Running a gift shop beside the Cliffs of Moher means we see a lot of visitors making gifting decisions. Some walk away with treasures they'll keep for years. Others regret leaving without that special gift they spotted but didn't buy in the moment.

After years of curating our collection at Moher Cottage, here's what we've learned about Irish gifts that are actually worth buying.

What Makes an Irish Gift Worth It?

It should be authentically Irish. This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised. Many "Irish" gifts are mass-produced with no genuine connection to Ireland beyond a shamrock or Celtic knot. Look for products with real Irish roots—designed by Irish makers, inspired by Irish landscape and culture, or connected to Irish traditions in a meaningful way.

Support small makers and independent businesses. We love stocking products from small Irish makers and single-person businesses, many of them run by hugely talented women too. These are people pouring genuine creativity and care into their work. When you buy from a small maker, you're supporting someone's livelihood directly, not feeding a corporate machine.

It should be something you'd want even without the Irish connection. The best Irish gifts are beautiful or useful or meaningful in their own right. The Irish origin is a bonus, not the only selling point. A well-made piece of skincare, a beautifully designed print, a thoughtfully created gift—these are things worth buying.

It should tell a story. The best Irish gifts connect to something real. A photograph of the actual landscape you've just walked through. A piece of design inspired by traditional Irish patterns. Something created by someone whose work reflects the place they live. These have meaning beyond being a generic souvenir.

What We Look For

When we're choosing products for Moher Cottage, we ask ourselves:

Would we give this as a gift to someone we care about? If the answer is no, it doesn't go in our shop. This filters out a lot of the mass-produced tourist items that flood the market.

Does it reflect genuine Irish creativity and design? We look for makers and designers who are doing something interesting with traditional Irish aesthetics, or contemporary creators whose work feels authentically connected to Ireland without being clichéd. 

Is the quality there? You can't fake good design and craftsmanship. We handle every piece before we stock it. If it doesn't feel well-made, it doesn't make the cut.

Is the price fair? Not cheap—fair. Well-designed products and quality craftsmanship cost more than mass-produced alternatives, and they should as the price should reflect the work and materials.

Types of Irish Gifts Worth Considering

Photography and Art Prints Irish artists and photographers have a unique ability to capture the raw beauty of this landscape—the ever-changing light, the dramatic coastline, the moods of the Atlantic. I photograph the Cliffs and the Wild Atlantic Way myself, and our prints are popular because people want to take the memory of this exact view home with them. But love all of the art prints we also have instore from many talented artists, some in store since the first day i opened coming from every corner of Ireland too. All printed in Ireland too. Always look for work by local photographers and artists—original work has soul that mass-produced stock photos can't match.

Greeting Cards and Stationery A thoughtfully designed card connects the giver and receiver to a moment or place in a way few other gifts can. We create our own greeting cards featuring our photography of the local landscape, and stock lots from other irish makers too and all printed in Ireland. A beautiful card can be a gift in itself, or a small way to share this place with someone back home.

Irish Children's Books Ireland's storytelling tradition runs deep, and children's books that bring Irish folklore and mythology to life make wonderful gifts. Perfect for bringing home to kids or grandkids—beautifully illustrated stories rooted in Irish legends and landscape become treasured keepsakes that children remember long after the holiday.

Irish Skincare and Wellness Gifts Ireland's clean environment and natural ingredients have inspired a wonderful collection of small skincare and wellness brands. We stock brands like Jo Browne—all Irish-made products that are beautifully created and genuinely effective. These make excellent gifts because they're useful, thoughtful, and many are run by talented women, so your purchase directly supports their livelihoods.

Textiles and Woolens Irish wool has been world-renowned for centuries, and the quality speaks for itself. Look for items from Irish designers and mills—a quality wool scarf or blanket is an investment you'll use for years.

Pottery and Ceramics There's something special about Irish pottery—often inspired by the rugged landscape and wild seascape, each piece carries the maker's connection to this place. A hand-thrown mug or bowl becomes something you use daily and think about every time.

Food and Drink Artisan food products offer a taste of Ireland you can take home or share. We make our own fudge here at Moher Cottage, and it's popular because people can taste something created in this specific place they've visited. Irish artisan chocolate, local honey, Irish jams, and biscuits make excellent consumable gifts that create memories.

What to Avoid

Anything with "Kiss me, I'm Irish" on it. Just... no.

Mass-produced Celtic knot items. Unless they're genuinely well-made and designed, these tend to be cheap imports with an Irish theme.

Leprechaun-related merchandise. We're not saying leprechauns aren't part of Irish folklore. We're saying the plastic leprechaun on a keychain might not bring you joy ;-)

Items without any indication of who designed them or where they're from. If there's no information about the maker, designer, or origin, that's usually a red flag.

The Best Approach

Buy things you genuinely like and would want regardless of where they're from. If you're drawn to something because it's beautiful or interesting or useful, and it has an authentic Irish connection—whether that's Irish-made, Irish-designed, or Irish-inspired—that's the sweet spot.

Don't feel obligated to buy something just because you're in Ireland and you think you should. The pressure to bring home souvenirs can lead to purchases you regret.

And if you're near the Cliffs of Moher, stop by Moher Cottage. We've put genuine thought into every item we stock. Everything here is either Irish-made, Irish-designed, or created by us right here on our farm. You might find something perfect, or you might just enjoy browsing a shop where everything has been chosen by someone who cares about quality and authenticity.

Either way, we'd love to see you.

Caitriona, @ Moher Cottage