8 iconic Irish designers to check out this Christmas

Fiona Frawley

Looking for a bitta gifting inspo?

If you’ve got a loved one who absolutely adores unique pieces from Irish designers, it can be a bit daunting trying to track down these brands yourself and find the perfect gift. But gals, that’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a beautiful list of some excellent Irish designers for you to check out this festive season – whether you’re looking for a Christmas jumper made in Crumlin or a tea towel etched with Erin McGregor’s infamous voice note, these iconic creators have you covered.

Aoife Dooley

Comedian, writer and illustrator Aoife Dooley may have been busy this year just casually writing a novel (Frankie’s World, an authentic window into living with autism that’s definitely worth checking out), but she still found time to design a gorge collection of jumpers, prints, phone covers, mugs and so much more, all of which would make stunning Christmas gifts. Have a browse HERE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW3t7EhMpDG/

The Dirt Bird

You’ve probably seen The Dirt Bird’s iconic “Gas Bitch” beanies on cool heads all over the place, and there’s so much more to discover from her bright and colourful collection. Hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts and decorative plates and tea towels, all perfect presents for the Gas B in your life. Have a browse HERE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW6c325MbIc/

Jill and Gill

Jill and Gill’s immaculately designed artwork and apparel pay homage to some of the most unique and inspirational ladies in culture, from Grace Jones to Dolly Parton. Browse their beautiful pieces HERE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVX2bpPsK4K/

Seeking Judy

Seeking Judy apparel is colourful, unique and fun, with an emphasis on being eco-conscious and working with recycled and often hand-dyed pieces. Have a browse in their Dundalk or Dublin stores, or ONLINE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWItU0KMWws/

Hen’s Teeth

Hen’s Teeth new line of merch dropped this month, and in keeping with their vibe its playful, bright and extremely aesthetically pleasing. Have a browse in their Dublin 8 store or ONLINE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJs5vcs6Q8/

Fatti Burke

One does not simply mention Hen’s Teeth without mentioning Fatti Burke, especially after her incredible The Snug installation there over the summer, a love letter to Irish traditional pubs. With an equal amount of love Fatti pays homage to other Irish institutions such as Banshee Bones, billy roll and that one Boyzone poster we all had in the 90s. Browse her work HERE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXQZXK3sWNw/

Lil Bits

A good fleece should be on every Irish person’s Christmas list, and these handmade delights from the west of Ireland couldn’t be more perfect for keeping toasty and looking fab. Loads of different colourways and styles, have a browse HERE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CShFQIPsQ-0/

Banana Berry

Colourful Christmas jumpers available for kids and adults, with a uniquely playful vibe. The company is committed to being as sustainable as possible, with all garments sourced from ethically approved companies. Have a browse of their beautiful pieces HERE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXGmwGOMlrH/

As always, when shopping with small designers in the lead up to Christmas remember there’s often just one person behind the scenes designing, making, responding to customer queries, taking care of social media and everything in between. Be patient, get your orders in nice and early, and generally be sound. That’s what Christmas is all about, after all.

Happy shopping!

Header image via Instagram/lil_bits/aoifedooley/