What do you recommend we bring back from Ireland?/

My favorite souvenirs from a trip there were: hand knit wool cardigan sweater; Mosse pottery (primitive sponge painting on mugs and other things); Waterford glass - we got some discontinued designs and sizes not sold in the U.S. for very cheap; local hand-loomed scarves; local pottery vases; batik designs from Book of Kells on silk. If you like crafts there are some fine examples. What a pleasant task you have ahead!

I second the hand knit wool sweater! My husband and I each brought back one and are sorry we did not make it two each. They are wonderful.

easy answer : what you like.


I usually end up with at least one sweater, some Crystal ( I prefer Waterford, or Jerpoint Glass), and some jewelry.
My last trip, I also bought a small Beleek vase.

Debbie

I bought:

Aran wool sweater in Killarny and a box of Bewley tea bags! Devine!!
JOHN

I can not beleive that I forgot the best gift. A "Claddagh Ring" (sp?) from my ancestral home of Galway! Wear it on special occassions.
JOHN

Sweaters for me, too. Handmade jewelry. Tweed caps. Lots of little gifts made of Connemara marble---key chains, candlesticks, more jewelry. Items made of compressed peat.

I got a wonderful Angora wool shawl, made in soft greens and browns, at the Woollen Mills there. Also, little sheep figurines

Postcards of the scenery are always great, as are the claddaugh rings... my parents picked up a pair and wed with them (they just married for the first time when I was 34).

the sheepskin rugs are reasonable and belleek china can also be a good value if you like porcelain.

I bought several items at the Belleek factory, which they shipped home for me and which arrived in perfect condition. I bought some of the birthday boxes for gifts (and one for me) as well as a vase and a small covered dish. It is so beautiful.

I also found a heart-shaped Christmas ornament with a shamrock painted on it that looks like Belleek but didn't cost much. I got a sweater, too, and a couple of Celtic cross brooches for our daughters. Your problem may be what not to bring!

Wonderful sweaters too at the Blarney Woolen Mills. So many to choose from. It and some crystal are some of my favorite things we brought back with us. Ooooo, if you are a knitter, you could also stock up on a bit of hand dyed wools. I brought home some to make socks from, and was so happy I did. They are officially my 'Ireland Socks.'

On another note, my hubby lost both his reading glasses and his very expensive sunglasses on our last trip there, so I'd say his cheapy replacement sunglasses, and his pair of 'ready specs' from the pharmacy would be his two favorite things he brought home!!

Living in Florida I am very jealous of everyone that bought wool sweaters. I did buy several pieces of jewelry in celtic designs. I went with a pin in mind but find that I wear the bracelet the most. I found them in Dublin. For work I brought back a mouse pad from the Book of Kells.

We get more compliments on our hand-knitted sweaters. You can get the machine made wool sweaters, but the hand made ones are well worth it. You can tell the difference.

chocolate covered mcvitties and chocolate covered hobnobs. a whole suitcase full!

I hardly ever buy things on trips, as I hate carrying stuff. But I can't do without my Irish wool walking socks. Buy lots of pairs and always wish I had more. Umm, well and a nice grey wool sweater my wife bought me as a gift.

There's no Value Added Tax on Children's clothing so the last few trips I brought back wool sweaters for my two grand daughters and wool plaid pleated skirts (one a 'jumper'). The children's clothing is more expensive at the airport Duty Free shop than it was at Irish Handicrafts at Arthur's Quay shopping mall in Limerick City. Irish Handicrafts will also give you an instant VAT Rebate.

Last trip I brought back a gold Celtic cross for my wife. In the center it has the Claddagh design. I got it at a jewelry store in Ballina.

Irish people going to the U.S. usually bring bacon,sausages,black pudding,Kerrygold butter(very different flavor to American butter,contains omega-3)and Barry`s Gold Blend tea.I am not sure about the legal position of some of this as American customs have their own regulations.

It's an 'on again, off again' thing for Irish 'bangers' (sausage), bacon, blood pudding and the like. You have to buy them at the Duty Free in the airport. At Shannon they will seal-wrap them and attach a USDA certification. Last time I got to Newark (9/02) I declared some and the first thing the Agent said was No! But when I showed her the USDA certification she changed her tune and I was allowed to import Irish bacon and bangers and blood pudding.

What are mcvitties and chocolate covered hobnobs? I'm always looking for something different to bring back.

Neds Ireland

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