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Emerald by name, emerald by nature, Ireland may be small, but there’s a reason so many travelers flock to this enchanting island nation. Full of energy, exuding charm and rich in heritage, Ireland is a tale of two countries. What they both have in common, is millennia of shared Celtic history, staggering natural beauty and cities which can rival any to be the life and soul of the party.
From the crowded pubs of Temple Bar to the rugged cliffs of the Wild Atlantic and Causeway coasts, Ireland packs a rich cultural heritage, surprisingly eclectic food scene and small towns with more character than many big name cities.
Whether you’re indulging in a Guinness-centric weekend in Dublin or taking a couple of weeks to explore everything Ireland has to offer, the chances are you’ll be looking for a memento or two to keep the trip alive when you return home. Like most things in Ireland, you’ll be spoiled for choice. From stout or whiskey infused sweet treats to handmade jewelry and knitwear, we’ve brought together our favorite souvenirs from Ireland.
Irish Food & Drinks
Irish Chocolate
Call me lazy, but whenever I return from a trip, I’m invariably weighed down by a suitcase packed with chocolates purchased as presents for friends and family. In reality, about 50% of said chocolate makes it to the gifting stage, but as we’re always told, it’s the thought that counts. The crux of the story, though, is that wherever you go in the world, chocolate is always a safe souvenir to take back from your travels, be it for you or a present for those at home. It’s especially handy if you’re on a long-haul trip as chocolate travels well and rarely needs to be declared at customs.
Ireland may not be particularly famous for its chocolate when compared to some other European countries, namely Belgium and Switzerland, but Irish chocolate is excellent. More British than American in taste, chocolate in Ireland comes in all shapes, sizes and flavors.
The big names in Irish chocolate are Dublin-based Butlers, Lily O’Brien’s and, for handmade chocolates, Wilde. English confectionary giant Cadbury have their own Irish division, and it’s well worth trying some of their Ireland-only Dairy Milk flavors. Mint Crisp and Golden Crisp had me addicted at first bite.
Where to buy chocolate in ireland
Another reason chocolate is one of the best souvenirs from Ireland to grab before you leave is that it’s so easy to find. Wherever you are in the Emerald Isle, everywhere from gift shops to convenience stores stock chocolate. If you leave souvenir shopping to the last minute, you can always pick some up at the airport.
That said, there are a few chocolate hotspots for a more indulgent shopping experience. If you’re in Dublin, I always recommend Butlers as the place to go for chocolate made in the city. In the west of Ireland, I love the Wilde shop in Limerick. Their factory in County Clare is also open to visitors.
Irish Whiskey
Always with an “e”, spelling is not the only difference between Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky. For want of not being ostracized from my Scottish home or banned from Ireland, I’ll refrain from taking sides. In a nutshell, Scotch tends to be smokier and fuller-bodied than Irish, which is smoother and lighter. If you’re a whisky novice, Irish is generally the easiest to drink.
There are 69 distilleries dotted around Ireland. The most famous are Jameson, Tullamore, Teeling and Bushmills, all of which are readily available the world over. As much as a bottle is one of the best souvenirs from Ireland, it’s well worth taking a distillery tour whilst you’re there. In Dublin, Jameson offer multiple tours a day.
Travel tip: Dublin’s two most iconic drinks are produced within walking distance of each other. Once you’ve taken a tour of the Jameson distillery, hop across the Liffey for a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Whilst you’re there, you’ll find another of the best souvenirs from Ireland: all things Guinness. The Storehouse shop sells plenty of beer, but they also have confectionary, glasses and clothing.
Where to buy irish whiskey
If you get the chance to do a distillery tour, it makes sense to pick up a bottle or two at the end. If you want to take multiple whiskeys home as souvenirs or gifts (do check customs regulations before purchasing), there are numerous whiskey specialists around. In Dublin, Celtic Whiskey Shop is my top recommendation. They offer shipping to international destinations, including most U.S. states, so you won’t have to worry about the excess baggage.
Irish Cream Liqueur
There can be no argument, Irish Cream is the greatest drink ever invented. Convince me otherwise. A wildly unhealthy mixture of Irish whiskey and cream with hints of chocolate and vanilla, it tastes like a milkshake and is alarmingly drinkable.
Just as Irish Cream is the best liqueur going, the best of the best is Baileys. To me, Baileys is synonymous with Christmas. Cracking open a bottle or three on Christmas Eve has become something of a family tradition to mark the start of the festivities.
The creation of Dublin-based Gilbeys in 1974, there are few corners of the world you won’t find it these days. Best consumed on the rocks, it’s the cornerstone of numerous cocktails, found in many an Irish coffee and has inspired a spin off range of chocolates, cakes and desserts.
Where to buy irish cream liqueur
Just as chocolate and whiskey aren’t hard to find, Baileys is available in gift shops, supermarkets and off-licences all over Ireland and beyond. If you’re in Dublin and fancy trying some of the best Baileys infused cocktails going, speakeasy-style Vintage Cocktail Club is the place to go.
Celtic Classics
Celtic Jewelry
One of Ireland’s biggest draws is how it preserves and celebrates age-old Celtic traditions. From folklore to traditional music and Dublin’s famous Celtic Night dinner shows, Ireland’s Celtic heritage is something you encounter time and time again during your stay. Being able to take a piece of that home with you, makes Celtic jewelry one of the best souvenirs from Ireland as well as one of the most unique.
Possibly the most iconic piece of Celtic jewelry you’ll come across is a Claddagh ring. Named after the Galway village of Claddagh from where they originate, the rings were first produced in the 17th century. Whilst they were originally designed as engagement and wedding rings, modern rings are worn mainly for their appearance.
where to buy jewelry in ireland
There are jewelry shops in all major Irish towns and cities; the majority will stock Claddagh rings. Most visitor attractions offer costume jewelry versions too. But for a more personal experience, you can make your own. Claddagh ring forging sessions run every day in Dublin. If your trip takes you to Galway, it’s well worth taking a tour which includes the Claddagh Ring Museum.
Irish Literature
Ireland has given us some of the finest works of literature to date. James Joyce’s Ulysses stretches one day in Dublin to a staggering 265,000 words, Jonathan Swift takes us on a voyage to fictional corners of the globe in Gulliver’s Travels and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest made the question “in a handbag?” a household saying. Coupled with the poetic masterminds that were Seamus Heaney and W.B. Yeats, Ireland’s list of literary geniuses is a long one indeed.
There’s plenty of excellent works written about Ireland too. Whenever I travel, I always try to take a book which bears some connection to my destination. My top suggestions to accompany you on an Irish adventure are Tony Hawk’s hilarious travelogue Round Ireland with a Fridge and, for fiction lovers, Sally Rooney’s Normal People.
Where to find irish literature
One spot in Dublin that every literature lover simply has to visit is the Old Library at Trinity College. Take a tour combined with entrance to the Book of Kells Experience. When it comes to buying some reading material for the road and as a souvenir from Ireland to keep forever, your options are endless.
My favorite bookstore in Dublin is Chapters. You’ll find it on Parnell Street which crosses O’Connell Street Upper. Chapters is Ireland’s largest independent bookstore and sells both new and second hand editions. For somewhere with a focus on Irish literature, The Gutter is another great option.
Irish Music
Ironically, the best known modern Irish folksong, Galway Girl, was actually written by American country singer Steve Earle. In his defence, Irish folk musician Sharon Shannon does feature on the track and it is produced in the style of a traditional Irish folksong. Don’t confuse it with Ed Sheeran’s song of the same name; there’s nothing Irish about it as good as a song as it may be.
Traditional Irish folk predates both Galway Girl’s by several centuries. When Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1922, folk music made a resurgence. Its characterised by lively jigs and upbeat tunes and features traditional instruments such as the bodhran (a type of drum), fiddle and tin whistle.
If folk music isn’t your thing, Irish musicians have left their mark on pop music too. The Cranberries, The Corrs, Westlife and U2 are Ireland’s most famous bands. English rock group The Pogues, fronted by Shane MacGowan and best known for their Christmas ballad Fairytale of New York, were notable for fusing traditional Irish music with punk rock.
Where to buy irish Music
Gift shops at any major attraction are always a good place to pick up a traditional folk CD to take with you as souvenirs from Ireland. For those who love browsing through CDs for a touch of nostalgia, Tower Records on O’Connell Street is the place to go.
A highlight of any visit to the Emerald Isle is catching a live Irish music performance. Whichever city you find yourself in, it won’t be hard to find a pub with live music. The Merry Ploughboy in Dublin does a great Irish show. In Galway, Trad on the Prom is the show to catch.
Regional Specialties
Waterford Crystal
Crystal has been being produced in Waterford since 1783. Several bankruptcies and revivals later, the current incarnation of Waterford Crystal has been making glassware for over 79 years. Their masterpieces have included chandeliers which hung in Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle and the Kennedy Center.
As wonderful as their chandeliers are, classing them as souvenirs from Ireland may be going a bit far. What are some the best souvenirs from Ireland, however, are Waterford’s glasses, champagne flutes, cocktail shakers and decanters. They also produce a range of homeware which features bowls, clocks, vases and tableware.
where to buy waterford crystal
The best place to get yourself some Waterford Crystal is House of Waterford at the factory itself. Along with a shop and café, they also offer factory tours. If you’re based in Dublin for your stay in Ireland, you can take a day tour to Waterford with a factory tour included.
Aran Jumpers
Produced on the Aran Islands on western Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast, Aran jumpers (interchangeably referred to as sweaters) are designed to withstand the islands’ harsh climate. Thick and warm, they’re made from undyed wool. Historically, the wool used in producing Aran jumpers was unscoured meaning it retained its natural oils and therefore served as a waterproof. If you visit the Aran Islands on a bad day, you’ll see just how important suitable clothing is!
The patterns on Aran jumpers aren’t just for show. When they originated in the 19th century, the jumpers were handknitted by Aran fishermen’s wives, each of whom knitted a unique pattern. According to local legend, they did this to make it easier to identify their husband should he be lost at sea.
where to buy aran Jumpers
If you want to pick up one of these unique souvenirs from Ireland from their authentic home, you’ll need to head for the Aran Islands. Ferries depart from Galway, or you can fly from Connemara Regional Airport which offers bus transfers from Galway.
If you don’t have time to visit the islands for yourself (they’re well worth visiting, and not just for the knitwear), the good news is the Aran Sweater Market has expanded across Ireland. They now have locations in Dublin, Galway and Killarney.
Connemara Marble
Sometimes called Irish Green, Connemara Marble is a very rare form of marble, making it one of the best souvenirs from Ireland. This distinctive green marble is only found in Connemara, on the west coast, having been formed there over 400 million years ago.
The marble has featured in several notable buildings, including the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg, but when it comes to buying great souvenirs from Ireland, you’ll probably be more interested in things you can pack in your luggage. Connemara Marble is used to make jewelry, including Claddagh rings, so you can tick of two souvenirs from Ireland at once. It’s also used to create whiskey stones, coasters and home decorations of all shapes and sizes.
Where to find connemara marble
The best place to get your hands on some marble is the Connemara Marble Visitor Centre in Moycullen, County Galway. Cottage Handcrafts in Moyard is another great spot to shop for Connemara Marble.
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