If you’ve been following my adventures here on my blog or on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll know that I love any excuse to get out and about exploring Ireland. I also love finding Irish businesses that are making and doing some very cool things!
So I’ve put together a list of Irish gift ideas, including a bunch of products and experiences that I think are pretty amazing. These gift ideas are perfect for the nature lovers and adventurers in your life. From kids to adults, budget to luxury, there is something here for everyone. Even the fussiest of people!
If you’re looking for sustainable and eco-friendly gift ideas, there are plenty of items included here that fit the bill. Of course you can always make, bake, re-gift or upcycle but if you choose to buy, hopefully these gift ideas will help you tick off your list and enjoy a low-waste Christmas.
These are just a small handful of Irish businesses doing great things. I know there are so many more but I just had to stop writing at some point! So do look out for other small businesses in your area that you can support too, not just at Christmas but whenever the need to gift (or treat yourself) arises.
Let us know what you find, or if you already have favourites, add your recommendations to the comments below and give them a shoutout! If you are a business owner, let us know where you’re based and a little about the products or experiences you offer.
Gift an Experience
Let’s start with gift vouchers! There are so many great experiences on offer around the country, the trick is just finding them. Check out what’s on offer near the person you are gifting to, or make a weekend of it and go explore another part of the country with them and join in the experience.
Here are a few of my favourite picks. Share your favourites in the comments so we can all start planning some new adventures!
Galz Gone Wild
Established just last year, Galz Gone Wild has quickly grown into a vibrant community of women who are embracing the outdoors and all its benefits come rain, hail or shine! There are hiking trips for all levels organised within Dublin, Wicklow and further afield and many trips include yoga or an outdoor sauna and swim. Not only that but weekends away and other events are also organised regularly.
As the name suggests this one is for the gals, though there are some events open to all like the upcoming Christmas Pub Crawl Hike on December 2nd! A gift voucher would make the perfect gift for any gals you know who just want to get outdoors more often, increase their fitness or meet like-minded people. To purchase a voucher, email Mel at galzgonewild@gmail.com with the details and the amount you want to spend.
Follow Galz Gone Wild on Facebook or Instagram for more information on upcoming events. If you see a hike or event you like, get in quick. I’ve learnt from experience that things book out fast! Make sure you’re first to know by signing up on the Facebook page.
City Kayaking and Dublin Bay Sails
City Kayaking offers a unique perspective of Dublin as you kayak right through the heart of it, along the River Liffey. Paddle under the O’Connell and Ha’penny bridges, some of Dublin’s most famous landmarks. No experience is needed and people of all levels of fitness can participate. Trips run daily, all year round. Visit the website to purchase gift vouchers.
During the summer months look out for the Music Under the Bridges events. Enjoy a break under Dublin’s iconic bridges while local artists play for you, then get the paddles going again and continue your experience along the Liffey. It doesn’t get more unique than that!
Or maybe it does! The same team now bring you Dublin Bay Sails. You can enjoy a 4 hour sailing experience through Dublin Bay on a traditional wooden sailing ship. After some basic sailing instructions you’ll be part of the crew, so prepare to set the sails, climb the rigging or heave the ropes with your fellow sailors. This looks like a whole lot of fun and a good workout too! There are gift vouchers for the sailing experience and even the option to upgrade and sleep on board for the night either before or after your experience.
If you fancy giving either of these experiences a go yourself, use the promo code Allkayaking for 10% off your booking. Please note the discount code does not apply to vouchers.
Wild Food Mary
Foraging is the oldest method of gathering food and collecting and eating wild food has many benefits. It’s also healthy, fun and free. Yet many of us wouldn’t know where to start, beyond picking a few blackberries on a walk. Yes, I am referring to myself. Guilty as charged!
Based in Co. Offaly, Wild Food Mary has been foraging all her life. With a background as a teacher, chef and wild food author she’s the perfect person to get you started on your foraging adventures. You can join Mary for wild food foraging at her home in Offaly or at Crann Óg Eco Farm in Co. Galway. Discover the hidden treasures all around you and enjoy a delicious meal incorporating foraged foods. You’ll also get recipe ideas to try out when you put your new found skills into practice.
Workshops are available throughout the year from March to October and Mary also hosts Wild Food Stayovers at her home. Visit the website for more details on events and to purchase gift certificates.
Other Irish Gift Ideas
Wild by Water
If you’ve been looking for the perfect bag for your everyday adventures, then you’re in luck. These funky and functional bags, designed and created by Dublin based sisters, Jacki and Nicole, have got you covered.
Wild by Water bags are inspired by a love of wild and natural environments. They feature beautiful images of coastal and natural environments, making them the perfect gift for anyone who loves and appreciates the natural beauty of the outdoors.
The unique and stylish designs are ethically-made, using recycled and sustainable fabrics and materials. They’re also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught out in the rain. Some of the bags can be worn two ways so you can transform them to suit, no matter what you’re getting up. From messenger bags to clutches, cross body bags to simple day packs, you can find the right bag for anyone!
All bags are available to buy on their website, so visit Wild By Water to see the full range and for more info.
Móinéir Irish Wines
Ok, so this one is less about getting outdoors and more about bringing the outdoors inside. Inside your glass to be exact. Well someone else’s glass if you’re gifting, but trust me, you’ll want to make make sure you’re there to help!
Móinéir Irish Wines are made by Wicklow Way Wines from 100% Irish berries and make the perfect gift for special occasions. Choose from strawberry, blackberry or the latest edition, raspberry. All are low in sulphites and suitable for vegans.
Móinéir is the Irish word for ‘meadows’, which is where the berries for the first wines were painstakingly foraged by makers Pamela Walsh and Brett Stephenson. I told you good things come from foraging! The wines are made in small batches in their County Wicklow winery and are produced as sustainably as possible. The company is a verified member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green, Ireland’s world-pioneering food and drink sustainability programme.
On a side note, I was introduced to these wines through family. My cousin and her husband are the makers of St Tola cheese and had the Móinéir wines at an event they were holding. My aunt was telling us about the wine afterwards and of course we were all keen to try so there may or may not have been a large tasting session at our next family gathering!
I mentioned that to Pamela and she told me that they pair the Móinéir Strawberry Wine with St Tola cheese for their tours. So, pro tip right there folks – Móinéir Strawberry wine and St Tola goats cheese for the win! The tours get you a behind the scenes look at Ireland’s first fruit winery and the wine making process, so would make a great gift along with the wines.
Visit Wicklow Way Wines to buy online, find stockists or get further information on tours and tastings.
Liadain Aiken Knitwear
It’s definitely the perfect time of the year to gift some new winter woolies and I don’t know about you but I can’t help but feel happy when I look at these colourful knits by Liadain Aiken Knitwear.
The company was established with the desire to create sustainable and ethical garments. Each piece is designed and made to be cherished for life. While many of the pieces are made in Liadain’s studio in Dublin, I love the fact that there is also a small team of knitters who work from home, just like the cottage industries of old.
Visit Liadain Aiken Knitwear to see the full range of beautiful hats, scarves, dresses, homewear and more. You can even get yourself a virtual bear hug, if you can find it!
Copper Rainbow Sea Glass
I’m back to foraging again! This time the results are not edible but they are certainly beautiful. These stunning pieces are designed and made by Ria, who describes herself as a slow-living eco mama and jewellery designer.
Along with the help of her daughter, Ria hunts for colourful pieces of sea glass along the beautiful beaches of the Northern Irish coast. Their treasured finds are then transformed into beautiful pieces of bohemian jewellery, if they can bear to part with them that is!
You’ll find a large variety of jewellery in different colours and styles in the Copper Rainbow Etsy store. Or if you have something specific in mind, Ria is happy to take custom orders. Just get in touch by the last week in November, before she gets too busy!
I love the idea of the wish bracelets. They’re just a single piece of sea glass on a cotton cord, attached to a piece of cardboard with the following message – “Close your eyes & make a wish, tie this bracelet to your wrist. When the bracelet breaks in two, the wish you made may just come true!” Such a simple but lovely idea and perfect for stocking fillers, secret santa or even the kids’ teachers.
Follow Ria on Facebook or Instagram for more sea glass, simplicity and slow living adventures.
White Witch Skincare
White Witch is an ethical skincare range made from certified organic or wild, ethically harvested ingredients. All products are 100% vegan and the ingredients such as wildflowers, plants, oats and seaweed are sourced from the unspoiled landscape of the Atlantic coast.
It’s not just the products that are ethical, the packaging is too. Everything is totally plastic free. I’ve gifted these products before and they’re just beautiful, the design, packaging, presentation, everything. Once the products are used up, you can reuse the jars and the little organic cotton bags always come in handy!
Grown clothing
Grown Clothing is one of a growing number of companies who believe that clothing shouldn’t cost the earth. They use 100% certified organic cotton in their range and for every t-shirt they create, one indigenous Irish tree will be planted. All products are designed and printed in Ireland.
The company is also involved in many environmental programmes, including a new campaign which will help to protect the biodiversity of the Burren in Clare.
If you don’t want to gift clothing, you can choose to gift a tree instead. You’ll receive an organic cotton print with the location and number of the tree included. The trees are planted in Co. Clare and each tree will eventually produce enough oxygen for four people a day. Perfect if you’re looking for a small thoughtful gift.
Scratchable Map Ireland
Come up with a good idea, rope in a friend to help and then add an Irish mammy for good measure! That’s exactly what Paul from Scratchable Map Ireland did and he hasn’t looked back since.
The result of their collective efforts is a lovely hand-drawn map of Ireland, which as the name suggests, is scratchable! A little while back I was gifted one of the maps by the team and I think they make such a lovely gift.
The maps are printed in Ireland and on each one there are 62 attractions around the country to scratch off once you visit. Behind each place name is a lovely hand drawn image of the attraction, which makes it a lovely souvenir that can be framed and displayed.
Little Green Shop
Little Green Shop is a small family run business based in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. They have heaps of great gift options available from their online store. Stainless steel water bottles and reusable cups are great gifts for people that are out and about a lot. The bottles are perfect for winter hikes as they’ll keep your tea or coffee warm for hours!
There’s a good selection of gift sets too or just purchase individual items and make up your own. Choose anything from shampoo bars to vegan cosmetics, non-toxic art supplies to food storage options and heaps more. Everything you need for a plastic-free Christmas!
Share the Love
I know there are so many more great Irish businesses but these are just some of the ones I have come across and love. Looking forward to more recommendations though, so please pop your favourites in the comments and share this post to share the love!
Looking for more ideas? – Check out our 2019 Christmas Gift List
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