sustainable-gifts-from-ireland

Wherever you visit in Ireland, you will see lots of gorgeous crafts and products that you’ll want to take home, either as souvenirs or as gifts for friends or family. Rather than buying mass-produced novelty items, look out for unique gifts with stories behind them.

With a little planning, you can find sustainable gifts made with a low carbon footprint that will last for many years. We’ve put together a list of ten of our favourite sustainable gifts you can buy while on holidays here: 

The local hills and bogs of Donegal provide the inspiration for Bogman Beanies – hand-knitted beanie hats and warm woolly clothing made with 100% Donegal Tweed yarn, a soft wool which is locally spun and dyed.

Founder Anna Campbell, who handknits each item, says that treks up to the local bog in summer inspire the products. “The bog is really beautiful, the sound of the skylarks, the bog cotton in the breeze, the heather coming out and the dark colours of the turf against the bright colours of the blue sky,” she says.

All materials are ethically sourced, and there are no man-made fibres used in the cosy cardigans, socks, and sweaters, many based on traditional styles worn by local farmers and fishermen. “Wool is so much kinder than the skin than acrylic, it helps the skin to breathe” says Anna.

Check out the colourful ceramics and textiles from Arran St East, a pottery and weaving studio in Dublin and Schull, Co Cork.

Choose geometric-patterned throws and cushions made with Donegal yarn, or hand-thrown stoneware mugs, candles, and vases. Sustainability is at the heart of the operation, with carbon neutral and eco-friendly methods, materials and packaging used where possible.

Arran St was the first pottery in Ireland to sign the SME Climate Hub’s climate commitment, which is recognised by the UN Race to Zero campaign. You can also make your own gift at a pottery or weaving workshop.