Here are the top Christmas markets, where the houseproud will be buying their gifts this holiday.
Markets and pop-up shops offer a chance to meet makers and see, touch and feel handmade and small batch designs before you buy.
Each market or pop-up shop showcases Irish makers and designers. Shopping locally is a sustainable way to browse; you can inspect the craftsmanship and soak up the Christmas atmosphere.
It makes it super social.
Many of the events listed below feature members of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, whose Made Local campaign encourages consumers to look in their locale for gifts.
Here are 7 to explore:
Chocolate box choices in Dublin 1
Jando Unwraps a festive market at the Chocolate Factory featuring some of the city's top creatives.
Décor fans will love Kopper Kreation’s lighting, Sam agus Nessa’s candlesticks and cheeseboards, ceramics by architect and potter Stephen Richardson, Nordic-inspired tableware by Thomas Diem Pottery, KaroArt’s gorgeous butter dishes, bowls and sheep plates, covetable cards and stationary by All Around the Sun, Molloy & Sons throws, Ali and El miniature planters and textiles, Pickled Pom Pom crocheted stockings and felted Christmas decorations, and Jando’s beautiful prints
Jando and Friends runs at The Chocolate Factory on King's Inn Street, Dublin 1, from Friday, December 12th, to Sunday, December 14th, from 10 am to 7 pm.
Form your own opinions in Dublin 2
Form and Fable is a pop-up shop that stocks some of the most covetable Irish brands all in one place.
Andrew Luddick ceramics to decorate walls and shelves, high-end crystal by J. Hill’s Standards, for the whiskey lover.
Fermoyle Pottery, beloved by many of the country’s top restaurants, for everyday use and Mourne Textiles, a family-run business hand-weaving fabrics for fashion, furniture and furnishings.
It also sells rugs.
You can read more about the extensive range here.
Form and Fable is open at Mary Lavin Place Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays, and 11 am to 4 pm on Sundays, until Sunday, December 21st. The store is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Take a bus to Dun Laoghaire
Irish Pop-Up Collective will showcase Clover Rua’s prints, tea towels, bags and mugs, with prices starting from about €12.95.
Peruse exquisite, undulating vases, €150, and framed ceramic paintings that start from about €175, by Dobos Ceramics and Wizard and Grace essential oil candles, from €20.
Irish Pop-up Collective will be in situ at The Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, on Sunday, December 14th from 10 am to 6 pm.
Grey matter finds
Shop stocking stuffers, including handmade soaps with a design by artist Rasher, from Beyond the Ferns.
Prices from €9.50 for a cake.
La Luna Goodness offers fragranced body washes and lotions, from €17.95, and fragranced candles, €19.95, while the work of woodturner Declan McCraith includes small and large vessels and objects made from native hardwoods. Prices from €58.
Plaza Market Greystones will run from 11 am to 5.30 pm daily until Sunday, December 21st
Make a break for Wicklow Gaol
Within the walled courtyard of Wicklow Gaol, you will find many makers, including Sinead O’Moore Ceramics
Wicklow Wrapped runs Friday, December 12th, from 5 pm to 8 pm and on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14t,h from 10 am to 7 pm.
Galway girls and boys
Expect food and drink a plenty, but décor fans should make a beeline to Rachel Webb Ceramics, whose heart of gold keepsake dishes, €24, will light up a loved-one’s face while her little boxeen tealight holders, €48 each, glow from within.
Market down the West at Silke’s, 23 William Street, Galway runs Monday to Friday, from 11 am to 6 pm and weekends from 11 am to 8 pm until Tuesday, December 23rd
Real capital investments
At Republic of Work on Cork city’s South Mall, you can purchase Wizard and Grace smellies and Doctrine Skincare, formulated by cosmetic chemist Tracy Ryan, who, along with head of sales and brand, Mark O’Sullivan, and head of marketing, Caoimhe Donoghue, co-founded the company.
You can sample the wares too.
Try the infinite hydration gel cream moisturiser, €38, and invest in a squeeze key, an additional €5, to extract every drop.
The market at Republic of Work, 12 South Mall, Cork, runs today, December 10th and tomorrow, Thursday, December 12th, from 11 am to 7 pm.
