Father's Day gift guide: 14 Irish-made ideas and experiences for every budget

From Cork-made gin and classic cars, to retro socks and sustainable sunnies - Nicole Glennon has you covered
Father's Day gift guide: 14 Irish-made ideas and experiences for every budget

Some of Nicole Glennon's picks for Father's Day.

Sustainable sunnies

1. Inchydoney sunglassees from CRANN, €79
1. Inchydoney sunglassees from CRANN, €79

Off the back of that Bank Holiday, we're all pining for a cool pair of shades for the summer. Treat Dad to a pair of sustainably sourced sunnies made from recycled wood. Stylin and Profilin' Da. 

€79, crann.co

A good tipple

Bertha's Revenge Gin
Bertha's Revenge Gin

Using whey alcohol from local dairy farmers in Cork together with natural well water and an interesting mix of locally foraged and exotic botanicals, hand-crafted gin Bertha's Revenge from Ballyvolane House will go down a treat - and give ye all something to google at the dinner table. 

Bertha's Revenge Gin, €46 for 70cl, ballyvolanespirits.ie

Cheeseboard perfection

SLATED Shandon Bells board, €65
SLATED Shandon Bells board, €65

Founded by husband and wife team Ed and Tara Hammond, SLATED create beautiful slate home-ware inspired by tradition, and one of their latest ranges is the Landmark collection which includes the stunning Shandon Bells slate in a homage to one of Cork's most famous landmarks.

Use it as a cheeseboard and serve up a feast after a trip to On The Pig's Back cheese and charcuterie stall in the English Market. 

Shandon Bells slate €65, slated.ie

Gorgeous grooming 

The Handmade Soap Company Men's Bitter Orange & Pink Pepper gift set
The Handmade Soap Company Men's Bitter Orange & Pink Pepper gift set

Meath-made The Handmade Soap Company has just launched its first-ever complete men’s range with a beard oil, hair and body wash, shaving gel, after-shave balm, soap, and a 100% compostable deodorant. Fragranced with pure essential oils such as pink pepper and bitter orange, this might be Dad's best-smelling grooming kit. We'd definitely take it over Lynx Africa.

Prices range from €7 to €18, thehandmadesoapcompany.ie

A vintage drive

Carton House's Classic Car Experience
Carton House's Classic Car Experience

Is your dad a vintage car enthusiast? If you've got the cash to splash (or maybe a large pool of kids to chip in), Carton House has a unique luxury gift for this Father's Day. The Classic Car Experience from the five-star Fairmont hotel gives you the chance to explore Kildare and Wicklow in a classic car of your choosing, with options like a MGB Roadster and VW Beetle Cabriolet. You’ll be provided with a gourmet picnic to enjoy on the journey, with an overnight stay in a Fairmont Garden Wing room, plus breakfast and dinner in Kathleen's Kitchen, also part of the offer. 

Starts from €925 based on two people sharing, cartonhouse.com

Super socks

Auld Fella socks, €9, Irish SockSciety
Auld Fella socks, €9, Irish SockSciety

Look, it's not a particularly inventive gift, but Christmas, Birthdays and Father's Day have always meant a new pair of socks for our Da - and we think he might like opening them more than the gifts we slaved over. 

Auld Fella socks, €9, irishsocksciety.com

A good read

All The Things Left Unsaid by Michael Harding
All The Things Left Unsaid by Michael Harding

All The Things Left Unsaid, the latest book from playwright, novelist and Irish Times columnist Michael Harding won't disappoint. A vulnerable and beautifully wrought collection of insights into life, death, friendship and love.

Online exclusive price, €11.99, easons.com

Dad prints

Classic Irish Prints from White Wolf Design Studio, pack of 3, €18
Classic Irish Prints from White Wolf Design Studio, pack of 3, €18

A 3-pack of classic Irishisms from Kilkenny-based White Wolf Design Studio. A nice one for the TV room, home office, or wherever dad likes to spend time. 

Classic Irish Prints from White Wolf Design Studio, pack of 3, €18, etsy.com/ie/ShopWhiteWolf

The Shed

ColourTrend Paint Your Shed Kit
ColourTrend Paint Your Shed Kit

If his pride and joy is his shed, this Paint Your Shed Kit from Colour Trend will allow for the perfect summer refresh. The kit comes with one 3L tin of Wood Coat in your chosen colour (10 options), a paint brush, mini roller kit, sanding block and paper, can opener and lint-free cloth.

Paint Your Shed Kit, €99, colourtrend.ie

The world's best steak

Hawksmoor Sharing steaks with sides
Hawksmoor Sharing steaks with sides

One of the best steakhouses in the world, chain Hawksmoor has recently opened a 200-seater restaurant in the former National Bank on Dublin's College Green, serving up grass-fed beef, sustainable seafood and cocktails from €12. Steaks start from €26, and you'll have to pay extra for any sides (mash, chips, veg etc) or sauces (béarnaise, peppercorn etc), so this won't be a cheap night out. He deserves it though, right?

hawksmoor.ie

Suited and booted 

Oxford Button Down Shirt, €99, huntertreacytailors.ie
Oxford Button Down Shirt, €99, huntertreacytailors.ie

Sean Tracey’s made-to-measure wedding suit business came to fruition after he was left disappointed when his own made-to-measure suit didn't arrive in time for his wedding day. Now, Hunter Treacy Tailors have storefronts in Clonakilty and Dublin's Pembroke Street and promise to get you suited and booted with the perfect suit in 3 - 8 weeks. They also stock a range of ethically made, sustainably sourced garments including shirts, shoes and weekender bags. All of the products are designed in Ireland and made in Europe.

Oxford Button Down Shirt, €99; huntertreacytailors.ie

Retro football socks

Sic Socks' Italia '90 Box
Sic Socks' Italia '90 Box

Yes, it's socks again, but come on, they are Italia 1990 socks! 

€24.99, ebay.ie/e/special-events/sicsock

I'm a cool dad

Carpe Omnia t-shirt €49.95, cargo shorts €54.95
Carpe Omnia t-shirt €49.95, cargo shorts €54.95

The brainchild of Louth brothers John, 29, and Michael, 31, McKeown, Carpe Omnia is a new premium quality, on-trend Irish brand with an array of t-shirts, cargo pants, varsity jackets, jeans, hoodies and shorts to choose from. Perfect for that pre-holiday shop. 

Carpe Omnia t-shirt €49.95, cargo shorts €54.95, carpeomnialifestyle.com

A day out together 

Kaleidoscope Festival at Russborough House, Wicklow
Kaleidoscope Festival at Russborough House, Wicklow

What could say 'I love you' more than a day out together? KALEIDOSCOPE festival prides itself on being Ireland’s first fully inclusive family event, so it's perfect for bringing granddad, dad, and everyone in between. This year's line-up includes Nile Rodgers & Chic, Gavin James and Newton Faulkner.  

KALEIDOSCOPE 2023 takes place from June 30  – July 2 at Russborough House, Co. Wicklow, kaleidoscopefestival.ie

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