Irish crystal most likely forms part of Irish sea glass source materials. The craft of glass making and designing glassware goods has been a part of Ireland’s heritage and history since Celtic times with complex beading and jewellery being crafted for wearing, gifts and ritual offerings. With the introduction of fine lead crystal in the 18th-19th century the hand-blown glassware craft in Ireland rose to the fore for a number of decades and after a lull of about 100 years a revival of the industry occurred in the later half of the 20th century.
The presence of many world famous quality lead crystal manufacturers in Ireland through including Cavan Crystal, Tipperary Crystal and of course Waterford Crystal, has meant that quite a large volume of Irish crystal glass items have been produced. Fine lead crystal has been a popular export from Irish shores and ports for hundreds of years. This means that Irish crystal has been moved and transported around Irish coastal waters for the same time. It is not hard to imagine the some of the frosted white sea glass found around the Irish coast is worn down Irish crystal maybe even a shard of Waterford crystal especially if it is found with a faint cut pattern etched on one of the facets.