1 Dairy-inspired ceramics
Fiona McLoughlin grew up on a dairy farm in Aughavas, Co Leitrim, and worked as a photographer for over 20 years. During these years, she continued to enjoy working in other creative disciplines. In recent times, her grá for ceramic design overtook everything else and led to the opening of Old Cow Clayworks in Drumshanbo before Christmas last year. Her dairy background is evident in her beautiful pieces just like the jug, (right) with cow branding (€54). Her horoscope mugs as Gaeilge would also make a gift to treasure.
See oldcowclayworks.com
A jug made by Fiona McLoughlin from Old Cow Clayworks in Co Leitrim.
2 Natural Nollaig candle
Channel eco-luxe and give the gift of the scent of Christmas, courtesy of Wizard and Grace’s Nollaig candle (€28). A delightful mix of pine, clove, cinnamon and orange essential oils, the natural candle made in Kinsale, Co Cork, will provide light and joy this festive season. The company’s luxury essential oil candles are only scented with pure aromatherapy-grade essential oils and non-GMO renewable and sustainable rapeseed and coconut wax, all packaged in beautiful compostable boxes.
See wizardandgrace.com
Wizard and Grace's Nollaig Candle.
3 The write stuff
Richard and Catherine Daly in Kells, Co Meath solve the age-old puzzle of what to gift someone who seems to have everything. After all, who could resist the allure of a meticulously fashioned writing pen, crafted from the finest Irish wood? Ballpoint and fountain pens are crafted from 5,000-year-old bog oak, oak, elm and rosewood, to mention just a few. Personalised pens and journals are also a great option. Pictured left is their Irish Bog Oak ballpoint with rhodium and titanium trim (€110).
See irishpens.ie
Irish Bog Oak ballpoint with rhodium and titanium trim (€110).
4 Knitting-inspired jewellery
Do you have a knitter or crafter to buy for this Christmas? Well, yarn-bomb your loved one with a quirky piece of handmade jewellery that is both beautiful and meaningful. From Cork’s Saw Framed, this knitting woollen ball necklace in sterling silver is a real talking point. Check out their stylish and statement jar of hearts earrings, the hydrangea ring or their papercutting rose brooch for a present to remember. Pictured is the knitting woollen ball necklace (€135).
See sawframed.com
Knitting woollen ball necklace (€135) by Saw Framed.
5 Handmade gloves
Leather gloves are an elegant, timeless gift for the gent or lady in your life. But did you know you can gift a pair made by George Horn, a third-generation master glove maker based in Dublin? Founded by George Horn in the 1940s, the company is now run by his son Brian and his grandson, Gerard. With a passion for quality, authenticity and respect for their craft, this heritage company produces the finest hand-sewn leather gloves. For ladies, standouts include the dress gloves with button detail or a classic style finished with a sheepskin cuff. Gloves start at €170.
See georgehorn.ie
Gloves by George Horn.
6 Farmyard-inspired decorations
Take a little of the farmyard inside your nursery or home with fun agri characters handstitched and embroidered by Mearnóinín, aka Valerie Burns, who is part of Wicklow Marketplace, an art, craft and creative community in the Garden County. There’s Clodagh the cow (€15), Fiadh the deer, Fin the fox, and even the blue or pink tractor, all of which would make great keepsakes for children this Christmas. Each has a loop to hang on your tree or around the house.
See wicklowmarketplace.ie
Clodagh the cow decoration (€15).
7 Soap and suds in Cork
Soap has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years due to its sustainability credentials, and it’s a natural gift that won’t break the bank. Rachel Smiddy from Sobal Soap is a small-batch soapmaker, crafting in Cork city. Her brand name Sobal (‘subble’) is the Irish word for foam or lather, and she works exclusively in the cold process tradition, an ancient soapmaking technique which naturally produces skin-nourishing glycerine and preserves the skincare qualities of the ingredients. She colours and decorates her soaps (€8) with all natural ingredients.
See corkcraftanddesign.ie or Etsy
Sobal Soap is based in Cork.
8 Donegal designs
Sarah Gallagher is the young talented designer behind the Sarah Lorraine label, which is renowned for utilitarian designs that are cosy and sustainable, using the best of natural fabrics like wool, cashmere and tweeds. From her great-grandmother’s old shop in Bunbeg, this creative is championing high-quality design and local craftsmanship to create pieces that last.
Her Made in Donegal collection is a passion project using tweed from local weavers to make each garment in her home county. Pictured: The Sarah Lorraine bespoke cape (€600).
sarahlorraine.ie
The Sarah Lorraine bespoke cape in Merino wool is €600.
9 Reuben’s Christmas adventure
Join Reuben the little green frog on a heartwarming festive adventure. When the first snowflakes fall, Reuben sets out to find Christmas, but what is Christmas, really? Is it twinkling lights, shiny presents, or something more? Julie Kennedy Fogarty’s delightful third book Reuben’s Hunt for Christmas (€11.99) is told in rhyme and filled with enchanting illustrations that will delight those aged 3 to 7 years. From the finance industry, Julie took a creative leap into the world of children’s literature from the Tipp countryside where she lives with her husband, James, who runs a dairy farm and their four young children.
juliekennedyfogarty.com
Reuben's Hunt for Christmas by Julie Kennedy Fogarty.
10 Dotterson’s Irishness
Art prints, cards and homewares with a distinctly Irish flavour is what Dotterson, a Dublin-based design and illustration studio, is all about. Founded by Sarah Patterson, the pieces she creates are vibrant and fun and showcase a myriad of colours to pack a visual punch. In other words, all of these pieces will get noticed wherever they hang.
Irishness is at the heart of Dotterson: the language, the culture, the nostalgia, and the craic. The work, like ‘Stop the Lights’ print above (€25) is layered with hand-drawn patterns and illustrations.
See dotterson.ie
Dotterson illustrations showcase Irishness.
11 Colourful and contemporary
Meet the Messy Brunette, aka Maura Bourke, who makes hand-painted wood and acrylic jewellery like these festive earrings (€35) in the Tipperary countryside.
There are collections inspired by the garden – think striking flower earrings, a robin brooch and an acorn charm necklace. For someone who likes a bolder choice, go for the Print Party Collection, which is a rainbow of colour and fun to ensure the wearer stands out from the crowd.
See themessybrunette.com
Festive earrings by The Messy Brunette.
12 Bring landscapes to life
Outcrop produces layered landscape maps so you can see your favourite place in a new way or gift someone living away from home a little piece of Ireland. It is a family business run by Sligo-based husband-and-wife team, Aran and Maeve Pudney, who both share a passion for sustainable design and creativity.
Every map is designed and made in-house with care and intention, using eco-friendly materials to honour the beautiful landscapes that inspire them. Pictured: A map made by Sligo-based outcrop (€99).
See outcrop.ie
Aran and Maeve Pudney pictured with their beautifully crafted maps.
1 Dairy-inspired ceramics
Fiona McLoughlin grew up on a dairy farm in Aughavas, Co Leitrim, and worked as a photographer for over 20 years. During these years, she continued to enjoy working in other creative disciplines. In recent times, her grá for ceramic design overtook everything else and led to the opening of Old Cow Clayworks in Drumshanbo before Christmas last year. Her dairy background is evident in her beautiful pieces just like the jug, (right) with cow branding (€54). Her horoscope mugs as Gaeilge would also make a gift to treasure.
See oldcowclayworks.com
A jug made by Fiona McLoughlin from Old Cow Clayworks in Co Leitrim.
2 Natural Nollaig candle
Channel eco-luxe and give the gift of the scent of Christmas, courtesy of Wizard and Grace’s Nollaig candle (€28). A delightful mix of pine, clove, cinnamon and orange essential oils, the natural candle made in Kinsale, Co Cork, will provide light and joy this festive season. The company’s luxury essential oil candles are only scented with pure aromatherapy-grade essential oils and non-GMO renewable and sustainable rapeseed and coconut wax, all packaged in beautiful compostable boxes.
See wizardandgrace.com
Wizard and Grace's Nollaig Candle.
3 The write stuff
Richard and Catherine Daly in Kells, Co Meath solve the age-old puzzle of what to gift someone who seems to have everything. After all, who could resist the allure of a meticulously fashioned writing pen, crafted from the finest Irish wood? Ballpoint and fountain pens are crafted from 5,000-year-old bog oak, oak, elm and rosewood, to mention just a few. Personalised pens and journals are also a great option. Pictured left is their Irish Bog Oak ballpoint with rhodium and titanium trim (€110).
See irishpens.ie
Irish Bog Oak ballpoint with rhodium and titanium trim (€110).
4 Knitting-inspired jewellery
Do you have a knitter or crafter to buy for this Christmas? Well, yarn-bomb your loved one with a quirky piece of handmade jewellery that is both beautiful and meaningful. From Cork’s Saw Framed, this knitting woollen ball necklace in sterling silver is a real talking point. Check out their stylish and statement jar of hearts earrings, the hydrangea ring or their papercutting rose brooch for a present to remember. Pictured is the knitting woollen ball necklace (€135).
See sawframed.com
Knitting woollen ball necklace (€135) by Saw Framed.
5 Handmade gloves
Leather gloves are an elegant, timeless gift for the gent or lady in your life. But did you know you can gift a pair made by George Horn, a third-generation master glove maker based in Dublin? Founded by George Horn in the 1940s, the company is now run by his son Brian and his grandson, Gerard. With a passion for quality, authenticity and respect for their craft, this heritage company produces the finest hand-sewn leather gloves. For ladies, standouts include the dress gloves with button detail or a classic style finished with a sheepskin cuff. Gloves start at €170.
See georgehorn.ie
Gloves by George Horn.
6 Farmyard-inspired decorations
Take a little of the farmyard inside your nursery or home with fun agri characters handstitched and embroidered by Mearnóinín, aka Valerie Burns, who is part of Wicklow Marketplace, an art, craft and creative community in the Garden County. There’s Clodagh the cow (€15), Fiadh the deer, Fin the fox, and even the blue or pink tractor, all of which would make great keepsakes for children this Christmas. Each has a loop to hang on your tree or around the house.
See wicklowmarketplace.ie
Clodagh the cow decoration (€15).
7 Soap and suds in Cork
Soap has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years due to its sustainability credentials, and it’s a natural gift that won’t break the bank. Rachel Smiddy from Sobal Soap is a small-batch soapmaker, crafting in Cork city. Her brand name Sobal (‘subble’) is the Irish word for foam or lather, and she works exclusively in the cold process tradition, an ancient soapmaking technique which naturally produces skin-nourishing glycerine and preserves the skincare qualities of the ingredients. She colours and decorates her soaps (€8) with all natural ingredients.
See corkcraftanddesign.ie or Etsy
Sobal Soap is based in Cork.
8 Donegal designs
Sarah Gallagher is the young talented designer behind the Sarah Lorraine label, which is renowned for utilitarian designs that are cosy and sustainable, using the best of natural fabrics like wool, cashmere and tweeds. From her great-grandmother’s old shop in Bunbeg, this creative is championing high-quality design and local craftsmanship to create pieces that last.
Her Made in Donegal collection is a passion project using tweed from local weavers to make each garment in her home county. Pictured: The Sarah Lorraine bespoke cape (€600).
sarahlorraine.ie
The Sarah Lorraine bespoke cape in Merino wool is €600.
9 Reuben’s Christmas adventure
Join Reuben the little green frog on a heartwarming festive adventure. When the first snowflakes fall, Reuben sets out to find Christmas, but what is Christmas, really? Is it twinkling lights, shiny presents, or something more? Julie Kennedy Fogarty’s delightful third book Reuben’s Hunt for Christmas (€11.99) is told in rhyme and filled with enchanting illustrations that will delight those aged 3 to 7 years. From the finance industry, Julie took a creative leap into the world of children’s literature from the Tipp countryside where she lives with her husband, James, who runs a dairy farm and their four young children.
juliekennedyfogarty.com
Reuben's Hunt for Christmas by Julie Kennedy Fogarty.
10 Dotterson’s Irishness
Art prints, cards and homewares with a distinctly Irish flavour is what Dotterson, a Dublin-based design and illustration studio, is all about. Founded by Sarah Patterson, the pieces she creates are vibrant and fun and showcase a myriad of colours to pack a visual punch. In other words, all of these pieces will get noticed wherever they hang.
Irishness is at the heart of Dotterson: the language, the culture, the nostalgia, and the craic. The work, like ‘Stop the Lights’ print above (€25) is layered with hand-drawn patterns and illustrations.
See dotterson.ie
Dotterson illustrations showcase Irishness.
11 Colourful and contemporary
Meet the Messy Brunette, aka Maura Bourke, who makes hand-painted wood and acrylic jewellery like these festive earrings (€35) in the Tipperary countryside.
There are collections inspired by the garden – think striking flower earrings, a robin brooch and an acorn charm necklace. For someone who likes a bolder choice, go for the Print Party Collection, which is a rainbow of colour and fun to ensure the wearer stands out from the crowd.
See themessybrunette.com
Festive earrings by The Messy Brunette.
12 Bring landscapes to life
Outcrop produces layered landscape maps so you can see your favourite place in a new way or gift someone living away from home a little piece of Ireland. It is a family business run by Sligo-based husband-and-wife team, Aran and Maeve Pudney, who both share a passion for sustainable design and creativity.
Every map is designed and made in-house with care and intention, using eco-friendly materials to honour the beautiful landscapes that inspire them. Pictured: A map made by Sligo-based outcrop (€99).
See outcrop.ie
Aran and Maeve Pudney pictured with their beautifully crafted maps.
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