It wouldn’t be a Father’s Day gift guide without a pair of socks, but these Full Irish socks (€9) by the Irish Sockciety are the perfect present for the breakfast chef in your house. The colourful socks are designed by best friends Alex and Joanna in Galway, and there are designs to fit every Irish niche and humour. They are available in independent retailers around the country, but also on irishsockciety.com
To play the long game, start your dad on a collection of Blasta Books cookbooks (€15 each). Tacos by Lily Ramirez-Foran and Hot Fat by GastroGays are on shelves now, but United Nations of Cookies by Jess Murphy and Eoin Cluskey and Wok by Kwanghi Chan aren’t set for release until August and November, respectively. By the time Father’s Day, his birthday, and Christmas have come around, he’ll have the full set. The books take an inclusive snapshot of Ireland’s modern and diverse food culture, and are great as standalone books but also make for a delectable series.
If your dad is a caffeine fanatic who appreciates a weekend brew, Loaf Pottery’s coffee set is a gift that will also give back, as all profits from Loaf Pottery are reinvested into the work of the NOW Group, a social enterprise that supports people with learning difficulties and autism into jobs with a future.
Their Father’s Day package (€31) includes a coffee mug (available in five colours) and a bag of freshly ground coffee. If he’s more of a tea fiend and won’t need the coffee, individual mugs are available for €21 each, or five for €106. See loafcatering.com
And for the days where a hot drink won’t cut it, gift him award-winning whiskey from Teeling Distillery. Honoured with the title of “World’s Best Single Pot Still’’ at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards, the Wonders of Wood Teeling Single Pot Still Whiskey (€80) has been triple distilled and fully matured in white oak barrels.
Made with a 50:50 ratio of malted and un-malted barley, it’s got a vibrant and unique taste. Plus, each bottle in the Wonders of Wood series bought allows Teelings to continue a partnership with The Tree Council of Ireland, wherein native Irish trees are planted in Wicklow. Bottles are available both in-store in Teelings Distillery in Dublin’s Liberties, Celtic Whiskey Shop, The Whiskey Exchange or Master of Malt and online at teelingdistillery.com/shop, where shipping is free for purchases over €100.
Sustainability isn’t just important in women’s beauty, and designist’s eco-shaving safety razor set (€60) will mean a kinder shave for both Dad and the planet. Each set comes with shaving soap, a vegan friendly shaving brush, extra blades and the ingenious blade bin, meaning you can safely dispose of your blades as they blunt. Safety razors are designed to get a much closer shave and as they are less likely to cause irritation, they leave skin smooth at the same time. These are ideal for the beardy dad, and the perfect excuse to ditch that old, blunt razor in the bathroom cupboard. Shop.designist.ie
Gifting premium Irish skincare brand Green Angel’s Father’s Day gift set (€32) will wow your dad with your financial planning, since the set will save you over 30%. It comes with three natural skin and body essentials that harness the power of Irish seaweed, including the new Seaweed Muscle and Joint Gel that will soothe sore muscles after even the most strenuous workout. Everything is wrapped up in a luxury carry bag that’s perfect for summer staycations, the gym, or the clubhouse. Available at greenangel.com, or in-store at local retail stockists, including pharmacies and leading department stores Avoca and Dunnes Stores.
Lab Series’ All-in-One is a great set for any skincare-phobic fathers, who have little interest in the retinoids and acids in their wife’s bag but still need facial TLC now and then. The set (€30) includes two hard-working products; a face wash to cleanse, purify and exfoliate, and a face treatment for moisturisation and repair. Lab Series’ ethos is to create skincare that is accessible for the busiest (and most reluctant) users. And what better way to describe a dad? Available at Brown Thomas.
Whether your father is out on the golf course, the farm, or in the stands at the match, chances are he’ll often find himself at the mercy of Irish weather. A practical and thoughtful gift, then, is a decent rain jacket, one that looks good too. Ember & Earth is an Irish company that makes rain jackets that are timeless and classic – just like dad.
They are windproof and waterproof, with adjustable cuffs for when the rain is really pouring down. In addition to the soft outer layer, each jacket comes with a sleek cotton inner lining and ventilation holes under the arms to ensure breathability. Buy online at emberandearth.com from €129.
If he’s fond of a hill walk, or tends to be out and about for hours on end, a good thermos to keep tea and coffee warm could make his day.
Mother Reusables are renowned for their water bottles, but their coffee thermoses (€35) are double-walled, meaning they’ll keep his drink warm for hours, no matter how many hills are conquered or holes are putted. They are designed in Ireland, and are also great sustainable options for the next time you and dad grab a cappuccino to go. motherrreusables.com
If he’s an avid reader, a gift voucher for either one of the bigger chains like Eason or his local independent retailer will have him restocking the bookshelf in no time, whether dad is a fiction fiend or a non-fiction purist.
For the always-building dad with a never-ending list of home improvements, a multitool can spare him from lugging his toolbox around. The Dremel electric multi-tool kit (€77.95) is great for all of the fiddly jobs that need more precision. It comes with a 25-piece accessory set, a tool holder you can fit to the wall, and everything is packed away in a neat case. Available on screwfix.ie
To keep warm on summer evenings spent exploring, and sure to remain a firm favourite right into the autumn, this half-zip jumper (€109) from IrelandsEye is made with 100% Merino wool. It’s a classic wardrobe staple, no matter his style, entirely designed and hand crafted right here in Ireland.
Available at irelandseyeknitwear.com or in-store in Kilkenny Shop or Blarney Woollen Mills.
For many fathers, actions speak louder than words, or in this case, things. Consider a charity that would be close to his heart and donate on his behalf. Wolfgang Reforest is on a mission to reforest the Irish wilderness, and have options for you to buy a single tree (€20) right up to a dozen (€240) trees in the name of someone you love. Wolfgangreforest.ie