Gift the perfect present this year with a handcrafted piece of pottery, jewellery, crystal or clothing from the master crafts people of Ireland.
From traditional Aran knitwear, Belleek pottery, Waterford Crystal and Donegal tweed, to elegant contemporary jewellery, vibrant homeware and original artwork, Ireland has a range of gifts that will delight this Christmas, and which can easily be sourced online.
The quality of Waterford Crystal is appreciated the world over. Created by the talent of master craftsmen, these beautiful crystal pieces – from glasses to vases, jewellery to home décor – make wonderful presents that will be cherished forever.
Belleek Pottery is also an enduring favourite. The fine Parian china has been made in County Fermanagh since 1857 and is prized by collectors all over the world.
Gorgeous scarves, throws and clothing in luxurious cashmere, merino, silk and linen are available from Avoca, a mill in County Wicklow that has operated for almost 300 years and where weaving skills have been passed down through generations.
Bearded Candle Makers make wonderful hand poured candles that capture the scents of Ireland’s landscape. Their Real Turf Fire soy candle is described as a ‘woolly hug in a tin’, while the Mourne Mountain Heather candle delivers the fragrance of shrubs, wild flowers and berries from the mountainside.
Indeed, Northern Ireland’s majestic Mourne Mountains have inspired many crafts people and at Made in Mourne you can discover a range of great gifts including ceramic mugs, prints, jewellery, T-shirts and calendars.
Or why not send the gift of Ireland’s beauty in the form of an original painting or print? You can find wonderful examples at Ireland Art, an online gallery selling original art at affordable prices, and at the Jam Art Factory, which showcases the work of the island’s talented emerging artists.
An extensive collection of Irish craft products can be found at Irish Crafts, which brings together the work of individual designers as well as established businesses.
Here you can find Aran jumpers, the quintessentially Irish chunky knits that originated from the rugged Aran Islands on Ireland’s beautiful Wild Atlantic Way, among a range of clothing.
The online store also has handcrafted contemporary jewellery from a number of leading designers including Kieran Cunningham, Rowena Sheen and Garrett Mallon.
And to make finding the perfect gift even easier, the store offers gift boxes and hampers filled with gorgeous goods from the island of Ireland.
www.ireland.com
