Our coasts and seas are a huge part of our identity across Ireland. They’re a source of inspiration, adventure, and calm.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered this guide to celebrate the brilliant creators, artists, and producers from all around the island who are inspired by the ocean.
Whether you’re buying for a book lover, a foodie, or a wild swimmer, here are some fantastic ideas that bring a piece of our coast home.
Books
Available in all good bookshops
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Irish Seashore: A guide by Lucy Taylor, a Kerry-based marine biologist, and Linda Fährlin, an artist inspired by the north-west. It explores the nature and wildlife of Ireland’s seashore.
Beneath Irish Seas: The Hidden Wonders of Ireland’s Amazing Marine Life: A stunning visual journey by underwater photographer Nigel Motyer, revealing the vibrant biodiversity and compelling natural drama of Irish waters.
The Coastal Atlas of Ireland: A comprehensive tribute to the Irish coast, with contributions from over 100 authors exploring the coast from physical and social perspectives.
The Complete Book of Wild Swimming in Ireland: By Paul McCambridge and Maureen McCoy, this guide will inspire you to discover new locations for swimming, diving, and snorkelling in dramatic bays, secret coves, and serene rivers.
Ireland’s Islands: A photographic journey by Carsten Krieger and Richard Creagh exploring the landscape, history, heritage, and wildlife of Ireland’s offshore islands.
Fa Bhruach an Chladaigh: Taisce Tearmaiochta Farraige: Taisce téarmaíochta farraige Gaeilge/Béarla, le samplaí úsáide tógtha ó iascairí agus lucht mara fá chósta Chúige Uladh. (Irish-English Dictionary of Marine Terminology. A repository of nautical terminology in Ulster Gaelic with examples of usage taken from fishermen and seafarers along the coast of Ulster, by Cormac Mac Giolla Easpaig.)
Food
Wild Irish Seaweeds Ltd: This fourth-generation family business in Co. Clare sustainably hand-harvests organic seaweed. They offer foodie gift boxes, smoothie blends, and culinary seaweed. wildirishseaweeds.com
Connemara Seaweed Company: A family business from Connemara offering exceptional organic seaweed products, including food items, beauty sets, and health supplements like Irish Moss capsules. connemaraseaweedcompany.ie
Islander Rathlin Kelp: Founded by Kate Burns on Rathlin Island, this innovative business sustainably farms kelp and offers an award-winning range of kelp pesto, tapenade, and relishes. islanderkelp.com
Achill Island Sea Salt: This family-run business from Achill Island revives the island’s lost tradition of salt production. They hand-harvest 100% natural, artisanal sea salt flakes from the Atlantic. achillislandseasalt.ie
Green Ocean Coffee: This sustainable coffee company directly links your morning cup to the restoration of oyster beds through the Dublin Bay and Clew Bay projects. greenoceancoffee.ie
Óir Tonics: Founded by Edel Breslin in Co. Clare, Óir Tonics’ flagship product, the ‘Moss Boss Tonic’, is a functional health drink crafted from sustainably sourced, organic Carrageen Moss. oirtonics.com
Crawford’s Rock Seaweed: A family-run seaweed producer in Northern Ireland, wild-harvesting seaweed for food, seasoning, and wellness. crawfordsrockseaweed.co.uk
Kombucha Na Dálaigh: A small-batch Irish kombucha producer in the Donegal Gaeltacht, brewing traditionally with organic teas and exploring the use of seaweed from the Donegal coast. adalaigh.ie
Jewellery
Martina Hamilton: An award-winning jewellery designer from Sligo. Her “Seashore” collection is handcrafted in silver and gold, with designs mirroring the patterns of the Wild Atlantic Way. martinahamilton.ie
Ardmore Jewellery: A mother/daughter team from Ardmore, Co. Waterford, creating handmade, sea-inspired jewellery with pieces cast from shells found on nearby beaches. ardmorejewellery.com
Atlantic Rose Jewellery: Handmade jewellery by designer Emma Thorpe on the Causeway Coast, inspired by geology, sea glass, and coastal heritage. atlanticrose.co.uk
CRÉ Luxury Jewellery: A collection by Ireland Exclusive celebrating the Wild Atlantic Way with 15 signature pieces depicting iconic points from Malin to Mizen. irelandexclusive.com/collections/cre-luxury-jewellery
Lu and Mol: The Sea Lovers’ Collection features pieces inspired by Ballymoney beach, including marine searope bracelets, beaded surfer necklaces, and deep blue stones. luandmol.ie/collections/sea-lovers-gift-guide
Álainn by Lyndsey: Founded by silversmith Lyndsey Bowles in West Cork, Álainn is a sustainable jewellery studio committed to zero-waste practices. Her designs feature sea glass hand-picked from local beaches, capturing the natural beauty of the coast by transforming tidal treasures into wearable art. alainnbylyndsey.ie
Art and Photography
Sharlebe Kemple Ceramics: Sharlebe creates handmade ceramic wall art and jewellery on the west coast of Ireland. sharlenekempleceramics.com
Kathryn M Crowley: Tipperary native Kathryn M Crowley uses paint, pencils, seaweed, and other media to make colourful paintings inspired by the ocean. Kathryn also creates mandala art using seashells, seaweed, and stones. kathrynmcrowley.com
Sea Studio: Founded by Co. Wicklow sea swimmer Niall Meehan, Sea Studio captures the unique feeling of being in the Irish Sea through fine art prints, books, and calendars. seastudio.ie
Adam Rory Porter Photography: A fine art landscape and astro-photographer from Inishowen, Co. Donegal, capturing the beauty of the area’s land and seascapes. adamroryporter.com
Michelle Owens Art: A small family business from Skerries, Co. Dublin, creating unique sea glass pictures using glass collected by the family on local beaches. michelleowensart.ie
Homeware
Current: Quick and simple to read, a Current Tide Clock counts down the number of hours until high and low tide, so you can plan your swims and trips to the sea efficiently. currentclock.ie
Isabel’s Place: The “Ocean Lover Collection” brings together a curated selection of beautiful, sea-inspired gifts and homewares for those who feel a strong connection to our coast. isabelsplace.ie/collections/ocean-lover
Atlantic Craft NI: A traditional basket-weaving studio by Louise and Trevor McLean, inspired by the rugged coast and incorporating driftwood and seaweed into their willow baskets. atlanticcraftni.com
Viking Marine: This Dún Laoghaire sailing shop offers a wide selection of practical and decorative nautical gifts, including tide clocks, barometers, model boats, and seafaring-themed homeware. vikingmarine.ie/collections/nautical-gifts
Beauty Products
Rí Na Mara Irish Seaweed Cosmetics: Based in Galway, Rí Na Mara’s beauty products are made in Ireland with Irish-sourced seaweed, packed with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. rinamara.com
Wasi Seaweed: Based in Bantry, West Cork, WASI revives the ancient wisdom of seaweed remedies, using ethically hand-harvested Irish seaweed to create natural and nourishing skincare. wasi.ie/
Seamoss Sublime: Dedicated to high-quality, sustainably sourced sea moss from Co. Clare, Seamoss Sublime creates concentrated gels, gummies, and capsules. seamosssublime.ie
Experiences
Irish Adventures Dingle: An outdoor activity provider on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry, specialising in guided sea kayaking tours to explore Dingle Bay’s coastline and sea caves. irishadventures.ie
West Cork Ocean Tours: Based in Union Hall, Co. Cork, these boat tours focus on discovering West Cork’s stunning coastline and diverse marine life, including dolphins, whales, and seals. westcorkoceantours.ie
DK Connemara Oysters: This tour provides an educational and culinary farm tour in Letterfrack, Co. Galway, where visitors learn about sustainable oyster farming and can sample the produce. dkconnemaraoysters.com/oyster-tours
Sea Kayak Ulster: An adventure company offering sea-kayaking expeditions around Northern Ireland’s coast, including the Causeway and Strangford Lough. seakayakulster.com
Atlantic Irish Seaweed: Based in Derrynane, Co. Kerry, this business, run by John and Kerryann Fitzgerald, offers sustainable seaweed discovery workshops and tours. They also create unique “Sea-Wares,” including striking cutlery with handles made from storm-cast kelp stalks. atlanticirishseaweed.com
Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours: Based in Co. Kerry, these tours offer fantastic opportunities to see marine wildlife like whales, dolphins, and puffins around the historic Blasket Islands. marinetours.ie
Castle Espie Wetland Centre: WWT Castle Espie offers a family day out with nature, wetland wildlife, walking paths, bird hides, and a sensory garden, for both action and relaxation. wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie
Strangford Lough Activity Centre: Based in Co. Down, this adventure centre offers a wide range of land and water activities on the lough. Experiences include guided kayaking and paddle-boarding tours, e-biking, axe throwing, and unique events like “Sunset Paddle & BBQ” tours. strangfordloughactivitycentre.com
The Skelligs Tour: These boat trips from Derrynane Harbour offer a landing tour that allows visitors to stop on Skellig Michael for 2.5 hours, exploring the 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage monastic site. The return journey provides close-up views of Little Skellig, the world’s second-largest gannet colony. skelligtours.com
Wild Atlantic Surf Co: Established by Andrew and Jillian Marsden, Wild Atlantic Surf Co creates premium outdoor gear inspired by the rugged Wild Atlantic Way. wildatlanticsurfco.com
We hope this guide gives you some inspiration for your Christmas shopping. Supporting these local businesses means supporting our coastal communities and the talented people who bring our ocean heritage to life.
Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh.
