Autumn is upon us and as temperatures fall it’s time to prepare to keep warm in the winter ahead! Fortunately, the knitters and weavers of Ireland have spent generations perfecting their craft.
Aran sweaters, tweed jackets and caps, and lambswool or mohair throws are just some of the iconic Irish products ideal for the season. But today’s makers have also applied contemporary design, building on a heritage of quality and craftsmanship. Often drawing inspiration from the beauty of the island’s land and seascapes, designers are creating new and exciting styles. Fashion-forward styles and color trends are well represented in apparel and homewares today.
Your local Irish or Celtic shop is a showcase of Irish craft. Visit them to explore the traditional and contemporary products of Ireland and other Celtic nations. From knitwear and tweeds to jewelry, crystal and pottery, to Irish foods and beverages, the heritage continues – take a look and see what’s new!
These shops are members of the North American Celtic Trade Association. Visit them for the best selection of quality Irish products, and look up the location nearest you here.
Oxford Hall Celtic Shop
233 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA
Oxford Hall was opened by Tom and Barbara Washburn in 1985. The first Oxford Hall was located in the Washburn’s beautiful family Victorian home in New Oxford, PA. The shop sold a wonderful selection of Irish woolens, jewelry, and fine gifts as well as Irish Antiques. The original shop closed in 2006.
In 1991, the Washburn family opened the current Oxford Hall in historic New Cumberland, PA. Now in its third and largest location at 233 Bridge Street, the shop features an Irish and UK import Shop, Celtic Jewelry Store, Religious Gift Shop, and even an Irish & English Tea Shop. Visitors can find their favorite Imported Teas, Frozen Foods and beautiful Irish Wool Sweaters. They can have a bite to eat in the café which features Meat Pies, Pasties, and Scotch Eggs as well as enjoying a Full UK/Irish Breakfast.
Oxford Hall is near many of the tourist destinations in Central PA and is located right off several major highways. Ownership has passed to Steve and Cindy Washburn, the second generation of the family and they have also been joined by their son, Seth who they hope continues to be a big part of the growing business.
Irish Traditions
141-143 Main Street, Annapolis, MD
Irish Traditions is Maryland’s premier importer of fine jewelry, clothing, home accessories, food and gifts from Ireland and Scotland. Their products are of the highest quality and reflect the rich heritage of the Celts. Besides offering an endless variety of jewelry, knitwear, Highland apparel and gifts, Irish Traditions provides guidance on incorporating your Irish or Scottish heritage into life’s celebrations including baptisms, graduations, weddings and holidays. Kilts and other tartan wear are available for purchase or for rental. For those who want to experience Ireland or Scotland first hand, they offer travel arrangements for independent or escorted trips.
Proprietor Margaret Barry McLemore opened Irish Traditions in 2005 and is located in Annapolis, the state capital and home of the United States Naval Academy. A first-generation American with roots in Counties Kerry and Clare, Margaret is dedicated to celebrating Ireland’s rich history of culture and craft. Traditional knitwear and tweeds are married with contemporary design to offer apparel of renowned Irish quality in today’s styles. Fine jewelry reflects the craftsmanship handed down for generations and tells the story of Ireland’s history and artistry. Irish Traditions also caters to those of Scottish heritage, offering traditional highland kilts and tartan accessories in hundreds of Scottish clan tartans, military tartans and Irish tartans. They also provide kilt rental for weddings and other occasions.
There is something for every taste and budget and for every member of the family at Irish Traditions. Visit them online at IrishTraditionsOnline.com or when in Annapolis, stop by in person for a warm Irish welcome.
Celtic Treasures
456 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY
Celtic Treasures Irish Gift Shop is located in beautiful downtown Saratoga Springs, New York which is home to the Saratoga Race Course and thoroughbred horse racing.
Upon entering, you are treated to the soothing sounds of Irish music, which puts you in the perfect state of mind for further exploration of one of the largest importers of Irish Gifts in Upstate New York.
Owners Paul & Antoinette O’Donnell work directly with Irish gift distributors to bring the largest selection of unique and hard-to-find Irish gifts to their store and the Web. of our incredible selection of Irish Gifts.
The staff of Celtic Treasures are a warm, friendly bunch of folks if there ever was one. Customers are always guaranteed to find a helpful hand (usually the hand of someone named Barb . . . there are several!) around to find things in the store, and to answer any questions.
Celtic Treasures staff is committed to providing their visitors with the best customer service and believe that whether shopping for Irish Gifts in-person or on-line, customer satisfaction with the Celtic Treasures Irish Gift shopping experience is their number one priority.
The next time you’re in Saratoga, stop by for a visit!
Basic Irish Luxury
127 Swinburne Row, Brick Market Place, On Thames Street Newport, RI
1-800-854-ERIN (3746)
BASIC: Forming a starting point; the essential principles of a subject or skill:
IRISH The Irish people are a nation and ethnic group native to the island of Ireland, who share a common identity and culture.
LUXURY: The state of great ease and comfort…
The craftspeople that work with BasicIrishLuxury in Ireland and the Celtic nations create products that contain the criteria spelled out in our name. BasicIrishLuxury was founded 40 years ago on a very simple premise, whether luxury in your mind is simply a great cup of tea, maybe a cozy handmade throw or cape or a slightly extravagant piece of jewelry they bring it to you at the highest available quality and always at the best possible price. Whether shopping in their stores or at BasicIrishLuxury.com you can be assured you will receive the very finest customer service. The knowledge and expertise that four decades in the Basic Irish Luxury business affords them comes free with every purchase. Store in Newport is open everyday at 10AM (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Years Day) Brands include Boru Jewelry, Hanna Hats and Keith Jack.
The Twisted Shamrock
3074 12 Mile Road Berkley, MI
The Twisted Shamrock is an Irish/Celtic shop located just outside Detroit, Michigan in the charming community of Berkley. They carry a wide array of Irish goods, specializing in Irish-made jewelry, sweaters, and capes. Visit them online at www.thetwistedshamrock.com, on Facebook @TheTwistedShamrock, or on Instagram @TheTwistedShamrock.
Recent visitors to the store loved it:
"I love this shop. It has so many beautiful things. I especially love the ceramics and glassware, but they have clothing and textiles, looks, artwork, home decor, stained glass, jewelry, and so much more. I was just in the other day and they had a great selection of Christmas ornaments and decorations, too. I don't live in the Detroit area, but stop through every three months to visit a friend, and always make sure to visit the store and pick up something new on every trip!" Adrienne Huffman, visiting from Normal, Illinois
"Great cultural gifts! I love the wool products and the wide variety of jewelry Jim carries. Love the atmosphere, the conversation, the soft and exquisite wool products -- just the entire shopping experience. Go...you won't be sorry." Jeanette Micallef, Utica, Michigan
The Twisted Shamrock features leading clothing and accessories, with brands such as Mucros Weavers and Hanna Hats, and jewelry and giftware from, McHarp Crosses, Solvar, Keith Jack, and Boru Jewelry.
Find them all and more at The Twisted Shamrock, Berkley, MI.
A Lit'le Irish, Too
9 Chambersburg Street, Gettysburg, PA
For the past 15 years A Lit'le Irish, Too has become the Irish heartbeat of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They draw in patrons from near and far as Gettysburg makes the perfect day trip or family vacation. Whether you are full blooded Irish or just a little Irish too, they have something for everyone in every budget.
At, A Lit’le Irish, Too, they carry beautiful Irish knit sweaters and handmade Irish caps. They also have fresh scented fragrances and delicious Irish foods that will make you feel like you are right there in Ireland.
If you are looking for something with a little more sparkle A Lit’le Irish, Too brings in top knotch traditional and modern Celtic inspired jewelry designed and made in Ireland. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is always here to help you find the perfect Irish gifts. To see all they have to offer visit their storefront, shop with them online, or visit them at one of the many festivals they set up at. Don’t forget to follow them on social media for the latest promotions, festivals, and news.
Tara Gift Shoppe
250 Abbott Rd, Buffalo, NY
Tara Gift Shoppe, west NY's Original Irish Import shop, is located in the Irish Heritage District of South Buffalo. Founded in 1980, the store is named after the Hill of Tara, once the ancient seat of power in Ireland.
The store opened to provide the community with a selection of Irish goods. Their inventory includes the finest Ireland offers: Guinness Official merchandise, Irish Rugby clothing knitwear and hats/caps by Mucros Weavers and Hanna Hats, Solvar and Keith Jack jewelry, Emerald Crystal, pottery and much more. Over the years, Buffalo-themed merchandise, including officially licensed Bills and Sabres, items with an Irish twist has been added to reflect the area’s pride.
Around the High Holy Days, you can find all sorts of parade-wear to celebrate at not one but two St. Patrick's Day parades in Buffalo. The shop draws customers from across the country as they stop in to reminisce or check out the "old neighborhood". Their website, TaraGiftShoppe.com, provides our customers with a way to reach us when a visit is not possible.
Owned by Mary Heneghan whose father was from Kilmihil, Co. Clare and her husband Tom of Kilmaine, Co. Mayo; Tara is staffed by family and friends.
If it's Irish, the answer can usually be found at the Tara Gift Shoppe.
Tipperary Irish Importer - Celtic Jeweler
3956 State Hwy 2, Brunswick, NY
Tipperary at Tara Ltd. is a Celtic Jeweler & Irish Importer located in Brunswick NY. Owned by Tom and Murcia McGrath, it is among the oldest Irish shops in North America. “Our present retail location has been operated in the same location since 1979 although our families’ operations date back 1839 in Cohoes NY and The O'Day Brothers Livery and Store. So you can see our tradition of service is unmatched” says Tom McGrath. Tipperary Irish Importer stocks a wide variety of famous Irish brands like Keith Jack Jewelry, Bags and Clothing Accessories by Hanna Hats, Mucros Weavers and Lee River Leather, a Guinness store section, Croker Rugby tops, Bailey & Brooke candles, Simply Birch Throws, and much more
“Wonderful Irish shop family owned by the McGraths. We've been customers for going on 37 years now. Staff is very experienced, always so kind and helpful. Beautiful stock.... something for every age! My favorite place!” said customer Debbie Ayres Healy.
“The Tipperary is truly a family business!” according to local shoppers Jay Goetz & Heather Lynn “We enjoy shopping and are happy to support this local business. Tom and Marcia are always friendly and helpful and always go beyond our expectations to ensure complete satisfaction! We find unique gifts for family, friends and each other. “
