Looking for an Irish gift to give this Christmas? The folks at The Irish Workshop, a new online platform showcasing the work of 100+ talented Irish makers, artists and craftspeople, have put together a Christmas gift guide for some inspiration.
Turf fires
The comforting smell of a real turf fire is magically captured in a scented candle by Belfast’s Bearded Candle Maker. This is a perfect little gift for people living far from the bogs of Ireland so they can recreate the smell of Ireland over the Christmas holidays. Oh and they have a ‘Midnight Mass’ scented candle too.
Myths and legends
Irish textile designer, Dúinn Designs, has paid tribute to Ireland’s rich folklore in their Queen Meabh silk scarf. The design is inspired by the legendary Queen of Connaught who insisted on equality of wealth in her marriage and who started the Cattle Raid of Cooley when she discovered that her husband was one stud bull richer than her! These scarves are also very popular with fans of the Chicago Bulls.
Growing home
The designs of jewelry designer, Tracy Gilbert, are bursting with meaning in the subtlest of ways. Take her ‘Growing Home’ pendant: the design is of a beautiful tree of life, but when you turn the pendant on its side, you’ll see that the crown of the tree transforms into a map of Ireland. Genius and gorgeous! It comes in green (pictured), blue or plain silver. All pieces are hallmarked in the Assay Office in Dublin Castle.
Dublin street scenes and pubs
Chris McMorrow is a self-taught Irish artist whose atmospheric and vibrant paintings have earned him much acclaim. He paints cityscapes, wonderfully capturing the likes of Trinity College Dublin, the bustle of Grafton Street and the GPO. He also has painted 20+ of Dublin’s favorite drinking haunts including Kehoe’s Pub, Temple Bar Pub, and Doheny & Nesbitts Pub. His paintings come framed; a piece of Ireland ready to be hung on walls across the world.
100 years in the making
A new Irish jewelry brand, Terrible Beauty, launched a collection that was based on Ireland’s 1916 Rising including a set of men’s cufflinks that replicate a snippet of the Irish Proclamation. They have 15% off their cufflinks until Dec 10th. Be quick!
Wrap up in style
Áine Knitwear, an award-winning design house based in County Clare, has turned our idea of Irish knitwear – and indeed Aran knitwear - on its head. Their designs are contemporary yet hold onto much of the stitching and techniques of old. This is Irish Knitwear as you’ve never seen. And it’s fabulously warm too!
All these gifts can be purchased tax-free from TheIrishWorkshop.com, and can be shipped worldwide in time for Christmas.
Visit The Irish Workshop here.