Before the first pour.

Apollo Ipsum isn’t just a business. It’s a tapestry woven from friendship, late-night dreams, and the desire to create something that truly means something.

I’m Raymond, and alongside Colin, my oldest friend and creative partner, we started Apollo Ipsum on a rainy London night, huddled in a tiny kitchen, surrounded by wax, old books, and the aroma of burnt matches and cheap candles. We didn’t set out to build anything big... we just wanted to capture the feeling we got from reading a haunting story or stumbling on a forgotten, horrifying painting through scent and story telling.

Our first candles were clumsy, dripped with wax and ambition. We laughed at our failures and celebrated our tiny victories, and spent hours sketching ideas and many, many drafts. I remember the first time a friend told us our candle reminded them of a childhood nightmare they had, that was when we realised we weren’t just making candles. We were creating stories, nostalgia, and a bit of candle magic!

Now, as our story grows, we’re thrilled to welcome Freeman and Cian to the family. Heading up our new Irish branch, they bring that very same passion for craft, eerie tales, and hand-poured magic to every single jar we make in Ireland.

The People Behind the Pour.

We love all things dark, creepy, horror and weird! Colin used to be a tattoo artist in South Korea and an ex-marine navigator, bringing a world of stories and steady hands to our team. I’m Raymond, a pharmacist by training and currently studying graduate medicine (hopefully to graduate in a couple of months). Our backgrounds may surprise you, but our hearts are firmly rooted in the mysterious and the unconventional,and we love to create and be creative!

What Makes Us Different

Every candle is poured by hand with care by people who genuinely love what they do. Each design is a memory, a legend, or a dream, brought to life in wax and ink. My background as a pharmacist and graduate medical student, means every ingredient is safe, pure, and chosen with intention. We’re committed to biodegradable packaging and honest, UK-sourced ingredients (and now Ireland!) because we believe in doing right by our community and the earth. We’ve sold over 40,000 candles (and serving over 15,000 customers), but the real reward is hearing from fellow art lovers, bookworms, and dreamers who see themselves in our work.

  • Handcrafted Locally (Ireland & UK): We pour every candle by hand, in small batches, using organic soy wax and glass jars from North Wales.
  • Art Meets Storytelling: Our designs come from the eerie stories and literature we love, making each candle a work of art with a narrative.
  • Medical Expertise: As a qualified pharmacist and graduate medical student, I make sure every ingredient is safe and pure - no chemicals, just simple ingredients and honest craftsmanship.
  • Eco-Conscious: We’re committed to recyclable, biodegradable packaging and total transparency about our ingredients.
  • Community First: We’ve served over 15,000 (+) customers and received 1,300+ verified reviews from fellow art lovers and alternative souls who inspire us every day.

"For those who find magic in shadows and solace in stories - let our candles light your way "

Why We Do This

Apollo Ipsum is a love letter to the strange, the beautiful, and the overlooked. We make candles for people who find magic in old libraries, who see stories in shadows, who believe that art can change a day or even a life. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider, or if you’re searching for something that feels like home, we hope our candles light your way.