault with the product.
Refunds
Once your return is received and approved, we’ll issue a refund to your original payment method. Please allow a few business days for the refund to appear, depending on your bank or payment provider.
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Exchanges
If you’d like to exchange an item (for example, a different scent), please get in touch first so we can confirm availability and guide you through the process. Return postage costs may apply unless the item was faulty or sent in error.
As a small Irish business, every order means the world - thank you for supporting handmade craft from Galway.