Unique Irish Themed Christmas Gift Ideas

Are you looking for a Christmas gift that’s a little bit different than your usual bog standard socks and calender’s? Let these Irish gift ideas inspire you. These unique gifts are created by skilled craftsman in Ireland.

St. Brigid’s Cross by World Prayer Gifts

Handmade in Ireland, St. Brigid’s Cross is traditionally hung above entrances to dwellings to invoke good fortune and health. The Cross is associated with the arrival of springtime and the venerable Saint Brigid of Kildare. These crosses are handwoven from rushes harvested from the River Shannon in Ireland. St. Brigid’s Day is celebrated on the 1st February which was also the feast of Imbolg in the old Celtic year which marked the beginning of Spring. The crosses were traditionally made at this time.

Silver Ogham Pendant Personalised with Names Inscribed Ancient Script by CladdaghDesign

This silver pendant is personalised with up to three names of your choosing in Irish Gaelic. For example, you could add names of children, or you could add a special inscription of your choice. The message is hand inscribed by Cork based CladdaghDesign in Ireland’s oldest writing, the mysterious ancient script of Ogham. Ogham has been dated back to the 4th century. Examples can still be seen on giant standing stones scattered around the Irish landscape to this day.

Ogham Treasure Anam Cara, Soul Friend Pendant by Ogham Treasure

If the person you are shopping for is vegan, or would prefer something more delicate, then go for this stunning sterling silver pendant measuring 2″ long. It has been sculpted into the Ogham words Anam Cara – Soul Friend. The pendant comes boxed with information and explanation about this ancient Gaelic writing. Made by Ogham Treasure in Athlone, Leinster.

Irish Linen by Ulster Weavers

Ulster Weavers is a home textiles company based in Northern Ireland offering a vast range of high quality linen and textile products. The company can trace its history back to the nineteenth century. You will see their beautiful textile printed products such as aprons, tea towels, tote bags in souvenir shops around Ireland, but you can also buy their items on their Amazon store.

5000 Year Old Bog Oak Pendants by Fretmajic

Fretmajic is based in Galway, Connaught and creates beautiful pendants created using 5000 year old bog oak. Bog-wood comes from ancient forests that once covered Ireland. Many years ago, huge oaks and yew trees were buried in peat bogs and preserved from decay by the acidic and anaerobic bog conditions, sometimes for hundreds or even thousands of years. The dark colour comes from the tannin dissolved in the acidic water. During the nineteenth century bog oak was used to make carved decorative items such as jewellery and also in the construction of Royal palaces throughout Europe. Fretmajic turns the bog wood into beautiful pendants, check out their stunning range here.

Scents of Ireland by Bearded Candle Makers

Relive memories of Ireland with these beautifully scented candles made by Bearded Candle Makers in Belfast. These hand-poured soy candles use lead free, unbleached braided cotton wicks with premium grade fragrance and essential oils. All of their candles are free from additives, dyes, preservatives, phthalates, parabens and petroleum. Choose from a range of Irish inspired scents such as:

• Real Turf Fire with patchouli, woodsmoke, oakmoss, and cedarwood.
• Irish Gorse (whin) with scents of coconut, aniseed, and bluebell.
• Wild Flowers of Donegal featuring honeysuckle, primrose, and orchid.

Irish Tweed by Kate Irish Tweed Store

You can’t get more Irish that some traditional Irish wool tweed made with pure lambswool. There is something for everyone at the Kate Irish Tweed Store which is based in Killorglin, Munster. My favourites are the Irish Tweed capes and ponchos and the flat caps – popular again due to the Peaky Blinders TV show.

Irish Pub Birdhouse by Old Dakota

This adorable solid wood Irish thatched pub Birdhouse is hand-made using quality materials. The roof is made from Coconut fibre to give the appearance of a real thatched roof. The inside of the house has been left completely untreated to ensure a safe environment for the birds. There is also a fully functional front door built into the house to allow for easy cleaning of the inside after nesting season. You even get name the pub.

Celtic Dip Dish by Celticclaysireland

Handmade in Omeath, Ireland, this little dish is encircled with a Celtic knot on the outside and a triscal design inside. It comes with a ‘handmade’ maple knife/spreader which can stand upright on the pot through the little loop handle. Whether you are eating humus, paté or salsa this little dish will serve you well. CelticclayIreland also make a wonderful collection of other homewares as well.

Irish Whiskey

Ireland is the home of quality whiskey, so a gift of Irish Whiskey will be very much enjoyed. Alongside the better known Jameson Whiskey is a range of other excellent whiskeys to choose from:

• Connemara Peated Single Malt Whiskey: Well-smoked and peated, heather freshness and floral notes with a honeyed sweetness and a little wood. Hints of chocolate vanilla and oak leave a mouth-watering taste. This is one of my husband’s favourites.
• Feckin Irish Whiskey: Flavours of Honey with an Oak. Smooth, light and well balanced, this whiskey is ideal for sipping, mixing or cocktails.
• Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey: Embracing all three types of Irish whiskey – golden grain, pot still and malt, bringing complexity and depth. Superb drunk on it’s own, with ice or with a mixer.
• Wild Geese Single Malt Irish Whiskey: Smooth, peppery, spicy, malty oak and a complex sweetness with a hint of vanilla and a lingering earthiness.
• Teeling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey: This one-of-a-kind whiskey pays tribute to the Dublin-style whiskey that was made famous by the old, now-defunct Dublin Whiskey Distilleries and is the first whiskey to be distilled in Dublin in almost five decades. Teeling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is produced using a distinct Irish mash bill that comprises 50% malted and 50% unmalted barley. The whiskey is triple distilled and aged in a blend of American Virgin Oak, Bourbon, and Sherry casks.

Irish Crystal

Ireland is home to two leading crystal companies, Galway Crystal and Waterford Crystal. Both offer a beautiful range of crystal glasses and giftware featuring exquisite designs. I especially like Galway Crystal Christmas decorations.

Irish Traditional Cookbook

This new edition of Darina Allen’s bestselling Irish Traditional Cookbook contains 300 traditional dishes, including 100 new recipes such as Sea Spinach Soup, Potted Ballycotton Shrimps with Melba Toast and Rhubarb Fool. Each recipe is accompanied with tips, tales, historical insights and common Irish customs, many of which have been passed down from one generation to the next. Looking for other Irish themed cookbooks? Check out my post 10+ Best Irish Cookbooks.