If you want to give more than the gift of the gab on St Patrick’s Day, then we have rounded up the best of Irish on offer. From cookbooks to kooky kitchen accessories and cosy knitwear, here’s our pick for St Patrick’s Day...
Carraig Donn Worsted Wool Unisex Sweater
Uses only the finest natural yarns to create utterly gorgeous knitwear factory in Westport, Co. Mayo.
Established in the early sixties, Carraig Donn is still 100% Irish owned and operated. They stock lots of brands in their stores and online, but the traditional wool designs for for men, women and children are still our favourites.
Carraig Donn Worsted Wool Unisex Sweater €49.95 from www.carraigdonn.com
The Brown Bull of Cooley (or An Donn Cuailgn) e-book
Inis publications have brought out an Irish and English version of The Brown Bull of Cooley (or An Donn Cuailgn) for children.
The legend of Queen Maeve of Connacht, who sets out to capture The Brown Bull of Cooley, to prove to her husband that she is the richest person in Ireland, is re-told by ex-BBC journalist Trish Hegarty and beautifully illustrated by Celtic artist, John Quigley. Suitable for 6-10 year olds.
Both the Irish and English versions are available on Amazon and Kindle or order directly from inispublications.com, £5.99
Cake Café kitchen designs
If you haven’t visited Cake Café in Dublin you are missing out, but for a taste of what they do away from home, the online shop has an array of witty Irish crafts.
Designed by the clever (and a little crazy) Niall&Nigel at Pony design studio there are plates, aprons, tea-towels and other gifts with an Irish twist.
The range includes cushions, tea towels and aprons to brighten up your kitchen, and they are made in Ireland and printed on 100 per cent Irish linen.
Prices starting from €17.95. Shop online at www.thecakecafe.ie, or find The Cake Café on Facebook
I Love Barry’s Tea T-shirt
Barry’s Tea has lots of quirky merchandise on their online shop from ‘Keep Calm and Drink Barry’s Tea’ mugs to ‘This is my Tea Bag’ organic tote bags. The men’s and women’s t-shirts are ethically made, available in red, grey and black and good news, they deliver worldwide.
Barry’s Tea T-shirts, £13, from www.barrysteashop.ie
Beautiful designs from Áine Hanson
Made by the very talented Sligo-born Áine Hanson (now an East London native) this classic frame handbag is stunning on the outside and inside with a fully lined interior in racing green goat suede. Or for a sophisticated way to protect your technology check out her bespoke leather iPad cases, hand-stitched with waxed linen thread on English bridle leather.
Handbag, £975 and iPad cases £175-£200, all exclusively at hansonoflonfon.com
Irish and Proud of It trivia book
Full of interesting trivia, quotes and facts about Ireland, this miscellany is for anyone who loves Ireland. From our most famous entertainers, poets and scholars to our weather and geography and a look at our best inventions, it’s a good read to celebrate your roots.
Irish and Proud of It, £5.99, available from www.summersdale.com
Colleen doll
Mykidstime Store stocks some great handmade Irish products for kids including Colleen, the Irish dancer doll. Designed in Ireland and printed on Kona Cotton using waterbased inks and made with lambswool from Co. Kerry mills, she’s washable and can be personalised with a name or message.
£24.68 from www.mykidstimestore.ie
Build your own Dublin
Anke Eckardt, an enthusiastic model builder, was making a miniature version of her local village for her son when she came up with the idea of making a kit for other children to build too. With the help of a friend they created a range of miniature Irish towns and cities for kids to assemble.
The kit contains five hand painted models to cut out and keep.
Build your own Tiny Town, £12.30 from mykidstimestore.ie
