souvenirs

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

souvenirs

Irisheyes · Senior Member

I think that they are. You can order one online even, and wear it to Ireland.

Mark D · Senior Member

One of my favorite things I brought back from Ireland was a bodhran from Roundstone. It is a very well crafted drum, and it is beautifully hand painted. Looks great on my office wall when I am not playing it !

Also, I brought back tons of tea !!!. Takes up very little room when taken out of the boxes. I brought along a few of those large ziploc bags, and was able to bring back lots of goodies !

Connemara Marble is also a fine souvenir. But I still think the tons of pictures and memories where my favorite !

Maggie L · Senior Member

Aran sweaters are everywhere in Ireland! (In fact, you get kind of tired of seeing them) Quality varies, as does price, but you won't have any trouble finding them.

Souvenirs I've liked:

a handknit hat & muffler from a street vendor at the Galway Arts Festival
some stones and seashells from different areas of the coast (I took little baggies with me)
tin whistles for my grandkids (and one for me, too!)
Irish lace and linen hankies for a bride-to-be and her mom
a couple little Connemara marble objects
a handwoven throw from Muckross House
some postcards and notecards to supplement my own photos (it was hard to choose because they have so many terrific pictures to choose from)
a bottle of Inis cologne (a last-minute splurge on the Aer Lingus return flight )

That's from two trips, so you can see I don't buy a lot of souvenirs nor do I spend a lot of money on them. I did pick up lots of flyers and business cards from various artists and shops; most of them have websites and I figured I could order stuff later from home if I decided I really wanted something.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Irisheyesrdreaming,

Good answers so far. You can get Aran sweaters from 20 euro (on sale) up to 300 + euro. It depends on whether you want a machine made item or a genuine hand made Irish wool sweater.

I will add to what the others have already said:

Belleek China

Irish crystal

Jewelry

Books

Pottery

Knitware

Chocolates

Whiskey

There are lots of unique things to purchase. Have fun shopping!

Michele

Dude · Guru

And don't forget the carved bogwood items, something you won't find anywhere else. I have a harp, and brought both my pastors Celtic crosses. From my first trip I brought a carved cat to an elderly friend who loves cats and does woodworking.

For the friends you want to take an inexpensive souvenir to, look for little round gold lapel pins with a "shamrock under glass." Something I brought back years ago and couldn't find the next trips was a salt and pepper set, one a castle and one a cottage. I was disappointed that they didn't seem to be available later.

How about a piece of ogham jewelry, with your very own name in stick letters? I got one for each of my granddaughters from Brian de Staic of Killarney. I also have a ring that says, "Is d'éirinn mé" on the outside, and "I am of Ireland" on the inside. I got mine via mail order, but we found them in Galway, at Galway Crystal if I'm not mistaken.

If you are going to buy anything heavy (my Waterford church come to mind) either have it shipped or buy it from the duty free shop on the way home! You will get mightily tired of lugging it all over creation.

-- Edited by Dude at 00:24, 2006-02-14

Green Dragon · Guru

One of my favorite souvenirs was a wonderfully warm angora wool shawl in forest greens... I got it 10 years ago and I love it still!

I also got a little sheep made from Irish wool... he's so cute!!!! His head and feet are wooden, the rest is bushy wool.

A brass bookmark with knotwork from the book of Kells was another.

I'm not big on china or crystal (I am clumsy, and would break them!) so I go for the softer or more durable stuff :P

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Thanks once again forum and Michele for coming through with such good answers. The bodhran sounds wonderful for my musical brother and the carved bogwood sounds great too.All the suggestions sound excellant and I can't wait till September. Is the bogwood available just about anywhere? Thanks again!

Dude · Guru

I can't believe that it has been nearly 3 years since my last trip (time for another, obviously) so we are relying on my leaky memory, but I think the bogwood bits are available where there are nicer souvenirs. I cannot for the life of me remember where I got those--no, wait--I think it was in a small shop in--Galway?Killarney? I am remembering the shop, but not the city. Any road, you shouldn't have any trouble finding some.And it's not terribly expensive, but unique.

Now here's an idea--why don't I go along with you and help you look? It won't take me any time to pack.

oopsy · Senior Member

I've only been to Ireland once, so again, limited experience. BUT, my favorite--by far--is a tweed blanket purchased in Ardara. I'm wrapped in it now. We would have loved to have purchased some more wood and jewelry art, but it was out of our budget. I hope to buy lace this year.

Andi · Senior Member

If you're going to the Burren, it's fun to visit the Burren Perfumery and purchase products from them. You can get an interesting overview of how the scents are made, too. You can also buy the perfumes in a few other places around Ireland.

I've also enjoyed buying copies of vintage prints and woodcuts from the old Irish Cuala Press, often with subjects from Williams Yeats poems.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Thanks to everyone for their great suggestions. Keep in mind that if you spot something you really want, buy it then and there. Many times you will not see the exact item again.

Michele

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Aaaagh! I am so excited to shop in Ireland now I really can't wait to go! Thank you so much for all your tips people...I am just astounded at how everybody who loves Ireland as I do has come through with so many wonderful suggestions!!!! OH, I really can't wait to go!!!!!!!!

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

And Dude...I would love you to come there with me and my friend and show us the ropes!!!

Irisheyes · Senior Member

If you like dolls or collect them - my dad brought me one back from his trip. She's beautiful - red hair, wool sweater and hat and little tweed/wool skirt and black boots. It came on a stand and she's about 8 inches or so. She has a necklace that spells out Ireland too and of course, red hair.

Dude · Guru

Deborah, I'm going home to pack!

GARYVOL · Veteran Member

My favorite was buying a necktie displaying (made of) the Book of Kells symbols. Following our visit to the Book of Kells in Dublin, I recognized it on display at the Blarney woolen mills in Bunratty.

Okay, I also love to wear my donegal hat I bought at the Shannon airport shop.

-gary

murphybridget · Veteran Member

Your bodhran from Roundstone sounds like a beautiful addition to your office, both visually and musically! Bringing back tons of tea in ziploc bags was a smart move to save space. Connemara Marble must be a unique souvenir too. But ultimately, it's the memories and photos that are the most cherished from your trip to Ireland!