At GALWAYnow we are passionate about supporting local and urge our audience to do the same, especially for the festive season. Ireland truly has some of the greatest craftsmanship and design to offer and we have put together some of our top picks to make your Christmas gifting as easy as possible. Shop local, shop Irish this Christmas.
FASHION
NIAMH O’NEILL | @niamhoneill
Keep a stylish loved one warm this winter with Niamh O’Neill’s pure cashmere pieces. The label creates beautiful, high-quality garments that happen to be consciously and ethically made in the E.U. They believe that garment should only be worn for a season or a particular occasion, instead, clothing should be worn for ‘today, next year, and forever’. From dresses to sweaters to hats, Niamh O’Neill is bound to be the perfect gift.
MAGEE 1866 | @magee1866
Donegal heritage brand has a fantastic selection of pieces available that are certain able to cater to just about any gift receiver. Their timeless styles featuring exquisite finishing touches states undoubted luxury. With anything from jumpers to scarves to throws, Magee 1866 has got it all for whomever you are buying.
HUMAN COLLECTIVE | @humancollective
The recently launched brand houses a collection of sweatshirts and beanie hats. Their brand mission is to make their customers comfortable and create quality leisurewear with a cause. Their logo is an ‘equals’ sign to represent racial, gender, LGBTQ+, and opportunity equality. If that’s not enough, for every jumper sold they also donate €3 to three Irish charities – Sports Against Racism (SARI), LGBT Ireland, and the Irish Youth Foundation.
ACCESSORIES
NICKI HOYNE | @nickihoyne
Handmade in Spain, the inspiration behind the brand is fun, vibrancy, and a passion for well-made, slow fashion products. Nicki Hoyne found that the majority of eco conscious brands tended to be a bit bland thus her collection was born to combat that. The brand’s vision is to inspire people to love and cherish fashion as opposed to wear seldom wear a piece and then just throw it away. The glitzy and party-ready collection is bound to put anyone in festive mood.
PEELO | @peelo
The contemporary bag and accessory line creates modern luxury designs using premium materials manufactured by European factories and suppliers. The inspiration behind these stylish bags draws from architecture and design the juxtaposition of modern and vintage styles produce a new and improved collectable item to be loved and cherished for years to come.
AOIFE LIFESTYLE | @aoifelifestyle
If you’re looking for beautiful design and functionality, look no further than Aoife Lifestyle. The Irish luxury brand is a ‘company with a conscience’ making a conscious effort to be mindful of our finite planet. Aoife Lifestyle goods are made using regenerated materials and eco-friendly materials to ensure that there is minimal waste and pollution being produced in our consumerist society. The brand’s ethos is to promote a sustainable lifestyle by focusing on the beauty of nature and how precious it is. Aoife Lifestyle goods are Irish designed, Italian made.
JEWELLERY
HARTMANNS | @hartmanns
In time for the festive celebrations and paying homage to the story of an exquisite onyx polar bear produced by Fabergé in 1909, the Heritage Rose Gold Dark Blue Guilloché Enamel Polar Bear Surprise Locket available from Hartmanns is crafted from 18k rose gold with dark blue guilloché enamel and set with 15 brilliant cut white diamonds. Inside, in keeping with Fabergé’s penchant for surprise, a white gold polar bear encased in white enamel with black diamond eyes sits regally atop a glistening agate base. Fabergé’s Heritage Collection draws inspiration from its original jewelled masterpieces, capturing their refinement, cultural richness and technical perfection. The collection also features a special craft synonymous with the Maison – the art of guilloché enamelling, a perfect gift for someone special this year.
BY LEAHY | @byleahy
By Leahy is a handmade fine jewellery brand based in Galway. Founded by designer/maker Laoise Leahy, the brand is inspired by a special family necklace passed down through three generations of Laoise’s family. By Leahy creates personalised jewellery to be enjoyed every day, and in time, passed down to your future generations. Each item of fine jewellery is handmade to order. This slow and sustainable approach to jewellery making results in zero waste and produces a truly personal piece for each customer. The Signature Envelope Necklace, as pictured, is available in solid 9ct Gold, 18ct Gold, Rose Gold, or Sterling Silver.
BLACK RIVER SILVER | @blackriversilver
This gorgeous range of fine silver jewellery is handmade in Headford by Eithne Kenny. Eithne’s handcrafted fine silver jewellery is created from precious metal clay (coming from recycled silver), which is carefully moulded and shaped by hand, refined and then fired in a kiln, before being burnished and polished to perfection. The pieces are oxidized and given a final polish to highlight the details, before the finished items are then hung on sterling silver chains, ear wires, etc. This Tree of Life Pendant would make a wonderful meaningful Christmas gift, especially if a loved one has been lost during the year.
