For now you can’t go to Ireland, but Ireland can still go to you via the wonderful food, drink and artisan crafts that you can source online.
The island of Ireland has an international reputation for its excellent artisan food, drink and crafts, and although travel is currently curtailed, you can still treat yourself to some Irish specialities by shopping online.
Why not raid the Great Northern Larder, for example, and fill your cupboards with sauces that are made with Irish apple cider vinegar for a really special tang and deep flavour?
Or get a flavour of the famous lunar landscape of the Burren area in County Clare, a distinguished food destination, with a Burren Basket that includes smoked Irish organic salmon, St Tola Irish goat cheese, gouda from Aillwee Cave, black and white pudding and delicious beetroot chutney.
You could introduce your taste buds to the innovative Irish Black Butter, a rich, dairy-free and versatile apple butter made in County Antrim from Armagh Bramley apples, cider, brandy and spices.
And of course you can still have some of the world’s finest whiskeys delivered straight to your door. If you haven’t tried the famous Teeling whiskey yet, the Teeling Trinity Pack lets you taste its popular small batch, single grain and single malt varieties.
Although famous for its whiskeys, Ireland’s traditional spirit is poitín (pronounced ‘potcheen’), made from potatoes, malted barley and sugar beet, which dates back to the sixth century. If you want to give it a go, there’s no better place to start than with the award-winning Bán Poitín from Northern Ireland’s Echlinville Distillery.
Maybe you’d like to fill your home with the scents of the Irish countryside. Dublin based Rathbornes – the oldest candle makers in the world, established in 1488 – sells wonderful luxury candles such as its Dublin Tea Rose candle which captures the scent of field roses that grow wild across Ireland.
Perhaps you prefer to connect with Ireland through its artisan jewellery, in which case you’ll find the choice is sparkling.
Lovers of contemporary styles should check out Bláithín Ennis. Incorporating simple, traditional techniques inspired by the coastal beauty of Ireland’s Ancient East, the jewellery is beautiful and unique.
Or follow in the footsteps of Game of Thrones’® characters and treat yourself to a piece from The Steensons. Makers of the crowns and pendants worn by Cersei, Joffery, Sansa and Margaery in the blockbuster series, Steensons’ bold and innovative styles make their jewellery sought after around the world.
www.ireland.com
