Around the linen, contemporary creators
Just as they brought the art of distillation from the Orient, the Celts are said to have brought linen weaving from Egypt. They grew linen, which they wove and dyed to make tunics. The "Irish" of the Iron Age (800 BC) ate wheat, barley, peas and beans. Later, the Wild Geese crossed paths. Catholic earls driven out of Ireland take refuge in France, Spain and Portugal. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 condemned the Huguenots to flee. Louis Crommelin (1652-1727), born in Amiens in Picardy, went into exile in Ireland in 1668. There, he established the first linen weaving mill. In 1705, he opened a second factory in Kilkenny, industrializing the centuries-old tradition of linen weaving.
Even today, the art of weaving linen is one of Ireland's jewels in the crown. You'll still find tea towels, handkerchiefs, fine linen sheets, embroidered or not, damask linen tablecloths, curtains and very elegant, even avant-garde, linen garments. Designers dare to use traditional know-how to serve their imagination. Blends of linen yarn and merino wool for splendid plaids or table runners. Young designers are launching colorful, contemporary and refined collections of embroidered linen tablecloths and napkins.
Here are a few favorites: embroidered napkins in homage to Irish vegetation; Jennifer Slattery's extremely delicate "Herbarium", "Irish Wildflower" or "Summer Meadow"; Orla Kiely's tea cosies..
For even more pleasure, take a look at the Home decoration and Art de la table departments at Dunnes and Avoca stores in Kilkenny.
Eternal, timeless and so very Irish
Let's start with traditional sweaters from the Aran Islands. These sweaters, entered in New York's MoMa along with 110 other objects because they have had a "profound impact on the world over the last century", are still in fashion today. Their distinctive stitch combinations make each sweater unique. More than ever, the quest for wellbeing, protected tradition, responsible elegance and authenticity puts these sweaters in the spotlight. Be demanding: your sweater must be 100% knitted in Ireland, and in a high quality yarn.
The most traditional sweaters are made from báinín (undyed woollen yarn) in its natural color and soft texture, the foundation of your wardrobe. In color: gray, green, purple, saffron, brown, in hues often obtained naturally from moss, lichen, heather, in cotton, in linen, it becomes the piece you can't do without. More than ever, Irish sweaters from the Aran Islands are a gift for life.
Irish Tweed, in the colors of Ireland
It's impossible to miss these splendid tweed caps. Perhaps you've never noticed that some tweed garments are also marked "Irish Tweed" or "Donegal Tweed". It often makes a big difference. In April 2022, the European Commission confirmed the granting of geographical protection to traditional craft and industrial products, to tackle counterfeiting and boost local craftsmanship. Murano glass, Limoges porcelain and Donegal tweed will thus be recognized for their quality and respect for tradition. In Ireland, Donegal weavers have long supplied woollen cloth (Donegal Tweed). Farmers raise sheep here, from which they harvest the wool. Farmers dyed this wool using local plants such as blackberries and moss. The quality of Irish wool is unrivalled, and of course, the resulting shades of color are like no other. Although Donegal tweed originated centuries ago in Ireland, it has traveled and carried the gentleman farmer style around the world. Today, tweed garments for both men and women can often be found on the catwalks of Milan, the catwalks of Paris, or the runways of New York. Caps, hats, jackets, long skirts, suits, vests, scarves, bags and plaids are all popular. Tweed is a natural, high-end, lively, original and contemporary material.
Irish whiskey: the rebirth of "Uisce beatha
Whiskey was born on the island in the 10th century, with monks first distilling the perfume, thenUisce beatha (Gaelic for brandy). Uisce, pronounced uisque, is the origin of the word whiskey.
It soon found its way onto the tables of the courts of Europe, but the performance of the whiskey trade - with an "e" for Irish - in general, is marked by the vagaries of Irish history. The Bushmills distillery claims to be the oldest legal distillery still in operation, with the deed to the right to distill dating back to 1608. The Irish whiskey trade enjoyed great renown before the country's independence.
In the 19th century, there were over 1,000 distilleries in Ireland, with the 5 largest in Dublin. It suffered greatly from British protectionism, then from Prohibition in the United States. An almost fatal blow was dealt by a gigantic fire in the Liberties, Dublin, on June 18, 1875. The fire broke out at 8:30 a.m. at Malone's, a warehouse where 5,000 barrels of pure whiskey were waiting to be refined. The fire quickly spread to other warehouses. The distilleries and surrounding housing were engulfed in flames as the whiskey flowed past. The Liberties all the way to Coombe were flooded. It was a hard blow, but not fatal! The Irish whiskey trade had a difficult time of it. A century later, Irish whiskey, true to its history, thanks to the determination of young entrepreneurs, is gradually regaining its place in the whiskey world. In less than a decade, the number of distilleries in Ireland increased 10-fold: today, more than 40 distilleries invite you to enjoy, in moderation,Uisce Beatha made in Ireland. You'll be spoilt for choice, and take home a whiskey that may surprise you, but will surely delight you. Triple distillation is carefully monitored to ensure that it remains relatively low and retains all its subtle aromas: toasty, honeyed flavors. To qualify for the Irish title, whiskey must be aged for at least three years, often in wine, bourbon, sherry or rum casks. As time goes by, old Irish whiskeys are once again available, and enthusiasts are discovering or re-discovering the excellence of Irish Whiskeys.
A gourmet basket for real gourmets
Ireland is an agricultural country par excellence. And it shows at the table. It's no longer just about eating, but about pleasure and health. More and more, in Ireland, the culinary professions are giving meaning to food: impact on health, on the landscape, on animal welfare. On tasters' know-how.
Cheese. Dairy farming, with herds raised on grass all year round, provides cheeses that are rich in protein, omega 3, vitamin K2 and taste. Discover Guinness cheddar, which, as its name suggests, is a mature cheddar with Irish Stout streaks; Cashel blue, a blue with character; and Gubbeen, a soft, washed-rind farmer's cheese.
King salmon. Don't forget that Ireland is also home to the king salmon. No, you don't know what smoked salmon is until you've tasted real, wild salmon. Give yourself an exceptional gift: it's fine, it's delicious. It's an increasingly rare delicacy, and it should stay that way. The Irish government imposes a quota on wild salmon fishing.
Fudge. Don't leave Ireland without a packet of fudge. You've already enjoyed some excellent caramels, but have you ever sucked on Irish fudge? It's very tasty. If you try Mella's fudge, a traditional fudge made with care in Clonakilty, it's velvet. You'll find it almost everywhere in Ireland, but only in the best Delicatessens.
Tea. You're bound to enjoy a nice cup of tea at any time of the day or night. So take home a nice tin of tea. They come in all shapes and colors, sober or highly decorated! Don't forget to keep an eye out for the markets, where you'll find a wide variety of producers and artisans.
Tradition: the art of Irish craftsmen
Don't leave without taking a tour of workshops, boutiques and small markets to find a piece of jewelry that's original, delicate, contemporary and yet so representative of the skills of Celtic goldsmiths. Have you seen the work of ceramists and potters: the smallest clay mug becomes a beautiful object. If you're in Ireland, you might also fall in love with the violin-maker's workshop, because you play the violin! He plays with that little squeak that many people don't hear. Those who have heard it once are still waiting for it. There's no traditional Irish music without that je-ne-sais-quoi of the Irish fiddle. Isn't that the sound of the heart? Oh yes, you'd fall for a Bodhrán, that drum with its distinctive sound, due only to the dexterity of the musician who masters the instrument. And why not a light tin whistle, an indispensable pocket flute for the next musical session?
