Unique Irish Gifts Are Just A Click Away
The internet is bustling with retailers selling your favorite Irish wares – be it crystal, tweeds, jewelry, music or knick-knacks; but online technology has also given independent artists and entrepreneurs the opportunity to introduce their goods to an entirely new audience. This holiday season, we’re sharing our favorite online sites for truly unique gift ideas with an Irish connection. |
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 Irish Fireside T-Shirts
www.cafepress.com/irishfireside
$12-28 + shipping
Yep, you can give a bit of the Irish Fireside to anyone between the sizes of small and quadruple extra large with one of our t-shirts. Better yet, the proceeds from every purchase go directly to the upkeep of our podcast, website and e-newsletter.
Our first design, “Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner” celebrates the “black stuff,” Irish stout. Available in short and long sleeve versions, it makes for a perfect drinking shirt no matter what the season.
Irish Fireside isn’t the only source for Irish-related tees. After purchasing your Irish Fireside shirt, try running a search for “Irish” in the Café Press Marketplace and similar sites like www.zazzle.com.
Will I Get It Before Christmas?
Expect orders to arrive within one week, with express delivery options available.
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 Irish Turf/Peat Incense
www.turfpeat.com | $19-53 + shipping
Many visitors leave Ireland with fond memories of the aroma of burning turf. Joannes Berkery and her husband, Jeff Fitzpatrick Adams have managed to capture the essence of real Irish turf in their incense.
The origin of their unique product goes back to a time when the couple temporarily moved from Ireland to the U.S. They would burn illegally imported briques of Irish turf to remind them of home. Upon returning to Ireland, they set course to perfect a method that used real turf, yet was legal for export. They now ship worldwide, but a large number of their customers are Irish who moved to Dublin and yearn for a bit of the countryside.
Will I Get It Before Christmas?
Christmas orders can be taken until December 12.
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 Irish Shard Jewelry
www.lamplighterstudio.com | $18-44
(FREE shipping within the United States)
In addition to hosting the Irish Fireside podcast, Liam Hughes also produces jewelry from shards of broken china. Much of his material is found while traveling Ireland and is transformed into one-of-a-kind pins and pendants.
His current collection includes shards from Irish Belleek China (like the piece shown here), Donegal Parian China, Nicholas Mosse Pottery and several pieces of antique transferware and spongeware recovered in Ireland. Visit the “Irish” section of his Lamplighter Studio online store to view the pieces with Irish connections.
Will I Get It Before Christmas?
Items ship within 48 hours and are sent standard mail. Shipping is FREE within the United States. Contact Liam directly if you require express delivery.
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 Shadowmagic Audiobook
www.shadowmagic.co.uk | FREE
While most audiobooks can cost double the price of their printed sibling, independent writers like John Lenahan are recording their stories and offering them to the world for FREE.
John’s fantasy novel follows the often-hilarious adventure of teenage Connor, who in a bazaar twist of fate, is transported to Tir na Nog – the mythical land of the ancient Celts. There, as the author puts it, he must “grapple with typical teenage problems like, how to deal with a father’s high expectations, how to survive in the world on your own and how to woo a beautiful girl - who wants you dead.”
Each week you can download a new chapter of the book from John’s website, or subscribe using iTunes or www.podiobooks.com. If you’d like to introduce someone to the book, a simple email will do the trick, but iTunes users can easily burn chapters to CDs, wrap them and put them under the tree. We’ve even included a Shadowmagic CD Sleeve you can print to make it authentic!
Will I Get It Before Christmas?
If you have a high-speed internet connection, you can have all the episodes today!
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 Ireland Calendars
www.greendragonartist.com | $20 + shipping
Ireland enthusiast and artist Christy Nicholas has turned her beautiful photos of Ireland into a series of four calendars for 2007. She has collected them into themes “Magic of Ireland,” “Bloomin’ Ireland,” “Passage to Ireland” and a perpetual favorite, “Irish Pubs” and has them available to anyone wishing to enjoy a bit of Ireland year-round.
Will I Get It Before Christmas?
Orders ship within one week.
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 Flickr Ireland Photo Products
www.flickr.com | FREE - $18 (or more depending on what you buy) + shipping
Turn your photos from Ireland into beautiful online slideshows, printed photo enlargements, picture books or postage stamps. Simply upload your photos to Flickr.com and you share them with the world. While a Flickr, be sure to browse the hundreds of thousands of photos of Ireland by other Flickr members including the Irish Fireside photostream at www.flickr.com/photos/irishfireside.
Will I Get It Before Christmas?
Slideshows and photostreams can be set up instantly for FREE. Times for prints vary, but most can be picked up same day at your local Target store or can be express mailed to your home. Picture books and postage stamps are shipped within 2-5 days with express delivery available.
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Ireland-Related Books At LuLu
www.lulu.com | Prices begin at FREE for some downloads
Many writers are turning to new internet-based, self-publishing options to get their books published. The talent pool at LuLu ranges from tragically amateur to page-turningly professional, and the genres include Celtic romance, family history, Irish travelogues, photo essays and coffee table books. We’ve chosen a few gift-worthy options, but don't stop there, continue browsing www.lulu.com’s selection of books and medio products. |
 Failte: Six Months in Dublin
A collection of beautiful images by professional photographer Noah Grey
www.lulu.com/content/368493
$49.99 + shipping |
 Woofers
A collection of canine images captured in Ireland and other parts of the world by photojournalist Paul Treacy
www.lulu.com/content/129955
$19.03 + shipping |
 Ireland – February 19-27, 2006
Michael Anthony shares his photos from a winter visit to Ireland and offers the downloadable version for FREE
www.lulu.com/content/264476
Download = FREE; Book = $23.43 + shipping |
 Ireland 2006
Portrait photographer Jean Fancois O’Kane shares a photo essay of his trip to Ireland – he also has compiled his most stunning shots into a 2007 calendar
www.lulu.com/okane
$25 + shipping |
 The Green Pail
Steven Hand tells the tale of an elderly Irish couple coming to terms with modern society
www.lulu.com/content/127987
$9.50 + shipping |
 The Callahan Sisters - Mystery in the Mirror
The Toybox Grannies DEE and AMA spin a tale of myth and mystery as the Callahan sisters travel to Ireland to care for aunt - this book is intended for 8-15 year olds
www.lulu.com/content/386612
$9.50 + shipping |
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 Traditional Irish Music
www.dinglerecordshop.com
$20-24 + shipping
We introduced you to artist and musician Mazz O’Flaherty in November’s Irish Fireside Chat. Both her store in Dingle, Ireland and her website feature a selection of CDs by various traditional Irish Singer Songwriters. You will also find prints of her artwork for sale at www.dingleartist.com.
Will I Get It Before Christmas?
Items will be shipped from Ireland, so you will need to contact Mazz directly for shipping options.
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Note that all links and prices were accurate at the time of publication, and no individuals or businesses paid to be included in this listing.
Look for the December Irish Fireside
E-Newsletter In Your Inbox Next Week |
