We recently came across a post that said if every in Adult in Ireland were to swap just one gift from a big business to a local Irish one, we could collectively put over €200 million back into Irish businesses and creators.

Shopping local means backing the people, families, and small businesses that bring character to your community. Every purchase strengthens the local economy, creates jobs and helps keep towns thriving. It also helps to foster creativity in independent businesses, directly supporting people to make their dreams a reality.

So this Christmas, we’re proud to champion shopping locally, and we’d love to encourage you to do the same, when you can! We’re delighted to highlight some brilliant Irish makers and independent shops we’ve worked with or admired from afar. We also asked you, our amazing community, to share the Irish and local businesses that you're supporting this year!

If you’re looking for special gifts, here are some wonderful places to support....
 

Food, Coffee & Sweet Treats

🦊 Fat Fox, Greystones, Wicklow - Warm and welcoming vibes only! Come to Fat Fox for a coffee & a baked treat, stay for the warm welcome and a cosy seat by the stove. Their gift hampers, merch, coffee or gift card all make great gifts - PS, did you know they are also going to be our new neighbours in Greystones?!

☕️ Bean in Dingle. Kerry - Our good neighbours, friends and Dingle town’s unofficial fuel source! Check out the Outwest x Bean Adventure Beans and mug bundle or their tasty Christmas coffee blends. Or for the full experience, check out their newly opened roastery tour.
🧁 Floury Apron Café, Ballincollig, Cork - Fresh bakes and small batch treats, with a Christmas menu you can pick up right until Christmas eve (special shout for the cookies that can be left for Santa)! Thanks to Grace for sharing this. 

🍩 O’Conaill’s Chocolates, Cork - Beautiful handmade Irish chocolate and hot chocolate blends. Thanks Grace!
🍫 Éalu, Dingle Peninsula, Kerry - Artisanal chocolates from a small Irish maker on the edge of the Dingle Peninsula. Thanks @mstack_02 for the great addition!

🍫 Brona Chocolates, Listowel, Kerry - Handmade small batch chocolates, gift hampers and truffles. Thanks @mstack_o2 for this.
🌿 Valentia Island Vermouth, Kerry - Ireland’s first multi award winning vermouth made using Valentia Island botanicals. We love Anna & Orla, co-founders and powerhouse couple, and have welcomed them to our store for the Dingle Food Festival for the last few years!

🍳 Dingle Cookery School, Kerry - Gift vouchers and classes for food lovers. (Michelle's favourite!). Ran by local Dingle hero and TV chef, Mark Murphy.

☕️ Annes Café, Camp, Kerry / Inch Coffee, Kerry - Two of the best in the west! Stop off here for pastries and coffees to fuel up your shopping (or your outdoor adventures) in the lead up to Christmas. Thanks Nora!

🐶 Dingle Doggo - Sweet treats for your pooch! Check out Susie's range of healthy and natural dog treats and Christmas treat box.
 

Arts, Crafts & Creatives

🕯️ Bread & Weather, Wicklow - Plant based candles, soaps and scents, handmade with love in Wicklow by founder Ella. Thanks to Jenny for this rec!

🎨 Deborah Maguire, Co.Meath - Producing beautiful watercolour and ink artwork, plus calendars and cards. Shout out to Joan for this rec!
🧘 Ground Wellbeing, Cork - Irish wellness and ritual products, founded by Péigín Connolly who began the business from her kitchen table in 2020 after many years in the spa industry, now with many impressive awards and stockists across the country! Handmade in Cork. 

🕯️ Be Kind Industries, Wicklow - Slow made incense and wellness tools, with each scent mirroring a mountain range in Ireland. (we love Glendalough!)

🎨 Jason O Gorman, Cork - An expressive Irish artist doing some very cool illustrations, check out his prints & badly drawn collection!

🎭 The Everyman Theatre, Cork - Gift vouchers and shows for theatre lovers. Thanks to Grace for this!

📸 Sea Studio, Greystones, Wicklow  - check out Niall’s amazing photography of life in and around the sea, with incredible prints and 2026 calendar. www.seastudio.ie
🏺 Niamh Hynes Pottery, Lisnagry, Limerick - Beautiful, homemade ceramics. Thanks Aoife, for the rec!
🧴 Sugarloaf Botanics, Wicklow - Laura, a nurse turned herbalist creates these wildcrafted skincare and botanicals from the slopes of the Sugarloaf. Thanks Sandi for sharing!

🧶 Kerry Woollen Mills - Traditional Irish wool products from Kerry. Thanks for the reco, Susan!
🕯️ Dingle Candle, Kerry - Locally made candles inspired by the peninsula. (We LOVE the Christmas tree scented candle! 🎄)

🧘 InishLiving - Founded by Christina Foley, a chartered phsyio, pilates and rehabilitation expert, InishLiving is a wellness and lifestyle brand, focused on sustainability and offering luxury wellness items. Also a B Corp business!

🩱 Lillymais, Dingle, Kerry - you might know Lillymais from their huge bright spacious store right down on the Dingle marina, offering quirky tie dye clothing, hats, ponches, dresses - all with circularity at the heart made with repurposed cotton towels and end-of-line fabrics. 

For Outdoor Lovers

🏃🏻 Buff Barrier - Anti blister and anti chafing balm from natural oils for any runner, hiker or outdoor explorer.  Recommended by Patrick!
🧂 Altar Nutrition Speed Dust - Natural electrolyte and performance blend. So popular, there's a reason why Conor and his team recently sold out entirely at the Dublin Marathon Expo!

🏃 Eos Elite - founded by Lorcan Healy, with a background in sport and business, he's created a range of products related to all things performance.
🥾 Kerry Climbing - Give the gift of adventure in the Kingdom! Check out their gift vouchers for guided adventures in Kerry. 
👯 Soul Stuff Adventures - Trips, retreats and ultra special outdoor experiences around Ireland and abroad, led by Outwest ambassador Sarah Casey. 
🐬 Dingle Sea Safari, Dingle, Co.Kerry - Boat wildlife and coastline tours - a truly unforgettable experience.

🌊 Wild Waves Adventure, Fenit, Kerry - Take an adventure coasteering along the Wild Atlantic Way with John & Michaela - featuring SUP sessions, kayaking and all kinds of sea adventures. Thanks for recommending this, Nora!

 
Something Sparkly

💍 John Fitzgerald Jewellers, Tralee, Co. Kerry - Beautiful jewellery from a trusted family jeweller, established in 1984. Thanks to Sarah for this rec!

💎 Collected Jewellery, Harolds Cross, Dublin - Curated vintage pieces selected by Elva. Recommendation from Michelle.

🖌️ The Messy Brunette, Tipperary - Hand painted jewellery by Maura in Tipperary. Thanks @aoifecquig for sharing this one!

Beauty & Health

🧴 Seabody, Kerry - Science led skincare powered by ocean plants from Kerry. (We LOVE the Aquasurge day serum and eye cream!). Founded by Dr.Helena McMahon, Bioscientist and Innovator.

🪥 Spotlight Oral Care - Irish oral care gifting sets, founded by two Irish Dentists - Dr Lisa & Dr Vanessa.

Gift Shops & Departments

🎁 Faerly (Online) - Thoughtful sustainable gifts, with tonnes of choice!
🎁 By Design, Castletroy, Limerick - A beautiful shop, featuring local Irish makers and designers all under one roof. Thanks Aoife for sending us this one.
🎁 Kathleen McAuliffe, Dingle, Kerry - One of our favourite Dingle shops for clothing, accessories and candles.
🎁 CC Creatives, Waterford - Award winning gift shop with Irish and international makers. Thanks to Joan for this recommendation!
👞 Michael Gleesons Shoes, Limerick - Family owned shoe shop in operation for over 40 years, with expert fitting and advice, now run by Dervala, daughter of Michael. Thanks for this rec, Avril!
🎁 Industry & Co, Drury Street, Dublin - award-winning concept store, focused on homeware and lifestyle goods in the heart of Dublin City, run by brother and sister, Vanessa and Marcus.

Whether you’re browsing for gifts, supporting Irish makers, or treating yourself after a long year, we hope this guide helps you discover something special. 

At Outwest, we’re incredibly thankful for the support we receive every year, from the wonderful people here in Dingle to visitors, friends, and our community across Ireland and beyond. Every person who walks through our doors, shops online, or shares a kind word has helped shape Outwest into what it is today.

Thank you for supporting local - and for supporting us. It means so much!

The Outwest Team