Irish Keepsake Suggestions?

[elanorh]

Hi all,

I'm of Irish descent and my cousin is going to Ireland for a few months and offered to pick "something" up for me while she's there. I know that there are the stereotypical Irish souvenirs and I would like something more unique, and more "authentic" if you will.

Do you have any suggestions? Our family was from County Donnegal (sp?) .... and I know she's going there. I do sew, so if there is an Irish wool or linen which is available I suppose that could be an option. And we are Catholic, so if there's something neat like that which you could suggest ....?

I don't know that I'll ever make it over to Ireland to shop for something myself, so am hoping that you will have some neat suggestions for me to pass on to my cousin. :)

(Cousin normally fights wildland forest fires, so on her winter break she's found a work pass to work as a bar maid in Ireland; I'm not sure where she'll be working - but her mom is also a quilter, so if there are any really neat sewing shops that you can recommend, in the off chance her mom has sent her looking for fabric too, that'd be wonderful :))

Thanks for any suggestions!

[leanbh]

well, we've just enjoyed getting clothes from our family in ireland. they're just different from the normal things here.

of course their woolens are amazing. we have a pair of cashmere booties for dd that are just awesome.

i'd say that anything hand crafted would be worthy of a keepsake. stay away from souvenir shops.

[Arduinna]

And we are Catholic, so if there's something neat like that which you could suggest ....?



A missal in Irish? A Celtic Cross? St Brigit statue or picture? A rosary made of connemara marble?

[courtenay_e]

Wow. If she's still there, there is a FABULOUS weaver in Ardara (which used to be the center of the woolen trade) named Eddie Doherty. He makes woolen "rugs" or throw blankets that are just wonderful (we have SEVERAL...get one in a different color each time we go to visit family). But the BEST part of his shop is the cloth he weaves. It is in beautifully vibrant colors, the weight is wonderful, and OH, is it a dream to sew. I highly suggest that if your cousin is still there, you have her get you some lengths of wool. If you're the kind who likes to cuddle up with a cup of tea on a cool evening, the wool rug would be grand, as well. Too, there is another shop in Ardara which carries some lovely hand knit sweaters, for much less than I have found in other parts of the country...but I only know it by sight.:o

And, if she's interested, Eddie likes to show his loom and how he uses it...it's up over the bar he also owns. Pretty fun!