What to Buy in Ireland

1. Orla Kiely Accessories

Orla Kiely has long been one of my favorite Irish designers. Her brightly colored handbags and accessories make you happy just looking at them. Orla’s designs are available through many retailers in the US. However, I really wanted to buy one of her stem print bags in Ireland. Just because:). You can find them at Kilkenny Design department stores.

2. Waterford Crystal

Another well-known brand around the world is Waterford Crystal. But, there is something special about visiting the Waterford factory and showroom in Waterford and bringing home that memory. My husband and I purchased a couple crystal Christmas ornaments of traditional Irish symbols, a shamrock and a claddagh. They are highly collectible and so special to pull out every year. If your plans do not include Waterford, you can still find pieces at department and specialty stores throughout Ireland.

3. Irish Whiskey

Duh. Hopefully you are enjoying some of Ireland’s “black stuff” (Guinness) and whiskeys during your visit. Don’t forget to grab a bottle or two of something rare or favorite to enjoy when you get back home. We visited the Jameson Distillery in Midleton where we purchased a couple exclusive Distillery Blends. The Bow Street Distillery in Dublin also offers special editions.

We were able to pack our bottles of whiskey in our luggage without incident. We wrapped them heavily in our laundry to make sure they were well protected from breakage. If you aren’t comfortable packing glass — or if you want to purchase more than just a bottle or two — the distillery can assist with shipping. Many whiskeys are also available to purchase online through Caskers.

4. Butler’s Chocolates

There was a Butler’s Chocolates Cafe on the corner of Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin that I first spotted while we were walking around, but there are other locations in Dublin and throughout Ireland. After you’ve treated yourself to a hot chocolate at the cafe, the shop carries a wide assortment of individual chocolates and boxed gifts to take home. The truffles are truly amazing! I’ll be honest, some of these did not make it home b/c we ended up snacking on them back at the hotel:)

Butler’s does offer online shopping and shipping to the US. But, the shipping charges can be hefty if you don’t meet the free shipping threshold. Still, might be worth it! P.S. They also have an App!

5. Aran Knitwear

If you are going to be anywhere along the Wild Atlantic Way or the Western Isles, you will not want to leave without taking home one of the beautiful, iconic sweaters from the Aran Islands. My mother used to knit similar fisherman style sweaters for me when I was little. It is cozy, yes. But, it is special because it is handknit with care and tradition.

I bought my light blue sweater and matching fingerless gloves from a shop in Galway. You can also purchase them online here or from Blarney Woolen Mills.

6. Irish Tweed

Tweed is a sturdy woolen fabric that has traditionally been used for men’s jackets, suits, and hats. If you are looking for something special for a man in your life, Irish tweed makes a really great souvenir and/or gift. I am partial to the Hanna hats and caps because they are so classically Irish.

I could not convince my husband to go for the hat, but I did buy a tweed vest for my son. He wears it at Christmas and looks absolutely dapper in it. There are woolen shops all over Dublin and other cities throughout Ireland. You’ll see them everywhere!

Tweed suiting is available pretty much all over the world. It is special to buy something while in Ireland, but, of course, if you need to pick something up after-the-fact, Blarney Woolen Mills and Real Irish have a great selection to purchase online.

7. Rathbornes Home Fragrance

Rathbornes are the world’s oldest candlemakers and Ireland’s oldest company. You can find candles and diffusers at Kilkenny Design department store and other specialty shops all over Ireland.

My personal favorite is the Dublin Dusk Reed Diffuser. I have not found this anywhere is the US. However, it can be ordered online and shipped.

8. Avoca Cashmere and Woolen Scarves

Something that you will not find in the States are Avoca stores. I fell in love with the scarves and throws at the Avoca on Suffolk Street in Dublin. There are several locations throughout Ireland, as well as a store in Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.

I came home with several scarves and wraps in various colors that I absolutely love. The quality is wonderful and I feel very special wearing them knowing where they came from. Online ordering is available for Avoca in case you can’t wait.

10. Claddagh Jewelry

Galway lays claim to the origin of The Claddagh or ‘An Cladach’ meaning ‘the shore’. The Claddagh was a fishing village from the 5th century. According to legend, Richard Joyce, who was a member of one of the merchant tribes, was kidnapped by pirates on the way to the West Indies. During his captivity, Richard was taught the jewelry craft. Eventually, he was released and came back to Galway where he established a jewelry business and created the symbolic ring we now all know as the Claddagh Ring. It is a great souvenir for those who visit Ireland, and especially for those who visit Galway.

A couple places to purchase Claddagh Jewelry online are the original Claddagh Jewelers and Glencara.

Your Photos

Last, but not least, there are some things that you simply cannot bottle or pack. Corny as it sounds, memories and time spent with special people are the best souvenirs. Photographs are a close second because I don’t have the best memory and photos help me recall the moments. In that regard, here are a few suggestions for organizing and printing your beloved memories:

• Mpix: love their albums and photo gifts
• Shutterfly: great for creating greeting cards from your photos
• Printique: great for wall prints
• Mixbook: great for creating photobooks
• Snapfish: my longtime fave for individual prints