Hello heading for the emerald isle in a weeks time. Was wondering what items to buy there that Ireland can call her own and that you travellers loved while there? South Africa has its Rooibos Tea, Australia with its vegemite and tim tams, etc. Anybody have any suggestions?

My wife swears that Irish rough cut marmalade--you'll see the difference the minute you pick up a jar-- is the best in the world of marmalades. She goes into withdrawal once the supply runs out on our return home.

Payant - where do you live? If that's not an intrusive question.

My husband will only eat Keiller's Dundee Orange Marmalade - which is also 'rough cut'.

I buy it here in MA at a discount store for a third of the price that I would pay at my regular grocery store.

Ah Alya, we must love the same food for sure! Good marmalade is a joy. I am always looking for different ones. Payant, I love the rough cut marmalade also. These post are getting me hungry, LOL. I also love a good cherry jam and plum jam, in fact have one right now that is from France. Problem is that I can't get the lid off!!! But what are son-in-laws for.
Wulfstan, have a beautiful time in Ireland.

Guiness

LoveItaly, When you've visited the farmers market on Saturday you could try this recipe

2lb of red plums
5 tbsp boiling water
3 cups granulated sugar

put a saucer in the fridge to cool - to be used later:

Sterilise 2 large jars, put 3tblsp of water in each one and heat on high for 2 minutes, place upside down on kitchen paper to dry.

1 - put the plums in a large bowl and add the boiling water. Leave uncovered and cook in the microwave on full (750-800w) for 10 minutes - stir once.

2 - stir in the sugar, cook on full for 7-8 minutes until the sugar has dissolved, stir every couple of minutes.

3 - reduce the power to medium (550w) and cook for 25-30 minutes - stir every 6/7 minutes.

Spoon a small amount of the jam onto the cooled saucer, place it in the fridge for a minute. If a skin forms on top which wrinkles when touched then the jam is ready.

4 - let the jam cool to lukewam and ladle into the warmed jars.

Cover and label.

easy and tasty!

Whoops, the plums should be halved and stoned - sounds like fun doesn't it

Tayto Crisps
TK Red Lemonade
Guinness
Battered Sausages/Burgers
Black & White Pudding

In the airport when leaving they have a food section. SMoked salmon is popular when I bring to the U.S. my mother loves kerrygold butter - much creamier than the American stuff. Tea bags as they are much stonger tasting. And I haul back a few loaves of Brown bread and homemade rasberry jam and they freeze the bread and eat over the next few months. They are like bricks in my suitcase!

I know I'm going to spell this wrong, because it's kind of early - if you can get your hands on a jar of Ballymalloe relish - try it! It's a tomato based relish - I've had it on everything from eggs to burgers. It's amazing.

Whoa thanks for the many replies, going to try them all!

Also: Connemara walking socks, knit gloves from Magees, well, almost anything from Magees. If you like Irish literature and poetry, the book selection is wonderful. Irish linens, i.e., tablecloths, napkins, wonderful nightgowns.

Potatoes!!!

Curious

Bewley's teas. They are so much more flavorful than anything we have in the U.S.

Butler's chocolates, a soft woolen shawl my mother wears constantly in the winter, something made from peat, (we bought a small Celtic cross), a little Beleek item w/ shamrocks like an Xmas tree ornament, a piece of pottery, Aran sweater, a,(once again small item), of Waterford, it IS possible to find something affordable, and maybe a Guinness shot glass. Okay, I admit it we went sort of crazy with our shopping in Ireland, but gee it was our first time to Europe. And, I didn't even mention all the gifts we brought back for family!

And some Nicholas Moss pottery mugs for drinking the tea!