District’s Ultimate Irish Gift Guide 2022
Words: Eva O’Beirne
Christmas shopping can be painful. You don’t want to be buying presents for the sake of it, but finding one that the person actually likes is a tough task. Don’t worry – District has you covered. Whether you’re shopping for your Da, boyfriend, kris kindle or eccentric family members, we have a huge selection of gifts for you to choose from.
Brookwood Pottery
Founded in 2012, Brookwood Pottery is a small Dublin-based business that creates ceramics with plenty of personality. If someone you know has just moved house or if you’re looking for a gift for the in-laws, Brookwood Pottery should be your first port of call.
Hen’s Teeth
Hen’s Teeth has become one of Dublin’s most beloved lifestyle and food stores. Based in Blackpitts, Dublin 8, they stock a wide range of home accessories, books and even Christmas hampers. Jump onto their website for more gift ideas or visit their Christmas super-store in person.
Sex Siopa
For a more intimate present or perhaps something for yourself, check out Sex Siopa. Based in Sligo, this multi-award-winning online store has all you need to end up on the naughty list. Keep an eye out for their holiday gift section on their website.
High Minds
High Minds is an Irish company that caters to “high” minded individuals. With incense, apparel and everything you need for a good smoke, one or two bits from this store is perfect for the 420 enthusiasts in your life.
Scout
Situated in Smock Alley, Scout is a homeware and apparel shop that stocks stunning and sustainable goods for adults and kids. They have a full Christmas collection available to shop here, as well as their own ‘build a gift box’ option.
Indigo and Cloth
This curated store specialises in sustainable clothing and lifestyle bits. You can pop into their store on Essex Street or order online.
Tide Robes
Proudly designed in Ireland, Tide Official was born from a love for nature. If your ma, auntie, niece or neighbour has suddenly developed a passion for sea swimming, the Tide Robe is the ultimate Christmas gift. Have a look at their website for more products to put under the tree.
High Rollers
High Rollers is a skateboard and clothing store on Aungier Street that sell everything from footwear to skateboard hardware. Hop on their website to find the perfect gift for the skater boy or girl in your life.
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Oxmantown Skincare
Oxmantown is your one-stop shop for all things Irish skincare. This Dublin-based company is environmentally friendly, ethically sourced and the perfect gift for the fella who’s a bit clueless about skincare in your life. Don’t subject him to another Lynx Africa set, instead unleash his inner beauty guru with their Oxmantown Men’s Kit or Beard Oil.
Orla King x Project Arts Centre Scarves
The Project Arts Centre have teamed up with designer Orla King (Damn Fine Print; Yamamori Tengu in-house design resident) to create football-style scarves in two fabulous colourways. Inspired by Project’s iconic bright colours and messaging, these playful and cosy designs are perfect to keep the artists and art lovers of Dublin warm. Click here to buy one.
Ilk Clothing
ilk is an Ireland-based company that focuses on curated consumption. You can browse their collection online or pop into their seasonal store in Dundalk. They’ll be hosting a festive launch party on Saturday 3 December from 17:00 if you fancy some whiskey with your Christmas shopping.
Abode General Store
Abode General Store is a menswear and lifestyle store based in Dublin which focuses on curating purposeful brands and designers. Pick up a few pieces from this shop to make the perfect Chrimbo present for the eco-conscious person in your life.
Bang On The Door
SADSAC designer Daniel Walters and Bang On The Door co-founder Karen Duncan have spent over a year working on the relaunch of Bang On The Door – the brand behind Groovy Chick and Friends. The final result? Iconic. You can cop their “Brain Cell” t-shirt here.
LOOT
LOOT is home to a curated collection of vintage fashion, accessories, magazines and independent brands such as Rêverie and Innê. Whether it’s jewellery, new boots or a voucher, a gift from LOOT is sure to not disappoint. Pop into their store on Fade Street to browse.
Pearl Reddington Knitwear
Pearl Reddington is a multi-award-winning contemporary knitwear designer based in Ireland. From hats and scarves to heirloom quilts from her Mother of Pearl collection, there’s something for everyone in this store.
Pellador FC
This Limerick-based brand mixes the soccer-jersey aesthetic with knitwear for a distinctly Irish take on high fashion. Pellador FC is a spinoff of Limerick fashion house Execute Exist, headed up by Greg Hall, and inspired by Irish-centric institutions and symbols, from Irish language-themed designs to spirals found at megalithic tombs like Newgrange. Click here to browse their first drop, and keep an eye out for another drop soon.
Emporium
Founded in 2018 by Charlie Proctor Quigley and Robbie Fidgeon, this Dublin-based brand’s latest drop features four new colourways of their oversized pocket tee as well as an embroidered two-piece tracksuit. Emporium’s collections are produced on a seasonal basis and often take inspiration from street culture as well as vintage and 90s graphics. Click here to shop.
GAFFS, Rory Hearne
Rory Hearne’s new book “Gaffs” explains why no one can get a house, and what we can do to solve that. The book covers the full extent of the housing market in modern Ireland, from the aftermath of the Celtic Tiger to the psychological impact the crisis is having on “Generation Rent”. It also addresses how we can create affordable, sustainable housing solutions for everyone. Click here to grab a copy from Books Upstairs.
Through Her Eyes, Clodagh Finn
Told through the prism of the lives of twenty-one extraordinary women, “Through Her Eyes” offers an alternative vision of Irish history, one that puts the spotlight on women whose contributions have been forgotten or overlooked. From the oldest woman in Ireland, whose bones were found beneath the Poulnabrone dolmen, to the modern-day founder of a 3D printing company, this book introduces us to amazing women whose stories were shaped by the centuries in which they lived. Click here to grab a copy from Gill Books
Small Things Like These, Claire Keegan
A Sunday Times and Irish Times bestseller as well as the Orwell Prize winner for Political Fiction, “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan is dedicated to the women and children who “suffered time” in the Magdalene laundries. An intricately woven tale set in New Ross, Wexford during the Christmas of 1985, this book analyses the nuances behind the system of abuse that was the Magdalene laundries and Mother and Baby Homes. Click here to grab a copy from the Gutter Bookshop.
An Irish Atlantic Rainforest: A Personal Journey Into the Magic of Rewilding, Eoghan Daltun
“An Irish Atlantic Rainforest: A Personal Journey into the Magic of Rewilding” details the story of the evolution of a re-wilded farm on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork. It is the life work of Eoghan Daltun, who had the vision to create a temperate rainforest on a 73-acre farm he bought, moving there from Dublin with his family in 2009. Perfect for any environmentalist in your life click here to grab a copy from Books Upstairs.
Children’s Books From The Library Project
The Library Project have a beautiful range of books for the little kiddo in your life. Check out The Library Project’s website for inspirational and colourful Irish books for all ages and reading abilities. Our favourites are from John and Fatti Burke.
All Down Darkness Wide, Seán Hewitt
Awarded the 2022 Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, “All Down Darkness Wide” by Seán Hewitt is a perceptive and unflinching meditation on the burden of living in a world that too often sets happiness and queer life at odds, and a tender and honest portrayal of what it’s like to be caught in the undertow of a loved one’s deep depression. You can grab a copy from the Gutter Bookshop.
Nota Poca
Nóta Póca is a delightful, colourful online stationery store that stocks everything you can think of. From quirky greeting cards to working-from-home essentials, any student or artistic type would adore a gift voucher from this Galway-based business.
Howrad Designs
Owned by twin sisters Rachel and Ciara Howard, Howrad Studios stocks prints, stationary and even wrapping paper that any #girlboss in your life will simply adore. With Christmas bundles aplenty, you can check out their full collection here.
Jam Art Factory
Jam Art Factory is your one-stop-shop for prints, notebooks, decorations and cards. The best part? They’re all created by Irish artists. Check out their website here where you can grab prints from artists such as Claire Prouvost.
Irish Design Shop
Established in 2008 by two jewellers, Clare Grennan and Laura Caffrey, Irish Design Shop is a small business that prides itself on promoting the work of some of Ireland’s most exciting designer-makers. Click here to shop the full store.
Selkies
Revolving around Irish culture and the many things in between, Selkies, run by Louise NÍ Chuilinn, has prints and tote bags galore. Perfect for the cousin or best friend who’s moved away, a piece from Selkies is bound to put a smile on their face every time they see it. Click here to shop.
The Dirt Bird
If you’ve ever wanted Aoife McGregor’s iconic voice note on a tea towel, this shop is for you. Featuring pins, scarves, beanies and more, this shop will have the perfect gift for your pal who is a bit too obsessed with Irish pop culture. Click here to shop.
Fatti Burke
Fatti Burke is an illustrator from Co. Waterford, Ireland. She has been working as a freelance illustrator since she graduated from the National College of Art and Design in 2012. Her work revolves around the things she loves – food, home, jokes, colours and tradition. Her collaboration with Guinness – the aptly named “Lovely Day for a Guinness” collection – is a perfect addition to any home, in Ireland or abroad. Click here to shop. You currently can pick up her collaborative tote bags for Women’s Aid in Vodafone stores around Ireland.
Hephee
The man, the myth, the legend. You’ve definitely seen his work shared on your mate’s Instagram story. Stephen Heffernan, also known as Hephee, is a freelance designer, illustrator, and art director based in London. He’s currently selling a range of prints on his online store, including this one where 100 per cent of the profits will be donated to Dogs Trust Ireland.
Tower Records
For new releases on Vinyl, make sure to hit up Tower Records. Grab the music lover in your life some vintage picks or maybe even a Christmas hits album to help them get into the seasonal spirit.
The Secret Book and Record Store
Secret Book and Record Store is one of Dublin’s best-hidden spots. Tucked away on Wicklow Street, you’ll find some vintage gems here for your brother or uncle who claims he was born in the wrong generation.
Aaron Fahy x District Tees
Part of a limited edition collaboration with District, Aaron Fahy has produced a run of his iconic crayon drawings inspired by different hip-hop album covers that anyone would be delighted to find under the Christmas tree. Click here to grab one.
Forbidden Fruit
Perfect for the music lover in your life, Forbidden Fruit will be returning to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in the summer, and if last year was anything to go by, it’ll be a good one. Treat yourself and your festival buddy to a weekend you’ll treasure forever. Tickets are rumoured to go on sale before Christmas, check out the festival’s website for more updates and to register your interest.
All Together Now
All Together Now made a splash this week, announcing Loyle Carner, Jamie xx, the Sugababes and Iggy Pop among others during their first act reveal for next year’s festival. Tickets go on sale on Friday, December 2 at 09:00. Click here for more information.
Roe + Co
Roe and Co Distillery offer a range of tasting tours, including a “Blending Experience” and a “Flavours Experience”. Bring your siblings for a more sophisticated boozy day out or treat the cocktail enthusiast in your life to a fun afternoon testing their knowledge. If you’re planning a pre-Christmas date night, you can book in for their Winter Garden experience here.
Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse has recently launched its “Welcome Home” Christmas experience featuring multimedia immersive installations created by Dublin-born award-winning artist, GRIF. Behind the famous black gates, visitors can expect a state-of-the-art projection-mapped Christmas tree installation in the Guinness Storehouse atrium measuring 16 metres tall, a cinematic film inspired by the iconic surge of a Guinness pint, and bespoke large-scale prints. Click here for more.
The Lighthouse Cinema
What better gift than the gift of cinema? You can grab a voucher for the cinema lover in your life here. The Lighthouse Cinema has also brought back its charming Christmas shop for this year’s holiday season. Their prints and tote bags are perfect for Kris Kindle or as a stocking filler.
Collected Treasure
The new kid on the block in Temple Bar, Collected Treasure stocks “sustainable, responsible and preloved” clothing as well as vintage and independent designers. Their Instagram feed is simply gorgeous, making it an ideal spot to pick up your Christmas bits.
Greens Are Good For You
For the girl who has everything but wants to stop buying everything. The sustainable, clothes renting service has gift vouchers for sale, perfect for any sustainable girlie in your life.
Henny Penny Vintage
This Dublin-based online vintage clothing store aims to cater for all styles, shapes and sizes. Fashion-forward and Earth-friendly, you can browse their website here.
Finders Keepers
Beloved by Irish influencers like Roz Purcell, this Bray-based vintage store is truly having a moment. Pick up a funky sweater or voucher from Finders Keepers for your younger sister to show you know where it’s cool to shop (we won’t tell). Check out their latest drop here.
Rêverie
Rêverie is a small Irish-owned and female-led vintage store which ethically sources its stock so you don’t have to worry about your carbon footprint. Whether it’s a gift voucher or a statement piece, the sustainable queen in your life will be ecstatic when they see the Rêverie tag.
Elsewhere on District: Support Irish Artists This Christmas With Our Ultimate Merch Guide
