What to buy when in Ireland? While you can search for the most popular souvenirs and gifts from Ireland, I just don’t think that should cut it! Are you picking up something to remember Ireland? Or you are looking for a unique gift for your friends? Why not steer clear of the usual tat and look for something a bit special. Why not a unique souvenir or gift from Ireland? So when you’re trying to choose what to bring home from Ireland, look no further!
What to Buy When in Ireland? Unique Gifts and Souvenirs from Ireland
We’ve all walked the streets of a city to see the rows of tacky tourist shops. In Ireland, these are all the same. You can’t help but notice the traditional Irish music drifting through the open doors! While these shops can be handy in a last-minute souvenir pinch on the way back to the airport, does anyone really like gifts from these shops? Orange white and green socks, a Guinness-shaped money box or slippers or a Dublin baseball hat or t-shirt? Let’s not leave out the “pog mo thoin” license plate. Luckily there are much more memorable and sincere gifts and souvniers you can take home from Ireland!
Traditional Irish Gifts – Clothing
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Irish culture and clothing was long influenced by the climate. With the wild and bitter winds of the Atlantic and frequent rainfall, heavy knitted clothing was common in Ireland. Similarly, due to the countries history of dependence on agriculture, with an abundance of sheep farmers meant a lot of clothing was made from Irish wool. Why not bring home a warm Irish Jumper to remember the …
Aran Jumpers
Traditionally these were quite rough knitted wool jumpers used to protect fishermen from the cold and difficult conditions of life at sea. They were first created on the Aran Islands which is where the name came from. Now, they come in a variety of colours and patterns and the wool can be treated to be more comfortable. Most tourist towns will have an Aran Jumper shop where you can pick one up.
You can now choose from jumpers, scarves, shawls and gloves and slippers.
These don’t come cheap, but is a great gift to bring home from Ireland, and will surely keep you warm in winter!
I picked up one recently in “Village Crafts” in Doolin village!
Socks – keep your feet cosy
What is one thing we all need? Socks! Socks have traditionally been the go-to gift for dads for years. However, in Ireland, socks can be the perfect gift to bring home to just about anyone!
The Irish Sock Society
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The Irish Sock Society are a Galway Company. Their socks are super colourful and have plenty of Irish humour to go around. They really do have socks to brighten any occasion.
https://irishsocksciety.com/
Sock COOP – Fun and colourful Irish Socks
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Another fantastic Irish Sock Brand is Sock Coop who aim to provide “A little piece of Ireland for your sole”. They certainly do that! This small company have unique designs – providing panoramic views of special Irish places for your feet. From The long walk Galway, to Dingle, Cobh in Cork and Skellig Michael, you can bring these places home with you. Who knew you could have a piece of Ireland with you while you walk to work?! Or the perfect gift.
They even do Birthday Gift boxes. Sure what could be better?!
https://sockcoop.com/
Wooly hat
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A wooly hat is a must in Autumn/Winter, and luckily, there are plenty to choose from. I always tend to look for new hats when I visit Irish attractions. The giftshops always tend to have some Irish wool hats on display. I picked up one of my all-time favourite hats in the giftshop of Clonmacnoise from “Glenrua Wool”. So keep an eye out!
Books
- Irish Myths and Legends – there are so many beautifully illustrated books that go through the various Irish myths and legends. From “The Children of Lir” to “Cú Chulainn“.
- Irish Poetry Books
One of my all-time favourite book stores is “Charlie Byrnes” Bookshop in Galway City. Be sure to stop off for a browse if you’re in Galway!
Irish Food and Drink – Irish Food Souvenirs
The good thing with Food and drink souvenirs from Ireland is it’s not hard to find them. While you can pick up food or drink from distilleries, …. you can easily tip into a supermarket – there is no shortage of “Dunnes Stores” or “Supervalue” in every town and city in Ireland.
Cadburys – English company but Cardurys Ireland
So I think a lot of people are shocked to hear that Cadburys is actually an English Company. Many, including a lot of Irish, think that the company started here. Perhaps because of our dependence on the “Dairy Milk” bar. BUT regardless, some Cadburys Chocolate is a great thing to bring back, although it can be found around the world, it is said that it tastes best in Ireland and the UK. In Ireland, the Cadburys Dairy Milk bars are produced in the Coolock factory in Dublin as well as some other popular varieties and of course, they’re made with Irish Milk!
Biscuits – Irish biscuits available in supermarkets
The staple to most Irish kitchens are biscuits to have with tea. Jacobs biscuits originated in Ireland and there are a number of favourites that you can pick up in the nearest shop – representing the best of Ireland’s tradition in baking. The best include Kimberley’s, Jam Mallows, Rich Tea and bourbon creams
Alcohol – Best souvenirs from Ireland
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Whiskey – Irish Whiskey
Who doesn’t appreciate the gift of alcohol?! As whiskey is believed to have originated here on the Emerald Isle, a bottle of whiskey may be the obvious choice! Most Irish whiskeys can be picked up in a supermarket (Jameson, Bushmills, Paddys)
Gin – Why not some delicious Irish Gin
Irish gin has risen in popularity over the last few years. Head to the nearest supermarket off-license to grab a bottle. Such as Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin, Glendalough gin
Poitin – One of the strongest drinks in the world
While Poitin was illegal in Ireland up until 1997, this serious stuff is now available to buy. Poitin – pronounced Putcheen – is typically one of the strongest drinks in the world. The stereotypes do not lie! It was made by distilling barley, grain potatoes etc in a pot and typically had an alcohol content of up to 90%
Luxury food and drink
Chocolate
Other Chocolate brands include Skelligs Chocolate, Butlers Chocolate and Katie’s Chocolate (one of my favs!)
Irish Tea – Things only Found in Ireland
There is a huge rivalry in Ireland between Lyon’s Tea and Barry’s Tea. Why not try both and see which you like best!
Other Food and drink-related Irish Gifts & Souvenirs
Why not sneak a Guinness pint glass from the pub (or by all means, buy one!). You can relive that refreshing pint of the black stuff over and over again. Or for some Irish memorabilia, take a coaster from your favourite pub. I have a whole collection of coasters.
A lot of people talk about Irish Bread and Cheese. While I wholeheartedly agree that this is delicious, these are best tried in Ireland because they really don’t transport that well. For that reason, I’d only recommend foods that will last transit, like unopened biscuits, chocolate and alcohol. But do try Irish Brown Bread and Cheese if you wanna risk it!
An Irish cookbook
While Ireland is known for it’s hearty Irish Meals, inspired by the cold and windy weather, why not pick up a traditional Irish Cookbook? That way you can continue to enjoy that beef and Guinness stew or seafood chowder from the comfort of your own home.
Cute Irish Souvenir shops – Gift shops Ireland
There are so many fabulous souvenir and gift shops around Ireland. On your travels, take a look of for these stores:
- Avoca – County Kerry, Kildare, Wicklow and Dublin
- Kilkenny shop – Galway City, County Cork, Clare, Kildare, Meath, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Dublin
- The Craft Village in Spiddal
- The Treasure Chest – Galway City
Irish gifts and souvenirs for the home
Fairy Door – Traditional Irish Things
Storytelling spans back generations over hundreds of years in Ireland. And many of the myths and legends are still told today. A lot of Irish folklore is surrounding fairies, who access Ireland through a gateway. Well, why not pick up a fairy gate for your little one? You’ll find these in most tourist shops.
You can also pick up a fairy door to bring home as a memento or as a gift? This is such a charming idea and is bound to entertain.
Irish Pottery
Some amazing brands include Nicholas Mosse, Colm De Ris and Rossa Pottery. But you can find many independent artists in craft shops and markets across the country.
Art – what to buy when in Ireland
One of my favourite places to have a browse in Galway City is “Vanda Art Gallery” on Abbeygate Street, as well as the craft village Spiddal – I love the colourful paintings there. But you’ll find countless galleries throughout the country.
Keep some coins
Keep hold of some euro coins, although if you could get your hands on some old Irish punt, that would be even better.
A tin whistle – Irish Gifts for Kids or those who like music
A tin whistle is an ….. instrument. Every child learns to play the tin whistle in school here. Why not pass this on to someone else, or learn a tune or two yourself?
You can find a tin whistle in any music shop. In Galway City, head to Powell’s on Shop Street.
Finally, the cheapest and easiest souvenirs to bring home from Ireland – Ireland memorabilia
Photographs – An easy way to travel back in time
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Taking photos is the easiest way you can go about remembering your time on the Emerald Isle. There is no better way to capture and preserve memories and places that you can continue to enjoy for years to come. And better yet, they are free to take! And do not take up any room on the way home!
For some ideas of where to go in Galway City, check out these Instgrammable Places in Galway City – although the pictures don’t have to be for the ‘gram, these are some of the best places to take pictures to remember the city!
Check out my Instagram where I share all my own images from around Ireland.
Generic Ireland Souvenirs and Gifts – What should you get someone from Ireland
If all else fails, and you find yourself on the last day of your trip with no gifts, make do with the tacky Tourist Shops mentioned previously!
Some of the best items to take home from these shops would be:
- Magnets
- Postcards – I love collecting postcards from different places
- Chocolates/sweets
How to transport your large souvenirs and gifts home?
Luckily, a lot of galleries in Ireland will include transport. They will ship your items to the US etc so that you do not have to carry them with you. This is great for items like large prints. That way, you can arrange a date for when you will already be home to receive them.
For other gifts, you’ll just have to leave room in your luggage!
Conclusion
I hope this post helped you when it comes to What to buy when in Ireland. In all honesty, the possibilities are endless. It is best to choose something that will be useful to you in the future or provide some value. Something that will keep the memories of Eire alive forever!
