Irish Souvenirs
 

What are the BEST souvenirs to bring home from Ireland? Can anyone recommend a reasonable place to buy them? Thanks.

Everyone has different ideas about what constitutes a good souvenir so can't recommend. I can only say that if you see something that you like, get it; you may not see it anywhere else on your travels.

My souvenir of Ireland is a unique piece of jewellery made by a gifted goldsmith. My husband's souvenir of Ireland has long since been consumed - Irish Whiskey.

AS Irishface says if you see something you like buy it.

I have some treasured pottery pieces from Louis Mulcahy, some sweaters from the Aran Islands and some CDs purchased in the pubs. Wonderful reminders of a beautiful place.

There are knitted items all over that are thick and hard to pack, but you will find shops with those fantastic, thin, soft Irish knits that that will definitely make an impression. I found my DD a fabulous sweater dress in Kenmare that she really loves, and SIL a sweater-vest.

My grandkids loved these----a phone charm on a short chain with a fourleaf clover in a charm on the end of it. They hung them on their backpacks. They were in most of the shops and cost 2.50 Euros.

For me, a fabulous Pandora bead for my bracelet with a shamrock hanging down and a Claddaugh ring that I just love at a jewelry store in Westport.

As far as the souvenir stuff with names on it, etc.----it's everwhere. I also agree, buy it when you see it. The next shop might have a bit different style.

I have to add, MDH bought a coffee cup and dish from Louis Mulcahy that reminds him of the Dingle Peninsula everytime he uses it. As edhodge posts above, they are treasured items.

Tea towels are everywhere, inexpensive, and easy to pack; I usually buy some to give as gifts, maybe one or two for myself. For myself, like edhodle above, pottery from Mulcahy and others, recordings from pubs in Dingle, Aran knits.

If you (or anyone else who might be reading this) are in west Cork at the open-air markets, look for a nun in a blue habit selling from the back of a wee dark green SUV. She makes and sells jams and marmalade, and has beautiful hand-made knitted and crocheted items, as well as the four (at last count) books that she has written.

Tell her you heard about her from her friend in Texas. She'll know. 100% of the money supports orphanages and work with the homeless in many countries around the world, including Japan.

Or you can buy tourist tat made in China.....

I'll say it across and down:

WHISKEY

W
H
I
S
K
E
Y

I bought lovely silver brooches of traditional Celtic design from gift shop at Giant's Stairway (or is it Giant's Causeway?)in Northern Ireland. Also although I don't like souvenir teaspoons with tacky pictures and writing on them, I bought some silver ones with Irish symbols mounted on the top. One sits in my sugar bowl permanently and is a daily reminder of a great visit to Ireland.

My favorite souvenirs from my trip 3 years ago....some connemara marble jewelry purchased from a little shop in Dingle, the brand was All that Glisters (not glitters, glisters). I think this brand was available at other stores. It is designed and made in Ireland. I also bought a little silver pendant with my name written in Ogham alphabet. You ordered it one day and picked it up the next. I think that was in Dingle also. And lastly, a lovely lightweight wool scarf that I bought in Dublin. My main advice is that if you see something you like, buy it. Don't count on seeing something better or cheaper later. I wish I'd bought more scarves in Dublin, but it was our first stop and I thought what I wanted would be everywhere. It wasn't.

Jaja-West Cork are you sure .I thought she was in the North West (Donegal?)

She moved some time last year. I guarantee she is now in west Cork; she was at the Bantry market on Friday. Donegal's loss....

Thanks jaja-we are headed to the northwest in Sept.and was going to be on the lookout for her.

Enjoy the northwest, anyway, njsusan. I was there two Septembers ago and enjoyed it fully. Especially Glenveagh National Park.

Thanks Jaja will look for her in May...we'll be doing a drive around the country. I prefer buying handmade local things.

For those traveling to other counties besides Cork, one of my favorite souvenirs is anything carved from bogwood. I have a harp and a couple of high crosses. I did bring a carved cat to a cat lover friend once.

We have bought dish towels while in Ireland. There are cute ones with sheep on them. Also the pubs in Ireland will give you a beer glass if you ask them.

1. an Irish fisherman sweater

2. a shillelagh