Bringing back the right Irish souvenirs from Dublin requires balancing authenticity with practicality. Mass-produced tourist tat (leprechaun keychains, shamrock-printed everything) is widely available but ignores the genuine Irish craft tradition that produces some of Europe’s best souvenirs. This guide covers the authentic Irish souvenirs worth buying, where to source them, what to pay for quality versus tourist-trap prices, and how to verify authenticity. Whether you’re bringing back gifts for family or self-indulging in your own Dublin memento, this guide ensures you make smart purchases.
This guide goes deeper on one part of our complete Dublin shopping guide.
Aran Sweaters (The Iconic Irish Souvenir)
Aran sweaters — the cable-knit Irish wool sweaters originating on the Aran Islands — are Dublin’s most iconic souvenir. The hand-knitted patterns (cable, honeycomb, blackberry stitch) traditionally represent fishing nets, basket-weaving, and harvest. Each Aran island family historically had distinctive patterns that helped identify drowned fishermen.
Where to buy authentic Aran sweaters in Dublin
- Carraig Donn — Multiple Grafton Street locations. Authentic Made-in-Ireland Aran sweaters €120-200.
- Avoca — Suffolk Street. Premium Aran sweater options.
- Brown Thomas Irish Design Floor — Premium contemporary Aran options.
- Aran Sweater Market — Various Dublin locations.
- Kevin & Howlin — Nassau Street. Traditional Irish menswear including Aran cardigans.
How to identify authentic Aran sweaters
Authentic Aran sweaters carry the “Made in Ireland” certification on label and feature hand-knitted pattern variations. Mass-produced “Aran style” sweaters from international manufacturers have perfectly uniform patterns (machine knitting). Authentic sweaters typically cost €120-250 for full-quality items; suspiciously cheap (€30-60) sweaters labelled “Aran style” are usually machine-knitted abroad.
Irish Whiskey
Irish whiskey is among Dublin’s most popular souvenirs. The major Dublin distilleries (Pearse Lyons, Teeling, Jameson) all sell their whiskeys plus other Irish brands. Additionally, the Powers, Bushmills, Redbreast, Connemara, and Tullamore Dew brands are widely available.
Where to buy Irish whiskey in Dublin
- Distilleries direct — Pearse Lyons (St James’s Church), Teeling (Newmarket Square), Jameson (Bow Street). Each sells own whiskey plus other Irish brands.
- The Irish Whiskey Museum shop — Grafton Street. Educational tours plus extensive whiskey shop.
- Mitchells & Son — Glasthule (suburban) and CHQ Building. Established Irish whiskey retailer.
- Celtic Whiskey Shop — Dawson Street. Specialist whiskey retailer with rare bottles.
- The Power’s Quarter — Powers Court Townhouse food hall. Smaller selection.
- Brown Thomas — Various premium whiskey options.
- Dublin Airport duty-free — Last-minute purchases at competitive prices, no VAT.
Irish whiskey price ranges
- Entry-level Irish whiskey: €25-40. Jameson Original, Powers Gold Label, Tullamore Dew.
- Mid-range Irish whiskey: €40-80. Jameson Black Barrel, Teeling Single Grain, Redbreast 12.
- Premium Irish whiskey: €80-200. Redbreast 15, Teeling Single Pot Still, Midleton Very Rare.
- Luxury Irish whiskey: €200-1000+. Midleton Dair Ghaelach, Bushmills 21 years.
- Investment whiskey: €1000+. Rare bottles from closed distilleries.
Claddagh Rings
The Claddagh ring is the traditional Irish ring featuring hands holding a heart topped with a crown — symbolising friendship (hands), love (heart), and loyalty (crown). The ring originated in the Galway fishing village of Claddagh in the 1700s and is now a recognised Irish heritage symbol.
Where to buy Claddagh rings in Dublin
- Designyard — Nassau Street. Contemporary Irish jewellery including modern Claddagh designs.
- Brown Thomas — Premium Claddagh rings in the jewellery department.
- Carraig Donn — Authentic Irish Claddagh rings.
- Various specialist Irish jewellers — Throughout Grafton Street and Powerscourt.
How to buy quality Claddagh rings
Authentic Claddagh rings carry an Irish hallmark from the Dublin Assay Office on the inside of the band. Silver Claddagh rings run €30-100. Gold Claddagh rings run €150-1000+ depending on gold weight and quality. Tourist-shop versions without hallmarks often cost €15-50 but are not authentic Irish jewellery. The proper way to wear a Claddagh ring depends on relationship status (heart facing toward = single, heart facing away = in relationship, on right hand vs left hand has additional meanings).
Belleek and Irish Pottery
Belleek Pottery, established 1857 in County Fermanagh (Northern Ireland but widely sold in Dublin), produces distinctive Irish porcelain with characteristic basket-weave patterns and shamrock motifs. The pottery is recognisable for its ivory-cream colour and fine translucent quality. Belleek is widely collected and makes excellent gifts.
Where to buy Belleek in Dublin: Various Grafton Street tourist shops, Brown Thomas’s Irish design section, Avoca. Authentic Belleek carries the company mark on the base. Prices range from €30 for small pieces to €500+ for elaborate display items. Other Irish pottery options include the Nicholas Mosse Pottery (sponge-printed Kilkenny pottery, available at Powerscourt Townhouse) and various contemporary Irish ceramicists at the Irish Design Shop.
Newbridge Silverware
Newbridge Silverware (established 1934 in County Kildare) produces silver-plated jewellery, homeware, and gifts with a distinctive Irish style. Popular items include Christmas tree decorations, pendants, photo frames, and tea sets. Available at Brown Thomas and the Newbridge Silverware flagship shop at the Powerscourt Townhouse. Prices range from €20 for small pendants to €200+ for premium homeware. The Museum of Style Icons within the Newbridge Silverware visitor centre (in County Kildare, not Dublin city centre) displays celebrity items donated to the company.
Irish Books and Literature
Irish literature is one of Dublin’s great cultural exports. Recommended Irish books to bring home as souvenirs:
- James Joyce — Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Ulysses.
- W.B. Yeats — The Collected Poems.
- Samuel Beckett — Waiting for Godot, Endgame.
- Oscar Wilde — The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest.
- Sally Rooney — Normal People, Conversations with Friends.
- Roddy Doyle — The Commitments, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.
- Anne Enright — The Gathering.
- Paul Lynch — Prophet Song (2023 Booker Prize winner).
- Maeve Binchy — Circle of Friends, Light a Penny Candle.
- Patrick Kavanagh — Collected Poems.
- Seamus Heaney — Death of a Naturalist, North.
- Bram Stoker — Dracula.
Where to buy: Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street (Ireland’s oldest bookshop, founded 1768) has the most extensive Irish literature section. The Winding Stair on Ormond Quay Lower is excellent for Irish writers. Books Upstairs at College Green carries political and literary works. The Trinity College gift shop has classic editions.
Guinness Merchandise
Guinness branded items are among Dublin’s most popular tourist purchases. The Guinness Storehouse gift shop sells the widest range: t-shirts, baseball caps, glassware, branded pint glasses, bottle openers, key chains, posters, books on Guinness history, and the famous Guinness Toucan ad reproductions. Other locations selling Guinness merchandise: Brown Thomas, various Grafton Street tourist shops, Dublin Airport duty-free, and the Guinness Open Gate Brewery shop.
Recommended Guinness items: the classic Guinness pint glass (€6-10), the Guinness branded jumper (€40-60), the Guinness Coffee Table Book (€25), and the Guinness Toucan ad print (€15-25). Cheaper tourist shop Guinness items often have lower quality printing and materials than the official Storehouse versions.
Irish Music CDs and Vinyl
- Tower Records — Wicklow Street. Mainstream Irish artists plus international.
- Claddagh Records — Cecilia Street. Specialist traditional Irish music.
- All City Records — Crow Street. Electronic, hip-hop, indie.
- Spindizzy Records — George’s Street Arcade.
- Independent & Bookish — Wexford Street.
Major Irish artists worth bringing home: The Dubliners (traditional), The Chieftains (trad), Sinéad O’Connor (rock), U2 (rock), Van Morrison (rock/blues), Hozier (contemporary), Dermot Kennedy (contemporary), The Pogues (Celtic punk), Christy Moore (folk), Sharon Shannon (trad), and Lankum (folk). CDs typically €15-25, vinyl €25-45.
Irish Food Souvenirs
Irish food makes excellent gifts that won’t take suitcase space:
- Sheridans Cheese gift packs — Premium Irish farmhouse cheese in vacuum packaging.
- Smoked Atlantic salmon — Burren Smokehouse or Connemara Smokehouse premium options.
- Irish soda bread mix — Hard-to-find international, easy to bring home.
- Butlers Chocolates — Premium Dublin chocolatier with attractive gift boxes.
- Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates — Alternative Irish chocolatier.
- McCambridge’s soda bread — Traditional Irish bread brand.
- Bewley’s tea and coffee — The Dublin cafe’s own brand products.
- Knockanore Cheese — Premium Cork cheddar.
- Irish honey — Various small producers at markets.
- Smoked salmon — Cavistons in Glasthule has premium options.
Check destination country import rules — some countries restrict dairy, meat, or other food imports. UK and EU imports are unrestricted; US imports have some restrictions on raw dairy.
Contemporary Irish Design
- The Irish Design Shop — Drury Street. 100+ Irish designers.
- Avoca — Premium Irish design including textiles, ceramics, candles.
- Designyard — Contemporary Irish jewellery.
- Brown Thomas Irish Design Floor — Premium contemporary brands.
- Industry & Co — Drury Street. Homeware focus.
- Article — Powerscourt Townhouse. International and Irish design.
Irish Skincare and Cosmetics
Irish skincare brands: Pestle & Mortar (Athy-based, available Brown Thomas and Boots), Ella & Jo Cosmetics (Dublin-based makeup), Sculpted by Aimee (makeup), Inglot Cosmetics (Polish brand with strong Irish presence), Seoulista Beauty (Korean-Irish skincare). The Brown Thomas Beauty Floor showcases all major Irish brands. Pure Skincare on Drury Street stocks smaller Irish-made natural skincare.
Souvenirs by Budget
Under €50 (one-off gifts)
Guinness pint glass, Irish soda bread mix, Butlers Chocolates box, book by an Irish author, Bewley’s tea, Belleek small pottery item, basic Claddagh ring (silver), Irish music CD, Newbridge Silverware small pendant.
€50-200 (significant gifts)
Authentic Aran sweater (€120-200), mid-range Irish whiskey bottle (€40-80), silver Claddagh ring with hallmark (€30-100), premium Belleek pottery, Sheridans Cheese gift hamper, smoked salmon premium pack, signed Irish author book, Newbridge Silverware homeware.
€200-1000 (premium gifts)
Premium Aran sweater, gold Claddagh ring with diamond, premium Irish whiskey (€100-300), Belleek major display piece, premium Designyard contemporary Irish jewellery, designer Irish fashion item from Brown Thomas Irish Design Floor.
€1000+ (luxury purchases)
Bespoke Donegal tweed suit at Kevin & Howlin, rare Irish whiskey from limited release distilleries, designer Aran sweater handmade to commission, premium Designyard jewellery, Brown Thomas designer fashion concession purchases.
Tourist Tat to Avoid
Several common Dublin tourist purchases are best avoided:
- Leprechaun statues — Mass-produced in China, lower-quality versions of folkloric symbols.
- Cheap shamrock-printed everything — T-shirts, hats, keychains with mass-produced shamrock graphics.
- “Aran style” sweaters — Machine-knitted in international factories, sold as Aran-equivalent.
- Cheap Claddagh rings without hallmarks — Not authentic Irish jewellery.
- Tourist-trap distillery merchandise — Often higher prices than buying direct.
- Bargain Belleek without quality marks — May not be authentic Belleek.
- Generic “Irish blessing” signs/plaques — Often poor quality, mass-produced internationally.
- Cheap shillelaghs and walking sticks — Tourist-trap items rather than authentic Irish crafts.
Best Shopping Locations for Irish Souvenirs
- Carraig Donn — Grafton Street. Authentic Irish craft retailer.
- Avoca — Suffolk Street. Premium Irish design and food.
- Brown Thomas Irish Design Floor — Premium contemporary brands.
- Powerscourt Townhouse — Boutique food and design.
- The Irish Design Shop — Drury Street. 100+ designers.
- Designyard — Nassau Street. Jewellery.
- Distilleries direct — Pearse Lyons, Teeling, Jameson.
- Hodges Figgis — Dawson Street. Books.
- Tower Records — Wicklow Street. Music.
- Dublin Airport duty-free — Last-minute, VAT-free.
VAT Refunds for Souvenir Shopping
Non-EU visitors can claim VAT refunds (23% Irish VAT rate) on purchases over €75 from a single retailer. Most major Irish souvenir retailers participate including Carraig Donn, Brown Thomas, Avoca, and the distilleries. Request a tax-free form at purchase, keep it with original receipt. Process the refund at Dublin Airport before departure at the Global Blue or Premier Tax Free desks. Refund typically €15-20 per €100 spent after operator fees.
Suggested Souvenir Shopping List
For a typical Dublin visitor, the recommended souvenir mix:
- 1 authentic Aran sweater from Carraig Donn (€150).
- 1 mid-range Irish whiskey bottle from Teeling Distillery (€50).
- 1 silver Claddagh ring with Dublin Assay hallmark (€50).
- 2-3 books by Irish authors from Hodges Figgis (€40-60).
- 1 Guinness pint glass from Storehouse (€10).
- Butlers Chocolates gift box for someone at home (€25).
- 1 Sheridans Cheese gift hamper from Powerscourt (€45).
- Bewley’s tea selection (€15).
Total approximately €395. Authentic, quality, distinctively Irish — with the VAT refund of €75-90, your effective cost is €305-320.
Shipping Souvenirs Home
For bulky souvenirs or items you don’t want to carry through airports, most major Dublin retailers offer international shipping. Brown Thomas, Carraig Donn, Avoca, and Powerscourt Townhouse boutiques routinely ship internationally. Typical costs: €15-50 to Europe, €30-100 to North America, €50-150 to Asia/Australia. Allow 5-15 working days for delivery. An Post offers self-shipping at the main O’Connell Street post office. Whiskey shipping requires special arrangements; some Irish whiskey retailers offer direct international shipping with proper customs documentation. Check destination country alcohol import rules and limits before shipping.
Seasonal Irish Souvenir Considerations
Some Irish souvenirs work better at specific times. Christmas season (November-December): Newbridge Silverware Christmas decorations, Brown Thomas Christmas Windows merchandise, Christmas markets crafts, Bewley’s Christmas tea. St Patrick’s Day (March): Various Irish-themed items at peak availability and pricing. Summer: Linen products, lighter wool items, Irish summer fashion. Autumn: Aran sweaters as weather turns cooler, perfect for upcoming winter use. The Carraig Donn and Avoca Irish design collections rotate seasonally with new items typically released in February (spring/summer) and August (autumn/winter).
Ethical and Sustainable Souvenirs
For visitors prioritising ethical purchases, several considerations: Carraig Donn’s “Made in Ireland” certification supports small Irish wool producers. Avoca emphasises traditional Irish craft production. The Irish Design Shop on Drury Street showcases small-batch Irish designers operating sustainable practices. Sheridans Cheese supports Irish farmhouse dairy producers. Brown Thomas has expanded ethical brand offerings including B Corp certified products. Avoid mass-produced Chinese-imported “Irish” items at tourist shops — these undermine genuine Irish makers and lack the quality and authenticity of legitimate Irish souvenirs.
Dublin Souvenirs for Kids
For visitors wanting to bring back gifts for children, several Irish souvenirs work well. Books by Irish children’s authors including Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series, Marita Conlon-McKenna’s historical fiction, and Roddy Doyle’s younger reader books. Smyths Toys on Mary Street has Irish-themed toys and games. The Dublin Zoo gift shop has soft toys of zoo animals. The Trinity College gift shop has Book of Kells facsimile books and educational gifts. The Natural History Museum gift shop has dinosaur-themed items. Imaginosity in Sandyford has children’s science and design items. Carraig Donn has children’s Aran sweaters in smaller sizes. The Irish Design Shop stocks children’s prints and small gifts by Irish designers.
Packing Souvenirs for Travel
Several practical considerations for transporting Dublin souvenirs home. Aran sweaters compress well and weigh little but take significant suitcase space — vacuum-pack bags help dramatically. Irish whiskey bottles require checked baggage (cabin baggage liquid limits apply) — wrap in clothing or use bottle protectors. Belleek pottery needs careful packing in checked baggage with bubble wrap. Books are heavy and may push luggage over weight limits — shipping multiple books home is often cheaper than airline excess baggage charges. Chocolate can melt in hot luggage compartments — pack in middle of suitcase. Cheese is allowed in checked baggage but vacuum-pack for hygiene and freshness. Allow extra suitcase space when planning Dublin shopping — many visitors purchase an extra duffel bag for return trip excess.
Best Irish Souvenirs Dublin: FAQ
What is the best Irish souvenir to buy in Dublin?
An authentic Aran sweater from Carraig Donn (€120-200) is widely considered the best Irish souvenir — distinctively Irish, high-quality, useful, and lasting. Premium Irish whiskey (€50-100) is the second most popular choice. Both are authentic, well-made, and impossible to find quality versions of outside Ireland.
How do I know if my Aran sweater is authentic?
Look for “Made in Ireland” certification on the label and check for hand-knitted pattern variations (machine-knitted sweaters from international manufacturers have perfectly uniform patterns). Authentic Aran sweaters cost €120-250; suspiciously cheap (€30-60) sweaters labelled “Aran style” are usually machine-knitted abroad.
Where can I buy Irish whiskey in Dublin?
The major Dublin distilleries (Pearse Lyons in St James’s Church, Teeling on Newmarket Square, Jameson at Bow Street) all sell their whiskeys. Mitchells & Son and Celtic Whiskey Shop are dedicated whiskey retailers. The Irish Whiskey Museum shop and Brown Thomas have extensive selections. Dublin Airport duty-free is the last option for tax-free purchases.
What is a Claddagh ring?
The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring featuring hands holding a heart topped with a crown — symbolising friendship (hands), love (heart), and loyalty (crown). The ring originated in the Galway fishing village of Claddagh in the 1700s. Authentic versions carry an Irish hallmark from the Dublin Assay Office on the inside of the band. Silver €30-100, gold €150-1000+.
Can I bring Irish food back home?
Most Irish food souvenirs are shelf-stable and travel well: vacuum-packed Sheridans Cheese, smoked salmon, Irish soda bread mix, Butlers Chocolates, Bewley’s tea, McCambridge’s soda bread. UK and EU imports unrestricted. US imports have some restrictions on raw dairy — check destination rules before purchasing perishable items.
What Irish books should I bring home?
Classic recommendations: Joyce’s Dubliners (more accessible than Ulysses), Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, Yeats’s Collected Poems. Contemporary: Sally Rooney’s Normal People, Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song (2023 Booker), Anne Enright’s The Gathering. Available at Hodges Figgis bookshop (Ireland’s oldest, founded 1768).
Should I buy souvenirs at Dublin Airport?
Dublin Airport has good duty-free for last-minute Irish whiskey, Guinness merchandise, and basic souvenirs at competitive prices (no VAT). For quality Aran sweaters, Claddagh rings, and authentic Irish design, buy in city centre shops which have better selection. The airport is a backup if you didn’t complete shopping in town.
How much should I budget for Dublin souvenirs?
For a typical Dublin visitor: €200-500 covers a good mix including 1 Aran sweater, 1 whiskey bottle, books, chocolates, and small gifts. VAT refunds on purchases over €75 reduce effective cost by 15-20%. Premium shoppers may spend €1000+ on luxury Brown Thomas designer items or rare whiskey collections.
Keep Reading
- Dublin’s Best Bookshops — A UNESCO City of Literature’s independents, antiquarians and deep Irish-literature sections.
- Dublin Shopping Centres & Department Stores — Eight major centres plus the department stores — retail, food courts and cinemas under one roof.
- Irish Fashion & Design: Where to Shop in Dublin — Simone Rocha and Orla Kiely alongside the emerging designers and the tweed-and-wool craft houses.
- luxury shopping — a related guide from elsewhere on the site.
