Have yourself an Irish-made Christmas.
Looking for Christmas present inspo? Her‘s Christmas Gift Guides have got you covered.
Below, you’ll find a selection of gorgeous products made by Irish companies that your friends and family will be only delighted to find under the tree.
Not only do you get to be the giver of something stylish, but buying from homegrown companies should give you an extra festive glow. With Brexit (still) looming, Irish industries, especially smaller businesses, need our support – plus, shopping locally and sustainably is the green thing to do.
Happy shopping – and Nollaig Shona Duit!
Rachel Corcoran Dublin Doors prints, from €25
Dublin illustrator Rachel Corcoran offers a beautiful section of greetings cards and art prints on her site. We love the Little Women, Big Ideas print commemorating some of the women who shaped history, as well as her Irish-themed prints that are perfect for posting abroad. Harry Potter fans will adore her depiction of the books’ characters. My favourites are the Dublin Doors series, each of which depicts a Georgian door in one of the four seasons. The high-quality prints are made in Dublin, and the packaging is biodegradable.
Rathbournes Dublin Dusk & Dawn travel set, €40
There’s no shortage of high-quality Irish candles available this Christmas, but Rathbornes gets our vote for being the oldest candle company IN THE WORLD. The company has been producing candles in Dublin since 1488 – that’s before Columbus discovered America – so, safe to say, it’s had plenty of time to get things right. My house is always filled with the scent of the Dublin Tea Rose candle, and for Christmas gifting I’m loving this Dublin Dusk & Dawn Travel Set. The beeswax candles are hand poured, fragranced with premium essential oils and incorporate a top-of-the-range wick for longer, more even burning.
NutShed Christmas Rawb Gift Box, €25
Born in Limerick’s Milk Market, NutShed is run by Tipperary sisters Evie and Eliza Ward and specialises in top-quality, unprocessed peanut butter. This gift box includes 12 hand-made ‘rawbs’, made from wholefoods including dates, seeds and nuts. The energy balls are vegan, and gluten- and diary-free. I can’t decide whether the Lemon & Turmeric or Ginger Spice ones sound better, but luckily you get the full flavour range in the box. For Christmas, NutShed is also offering a six-monthly subscription, which will see two jars of their signature peanut butter delivered to your door each month.
Póg little bracelet, €55
Reclaiming the word ‘póg’ from being automatically followed by ‘mo thóin’ is Melissa Curry. The Sligo-born jeweller has produced a Póg collection that features sterling silver bracelets, necklaces, earrings and a ring. Each features a red enamel disc that says póg on one side, and has a X representing the kiss on the other. They’re sweet gifts for teens, and for posting to friends and family abroad who can carry their kiss with them every day. And upping the ‘awwwwww’ factor even more, a percentage of every sale goes to the Jigsaw mental health charity.
Alana Plekenpol Irish Weather single tile, from €40
For the person who loves wall art but has reached saturation point with prints, comes these cute and quirky tiles. Made by artist Alannah at her Wicklow studio, the tiles see traditional Dutch blue patterns meet modern graphic design. I’m loving this weather tile, an ode to our all-seasons-in-one-day climate, as well as the Rose Tinted Glasses design. They’re priced depending on whether you was to hang or stand the tiles, or have them framed, and there are double tile variations on some designs. Two lines of tasteful personalisation is also an option!
Lennon Courtney at Dunnes Stores cobalt kimono, €30
If Dunnes Stores isn’t one of your usual shopping destinations, remedy that right away. The Irish chain’s fashion collections are particularly strong this winter – the Savida range, in particular, will sort your party season needs. When it comes to gifting, Dunnes has something for everyone in the family among its collaborations with Irish designers Joanne Hynes (statement fashion), Helen Steele (colourful athleisure), Paul Costelloe (swoonful tree decorations), and Helen James (covetable homewares). Top of my wish list is this striking kimono designed by Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney, and the matching pyjama sets in electric blue and pink. Who doesn’t need new PJs at Christmas?
Superfolk black oak trivet, €75
What do you buy the person who has everything? An oak trivet to rest their teapot on of course. Not to most obvious of Christmas gifts, admittedly, but it certainly proves that functional can also be beautiful. Superfolk is a team of makers, headed up by husband and wife team Geared Muldowney and Jo Anne Butler, that’s based in Mayo’s Clew Bay. Their ethos is one of positive social and environmental change, and as such they use natural, renewable materials and minimise waste. Superfolks range of seaweed illustrations, printed on Japanese washi paper, would make a nice addition to any gallery wall.
Slated black trio candle holder, €45
Slated is the brainchild of husband and wife Ed and Tara Hammond, who took the family trade of slate crafting (which dates back generations on Ed’s side) and used it to fashion a modern homewares range. The Wicklow company produces handmade tableware, platters and candle holders. Thanks to the carving and the slate itself each piece is already unique, but they can also be personalised. The copper and slate range is perfect for a minimalist design schemes, while the pure slate is made anyone who enjoys a Game of Thrones vibe.
