From Where To Buy Irish Crafts

STUDIOS

Ardmore Pottery Shop, Ardmore, County Waterford for a fine selection of hand thrown earthenware pots by Mary Lincoln as well as a selection of glass and wooden products by Irish artists and craftsmen.

Celtic Roots Studio, Athlone, County Westmeath, for that souvenir with a difference. Pieces are fashioned by craftsmen using bogwood, which is more than 5000 years old. There are all sorts here from candleholders, timepieces, lamps, trophies, and even mobile phone holders.

Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre, Foxford, County Mayo. With two art galleries, a mill shop and a jewellery workshop you are sure to find your ideal souvenir here in the form of hand crafted silver and gold jewellery, paintings by local artists or the famous Foxford rugs, blankets and tweeds. Also on site you can discover the history of Foxford Woollen Mills with a self-guided tour. And if you are feeling peckish after all of that, there is the Olde Mill Restaurant to curb those hunger pangs.

CRAFT SHOPS

Kilkenny Design Craft Centre, Castle Yard, Kilkenny for the best in Irish hand crafted gifts. Goods for purchase include jewellery, knitwear, Celtic gifts, China, crystal, pottery, glass and a range of home and fashion accessories. You will also get the chance to see original works by upcoming craftsmen.

Kylemore Abbey, Kylemore, County Galway. The craft and retail shop has a fine selection of jewellery, religious items, crystal and knitwear as well as their own pottery made from the onsite workshop. Also in the craft shop you can purchase homemade jams from recipes handed down by the nuns of the Benedictine Community.

Indeed staying on the homemade theme, a trip to the Mitchell Henry Restaurant will allow you to sample further homemade delights, such as soup, scones, brown bread and apple pie.

The Leitrim Design House, The Docks Arts Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim - the 19th century courthouse sets the scene for what you might expect at Leitrim Design House. Featuring the works of over 250 artists, you will see works in ceramics, glass, paper, wood, textiles, metal and jewellery. Hand made books and fine art also feature. If you would like more information, please have a look at the Into Leitrim website.

GALLERIES

Access to Arts Gallery, The Design Tower, Trinity College Centre, Dublin. Works by over 50 Irish artists are featured here in this gallery. You will see both exhibits from established artists and up and coming artists here, and a wide variety of materials as well. Be totally amazed by what can be done with glass, ceramics, silver, print, oils, watercolours, fibre, wood, limestone, and bronze.

Designyard, Dublin City. If you want to see the best in Irish jewellery, then this gallery is definitely on your "to do" list. European counterparts are also featured. And it is not just jewellery alone, works in bog oak, glass, wood and ceramics are on show.

Guinness Gallery, Foxrock, Dublin. If glass is your "thing", then the Guinness Gallery is a must see for you. This is the ultimate in art glass from European artists. You will also find a variety of contemporary Irish paintings and sculpture.

EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS

Upcoming events and exhibitions include:

Art Ireland Spring Collection, from 27th - 29th March, Main Hall, RDS, Dublin. Interior Design, RDS, Dublin from May the 14th to May 17th.

The Knitting and Stitching Show, RDS, Dublin from 29th October to 1st November.

The National Crafts and Design Fair, RDS, Dublin from the 2nd to the 6th December.

Just a few ideas there on where you can purchase the ultimate Irish craft to take home with you after a memorable holiday in the Emerald Isle.

Mairead writes for GoIreland.com - Ireland's leading travel and accommodation website.

Check out GoIreland.com for everything you need to know before you visit Ireland. GoIreland.com has low prices for quality approved hotel, B&B, guesthouse and self catering accommodation all over the country.

Author:-Mairead Foley