Seeing as how Pricewatch is always banging on about the need to shop early and shop local, we thought we’d better publish our list of excellent Irish-based retailers doing the business online a couple of weeks earlier this year. So you’ve no excuse not to get yourself sorted well in advance of Christmas.
Check out the full list of 101 of the best Irish websites to buy gifts from this Christmas for more.
Food and drink
The oldest smokehouse in Connemara, with “a taste as wild and enchanting as the West of Ireland’s rugged coastline”. You will find organic smoked salmon, wild peppered smoked mackerel and smoked tuna.
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The Hedermans’ business turned 40 and recently won the Walter Scheel Medaille, a prestigious European award recognising outstanding service to the preservation of European culinary tradition. You will find hot and cold smoked salmon, and plenty more.
Looking for a foodie’s present? You’ll not go wrong with the cheesiest hampers in Ireland.
Sheridan’s might be the big cheese, but it’s not the only one, and this site has a gorgeous-looking range for sale.
If you want a dozen oysters delivered to your (or someone else’s) door, then these Sligo folk will see you right. They also sell wines, champagnes and other treats.
Some of the finest fudge in the country comes from an island off the west coast. There are up to 20 flavours to choose from.
“From jams and preserves to our delicious gingerbread men, all our food items are handmade in our Galway bakery,” the site says. And there’s more: “When you buy a Gourmet Tart hamper you are directly supporting 70 local jobs”.
This family business from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford is a social enterprise, which sets it apart for a start. It encourages Irish food producers, growers and cottage industries to sell and export, and its motto is: “If it’s not grown, raised, produced, or caught on Irish-registered trawlers, it will not be sold on our site.”
The Kerry home of the fanciest whiskeys, gins and vodkas also has some swanky merch available.
The Cork home of a small-scale producer that sells whiskeys, gins and vodkas as well as a range of glassware and accessories.
Ireland’s sixth-century monks would, we like to think, be delighted to learn that there is a poitín being sold under their name now. The place also sells whiskey and gin.
Another Irish distiller with a range of gins and whiskeys as well as some nice gifts.
Lovely chocolate, made to look beautiful in the Burren. It sells year-round chocolates and festive fancies.
Grá from Galway continues to go from strength to strength. Its chocolates are made with ethically sourced Valrhona Chocolate, Casa Luker cocoa butter and Irish cream and butter. It’s created in small batches, with each chocolate taking three days to make.
“Christmas has arrived,” the Butler’s site said last week. While suggesting Christmas has arrived on October 31st might be a stretch, we’ll forgive them as they have some excellent – and very festive – chocolates.
Caboose brings many of the best Irish artisan food producers together in one place.
