Albeit a small country, Ireland’s heritage is a true testament to the nation’s rich past. Many of our visitors wish to bring home a small piece of local history and culture, and we cannot think of a better way to do so than with one (or two) Irish souvenirs.
Whether to freshen your home a bit or as a token gesture towards friends or relatives, souvenirs make thoughtful gifts that show we care. Here’s a small compilation of goods hailing from the length and breadth of the island, all worth purchasing on your trip to Ireland.
Locally-made knitwear
If there was a single word to define Irish homes it’s coziness. The Emerald Isle’s rough weather can be treacherous, so one’s gotta be prepared for all eventualities.
If your trip takes you to the west coast of the country, make sure to leave some time for the Aran Islands. Not only will you fall in love with their unspoiled, barren landscapes, but you will also come home with a wool blanket or an Aran sweater (you’ll be won over by their labels bearing the knitter’s name). Farmers and fishermen can attest to their wonders at keeping you warm.
If your Irish adventure takes you up north, Donegal tweed is as local as it gets fashion-wise. Dress it up with a hat and suit and you’ll pass for a local. And yes, you can still buy your tweed garments from everywhere in Ireland. Magee 1866 is a local favorite with stores in Donegal town and Dublin.
GAA merchandising
Ireland is home to several athletic disciplines, GAA (or Gaelic football) being perhaps the most known abroad. Besides hosting the All-Ireland Championship, concerts, and other sporting events, Croke Park is also famous for the GAA Museum, a tour of this sport’s history and local legends.
The Croke Park shop is heaven for football fans. A Sam Maguire trophy replica? Got it. A GAA softball? Ticked.
Religious trinkets
Ireland’s bond with spiritualism and the Catholic religion is a strong one, as evidenced by the huge number of religious shops in cities like Dublin, Galway, and Cork.
For some a token of their faith, for others an artistic piece of memorabilia, local symbols such as the St. Brigid’s Cross, Celtic crosses and icons, shamrock bracelets, and rosaries are the perfect intersection of the pagan and the pious. Overwhelmed by choice? St. Martin Apostolate, in Dublin’s central Parnell Square, is a good place to start!
Literary gifts
Ireland’s literary profusion translates in some lovely bookstores spread across the country. Why not bring a sample of the country’s finest output by paying a visit to Hodges Figgis, Ireland’s oldest book shop, for your fair share of Yeats, Shelley, or Wilde?
And with such a profuse artistic heritage, how could we forget about the greatest? James Joyce’s fans can pack a token of their idol in the shape of Ulysses’ famous lemon-scented soap. This one-of-a-kind memento is only available at Sweny’s Pharmacy in Dublin.
Local delicacies
Some countries tend to be strict regarding the import of goods, so we’ve limited our suggestions to products that won’t likely cause you any stress at the airport.
A trip to Ireland wouldn’t be complete without a heartwarming cuppa. Bring the most genuine flavor of the country home with your favorite brand.
Expert Tip: The Irish will go to war over Barry’s or Lyon’s, Ireland’s two household tea brands. Make sure to exercise discretion when picking your tea or you’ll be sure to cause uproar!
Pair your cup of tea with a wee slice of soda bread and reminisce about your trip to the Emerald Isle over breakfast. Hansel & Gretel bakery in Dublin will ensure you pack home some of the best bread in town.
Finally, if you’re willing to try your chances at the airport, head to Dunnes for a jar of homemade Ballymaloe relish (perfect to spread on toast or as garnish for your Irish sausages) and a pack of buttery or full-bodied Irish cheddar. Heaven sent.
Spirits
That Guinness tastes better in Ireland is no understatement. Any stout fan visiting us heads straight to the Guinness Storehouse, where, in addition to a lovely tour of the brewery, they can bring home a personalized glass of their black elixir.
If spirits are more your thing, Ireland and whiskey (with an “e”) share an unparalleled love story. Dublin’s Jameson Distillery is popular with barley lovers, while Bushmills is Northern Ireland’s response to this popular amber nectar. Alternatively, the Irish Whiskey Museum, with almost 100 types of this spirit will leave you spoiled for choice. Sláinte!
If you are eager to check out more of Dublin’s best when it comes to beer and spirits, check out our Beer & Whiskey Tasting in Dublin’s Historic Pubs tour. With a local guide, you’ll visit the oldest and most iconic pubs in Dublin. And yes, you’ll be able to find some great souvenirs along the way!
Crystals and pottery
When Ireland comes to mind, visitors might not think of pottery. Luckily for home decor aficionados, the renowned Belleek pottery from Co. Fermanagh offers a whole range of modern-to-traditional china, dinnerware, and cutlery sets.
Just over 100 miles south of Dublin, the House of Waterford is a frequent choice when it comes to picking a souvenir that will become a heirloom. Its factory has produced crystals adorning the chandeliers in Westminster Abbey and the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball.
It’s well worth a visit if you are in the area and is a wonderful place to pick up a very unique Irish souvenir that will last a lifetime. The Waterford showroom boasts clocks, jewellery, tumbler glasses, and more. You only have to have it wrapped carefully for the journey home!
Musical instruments
If you have, by some miracle, managed to leave some empty space in your suitcase, you then deserve a special souvenir to celebrate. What best than the gift of music to reenact Ireland’s artistic tradition?
Dublin Waltons is not only home to one of the country’s signature instruments, the tin whistle (yes, the dreamlike sound at the beginning of Titanic’s heartbreaking power-ballad comes from of these teeny-tiny flutes), but it is also the shop where any melomaniac’ dreams come true.
Or you can always get your drumming act on with a bodhrán, a traditional Irish drum played with a little wooden stick. Believe me, you’ll get curious visitors knocking on your door in a flash.
Local’s Tip: Unless you already master the instrument, perhaps stick to the travel-designed bodhráns you can find in most music shops. An expert drum can cost hundreds of euros.
Jewelry
Buying a piece of jewelry has far too many advantages, the main one perhaps being it takes very little space in your case. Put a small fragment of mythical Ireland on your finger with a Claddagh ring. This gem representing love, friendship, and loyalty is composed of a heart clasped by two hands and is carefully topped with a crown.
The Galway-based company has been crafting one of Ireland’s most identifiable symbols, and the good news is you can get hold of it almost anywhere in the country.
Insider’s Tip: You’ve got all your goods ready to go and can’t wait to spread the festive joy of Ireland at home. One last thing: Ireland, like any other EU country, applies Tax-Free Shopping, so don’t forget to declare your purchases at the airport to enjoy a VAT refund.
Whether you decide on a Guinness customized glass, a bottle of fine whiskey, or a Claddagh ring, our Dublin Walking Tours will put you on the right track to reminisce about your Irish home away from home, as they include or pass nearby some of the loveliest businesses where you can buy Irish souvenirs.