Uniquely Connemara

Here's a selection of gift ideas that are unique to Connemara!

For some foodie gifts of Connemara see my previous post  but here are some other uniquely Connemara Gifts that you can consider!

Books associated  with Connemara  from Clifden Bookshop. 
Paul Phelan's Connemara & Mayo walking guide has been getting some great reviews and it's the perfect present and a great incentive to explore the great outdoors.They have a great selection of locally themed books  so pop in for a look and maybe refresh your Connemara history as Clifden celebrates it's 200th birthday.

Famous for the Connemara Pony check out the Connemara Pony Breeders Society  pony associated gift ideas!  If you want to buy something really special for the horse mad person in your life then check out O Dalaigh Jewellers gold horsebit bracelet -more affordable than the Gucci version & made in Connemara!





 From T-shirts to hats for rainy days, surfing days, taking it easy days, pony days. mountain rescuing days  Conn has something to offer everyone. For adults & kids. Pop into the shop or check online  On December 31st at midday Conn is organising  a Loop-athon  to raise money for hospice. So you can get some fresh air before your New Year's Party and support a good cause.




Show your support on or off the pitch for your local teams! Pick up the Connemara RFC Calendar or head along to one of their at home matches.The Rugby Team are doing a sponsored on Christmas Day in aid of St Vincent de Paul so check out their FB page if you want to join in or sponsor someone on the day!


Head into Gannon Sports for your local GAA Jersey -from Clifden to Renvyle to Carna  they've got your colours and some other great sports gear on offer to kickstart your New Year's Good intentions!


For families why not get them a gift voucher that lets them have a day out in their local area. How about a family ticket for Inisbofin Ferry
where you discover the island all year round.  Kylemore have a Family Annual Membership Ticket there is something for all the family from nature trails to children's play trails,  donkeys, great food, wonderful scenery and history galore.

Bringing home the tuf TOT

Santa arrives in Connemara TOT

People all over the world rave about Connemara's beauty. The local Connemara Photography Club have been capturing some great photos of the Connemara landscape,  it's people & events. Check out their website as may of them have some of their masterpieces for sale! Then you too can you can bring some of Connemara's beauty into your home!

 


 That's just a few examples but put your thinking caps on and am sure you will come up with some unique gifts ideas. See my previous posts for a list of  gift ideas from other local shops many of whom have been serving Connemara for generations!

A royal feast or some gift ideas for foodies this festive seaon

Christmas time is a time of indulgence so why not prepare a festive feast fit for a king or queen. Invite your friends for a special feast or give some foodie gifts as presents...you'll always be welcomed back if you bring some food or a bottle with you when you are visiting someone. Check http://www.visitconnemara.com/or check the facebook page to keep up to date with all offers.

Let's start with the King of Fish and Connemara Smokehouse  have a delicious range of smoked fish products including salmon.  Traditional Smoked Salmon, Peppered Smoked Mackerel, Gravadlax (marinated salmon in salt, sugar, dill & Irish whiskey) Irish Line caught Smoked Tuna and Honey Roast Smoked Salmon. Hurry or you'll miss the boat as they are taking their last orders on Wed 21st. They ship their products worldwide and are included as one Rick Steins food heroes. Keep up to date with all their news on their facebook page. 

When you think of smoked salmon products you also think of Soda Bread and why not pop into Walsh's Bakery for some of their soda bread or check out their range of Artisan Breads. Once you're in there you will surely be tempted by one of their delicious pastries, mince pies or cakes. Revive your flagging spirits in the cafe with coffee & cake or why not have lunch. You will be able to get back on the shopping trail with renewed energy. Take a look at  this delicious Black Forest Gateau and all diet thoughts will be consigned to the New Year!

 

For all your grocery needs & more why not check out Kavanagh's Supervalu  where you can get great special offers on everything you need to make your festive feast a success. Great deals on all food and check the off license for great offers on spirits & beers to make your New Year's Party go with a swing. Supervalu also stock local food suppliers Walsh's Bakery & Connemara Smokhouse and they support a large number of local causes! 

Check out your local butchers for some great cuts of meat including  Connemara Lamb, award winning sausages & puddings. Get advice on cuts of meat and  tips on how to cook them. 

Ferguson's Wine has a great range of wines to suit all budgets so drop in for some advice on what best to match up with your menu or buy a special bottle of wine as a gift.

Tim O' Sullivan from Renvyle House Hotel has created some great food products which would be a great addition to any festive feast or can be given as a gift. Apple & Rosemary Preserve, Tim's Salad Dressing, Renvyle Picnic Chutney, Red Onion Marmalade, Sweet Chilli Sauce or how about some Good Morning Marmalade to put a bit of zing in your step!  His 'At home in Renvyle' is a great cookbook to dip into and makes the most of the great produce available in the local area and makes a nice present!  

Why not consider some wonderful handmade chocolates  handmade by the nuns in Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore Christmas Pudding & Brandy Butter, Jams, Chutneys are just some of the products available at Kylemore Abbey

Some people are prepared to drive for miles to eat out in a top rated restaurant or bar. In Connemara we have several on our own doorstep.
The Michelin Inspector has rated O'Dowd's in Roundstone with a Bib Gourmand & it's the Sunday Independent Connacht gastropub of the year 2011 so why not treat someone to lunch or dinner there or even better treat yourself!  A gift voucher for a local restaurant or hotel is a good idea as it means someone gets to treat themselves and if you are lucky they may even invite you along to share! See our entertainment options post for more local restaurants.

 

 

 

Setting the scene for the banquet is very important. Check out local potter  Alan Gaillard  for some great oven to tableware, dinner sets, tableware, ornamental, lamps and one off pieces!

At Whistlestop you will find some great pieces  to set the scene with a great selections of Gifts & Household Accessories

  Create an atmosphere with Candles and King's Siopa has a great range of Candle Displays as well as a huge range of other gift ideas. 

Say it with flowers and Connemara Florist has a great range of Christmas Wreaths & other displays prefer to decorate your 'palace' or to give to someone as a gift.

So that's just a few ideas to get you thinking about Food Glorious Food and some of the great shops & products that are on our own doorstep!

Presents for a Modern Day Prince!

Presents Fit for a Prince .....

 Our modern princess is hoping to find herself a prince under the mistletoe but in the meantime she has been daydreaming about what he will be like. No fairy godmother to give her a clue but let's hope the frog turns into a prince. In the meantime she has been sourcing some gift ideas that may suit him in Connemara. There is some great value in local shops at the moment and some great gift ideas to suit all hobbies & interests. Check out Facebook or Visit Connemara for some great special offers. 'Like' the pages for the shops included in this as you can't afford to miss the latest updates on special offers & sales events.

If he aspires to be like  Rory McElroy or Darren Clarke on the golf course  why not buy a voucher for some green fees at Connemara Golf Course  or buy some golfing gear in the shop for him.

Whether a novice or experienced fisherman a day's fishing with Blue Water  fishing is a great gift idea.
Tackle can be hired on board & John will give some great tips so hopefully none will get away!!  So instead of watching him sitting on the couch watching River Monsters why not send him off to do his own hunting where he can catch Blue Sharks, giant Tuna or over 20 other varieties of fish! Check out their facebook page for details. 





For the football fan or rugby fan wear your your local colours with pride. Gannons have it all from Renvyle to Cashel and lots of other sports gear as well.  If your prince wants to impress you  by doing a 'haka' like the Connemara Team  at the  Fashion show then who'd refuse! Get the gear in store or online   & they've also re-stocked their sale room ..so what are you waiting for?

If your prince has an adventurous spirit then surely he will find a Conn-O Mara T-shirt to suit.  For a wannabe mountain climber why not a mountain rescue T-shirt. If you want him to get a grip why not say it with these Ice Picks. Check out the large range of  Conn T-shirts,caps, outdoor & walking equipment  in store or online and become a fan on facebook as Conn always has a nugget of wisdom for all his fans!

Stanley's will set your prince up with fishing gear, wellies & a variety of other gear. They have fishing licenses & fishing bait as well. Great deals to be had in their sale room as well.

Every prince needs a Christmas Jumper but not of the cringe variety. Check out Hehirs for a great selection of men's clothing for any occasion including some jumpers that you'd be happy to your prince in! Great value special offers now in store!

Every prince needs to be suited on occasion -why not add finish touches with a tiepin or cufflinks from O' Dalaighs. Check out the options instore or view the lastest on their facebook page






If your prince comes up a bit short in the style stakes why not give him something to aspire to! If he's offended by the fact that you think he needs some style tips  then give him a selection of sweeties from from Ohh by Gum as a peace offering. You could also  buy some wool and head along to Knitter Knatter to get some helpful hints on how to knit him something! Check out the sock pattern on the Ohh by Gum FB page.

Whatever your prince is into you are sure to find something to suit his interests at Clifden Bookshop. There's a great selection  of Connemara themed books including the latest by Tim Robinson or re-acquaint yourself with the history of Clifden as told by Kathleen Villiers as Clifden prepares to celebrate it's 200th birthday. For a list of other Connemara themed books check this link or better still call into the shop & browse!





That's just a few ideas to get you started but check out shop facebook pages and websites or even better pop in and say Hello -you can't beat the personal touch of your local shop!