Hi everyone. I hope I find you all well and looking forward to the holiday season with your nearest and dearest. First of all, I just want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year from all of us here at The Irish Store. I also want to thank you all most sincerely for your continued support and loyalty over the past year-it really means a lot.
With the time of year that’s in it, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to take a trip around Ireland in all it’s Christmas glory- enjoy!!
Christmas In Ireland
1. Belfast
First up we’re heading up north to the city of Belfast. I think Belfast probably hosts one of the best Christmas markets in the country. This is due to the fact that it is located right bang in the middle of the city center. It also has the magnificent City Hall as its backdrop. This iconic Belfast building which first opened it’s doors in 1906 looks amazing at this time of year. Apart from all the great shopping at the market, you can also enjoy foods from around the world, sip a mulled wine or hot cider and take a slide down the vintage helter-skelter!
2. Galway
Time to head west to the vibrant City of Tribes. With it’s winding streets festooned with twinkling lights, Galway is brimming with festive cheer. There’s nothing like a warming hot port or Irish Coffee in one of the many cozy pubs after a day of Christmas shopping. Galway also boasts its very own atmospheric Christmas market on Eyre Square.
3. Killarney
It wouldn’t be Christmas in Ireland without a visit to the Kingdom of Kerry. In Killarney, they kick off the Christmas season in style with their Big Magical Christmas Parade. Of course Santa Claus is the guest of honor! Mini-parades continue each week throughout December to keep that festive spirit going.
4. Waterford
Heading cross country to the south east now. Waterford boasts Ireland’s largest Christmas festival. Winterval runs for the month leading up to Christmas. The wealth of festive fun on offer includes the Santa Experience, the Winterval Express Train, the Horse Drawn Sleigh and Winterval on Ice.
5. Dublin
So we simply have to end our Christmas In Ireland trip in the capital. Of course I am biased as it’s my hometown and The Irish Store headquarters are just up the street from the iconic GPO (pictured) But really, for me there’s nothing quite like the festive atmosphere in Dublin. I just love the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street and Henry Street thronged with shoppers.
Other highlights include Carols by Candlelight at Christchurch and the Moving Crib which takes me back to my childhood.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season!
Take good care,
Slán go fóill!
Lulu
22 comments
Thanks so much Lulu for the brief tour of Christina in Ireland. My wife and I visited several years ago and loved everything about it. Her family is from Tipperary so it was especially meaningful for her. Again, thanks for the trip.
John & Honora Berninger
Hi John,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for reading.
Happy New Year!
Lulu
Thank you Lulu for making us part of your mythical and wonderful Ireland. We are already on our calendar of family vacations to visit Ireland next year. A very happy Christmas.
Hi Angelo,
I hope you had a very Happy Christmas too! Thanks so much for your kind message and I hope you have a wonderful time when you visit Ireland.
Kind regards,
Lulu.
Thank you Lulu, I brought a group to Ireland a few years ago for St. Pat’s day and had the best fish & chips and the weather was perfect for taking in all the sights throughout the country. Bought my first coatigan in Dublin. Fond memories. Cheers, Pat Gardner – Oak Harbor, Washington
Hi Pat,
Thanks so much for reading and it’s great to hear that you had such a great St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland!
Happy New Year!
Lulu.
Lovely decorations in all your cities. You all seem to know how to do it up right!
Thanks for reading Mary Jane.
Happy New Year!
Lulu
Merry Merry and Happy Happy to you and your staff, Lulu!
I must say, I’ve been a customer from the States for some years now, and it’s been on my Bucket List to get to Ireland for a visit. Four years ago I was diagnosed out of the blue, and without prior, stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. I recently moved from upstate NY to central FL due to the increased bone pain. Statistics are 3-5yrs from point of diagnosis. I just hit my 4yr mark mid-September. I am Blessed to be alive, Blessed to have made it to FL, and Blessed that my son, who recently turned 20yrs old, moved with me. I am Hopeful that I will make it to Ireland for a visit. I have a decent amount of Irish in my genes!! In the meantime, I will enjoy my Coffee Mugs that I bought myself for Christmas!! Hope you have a great Holiday and Thank You for sharing such gorgeous pictures!!
Hi Melissa,
Thank you so much for your good wishes and congratulations on your recovery. i hope it continues and that you get to Ireland soon! We’ll be waiting to give you the warmest of welcomes!
Happy New Year!
Best regards,
Lulu
Lulu Thank you so much for this lovely tour – you have no idea how delighted I was to see Ireland! I have just done a DNA test, (at 80 lol) and find that I have some Irish blood in my veins – so was really excited taking you tour.
I have not received my earrings yet – they say Dec 28 so too lake to wear them for Christmas lol – but know they will be a favourite!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and may The New Year bring you many Blessings.
Roni Campbell
Hi Roni,
So glad you enjoyed the tour and I hope you enjoy your new earrings!
A very Happy New Year to you and yours,
Lulu.
You’ve just convinced me that a Christmas in Ireland should go onto my bucket list. Thanks for the idea!
Happy 2023,
Frances Erin Fitzgerald (Williams)
Hi Fran,
So glad you enjoyed the blog.
A very Happy New Year to you!
Lulu.
Love, love, love Ireland. I visited many years ago with my friend Barb. Wish we could have had longer in your beautiful country. Merry Christmas from Canada to you and all your staff and best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year.
Geri
Hi Geri,
Thanks so much for the good wishes and I hope you get to come back and visit us again,
A very Happy New Year to you and yours,
Lulu.
Thank you for sharing Christmas in Ireland. My family and I love everything we have ordered and received many complaints on our sweaters, jewelry and even our house shoes. I have contacted your store a couple of times and was met with very polite and helpful staff.
Hi Angela,
Thanks so much for your lovely comments. So glad you’re enjoying The Irish Store
Happy New Year!
Lulu
I took my Mother to Ireland many years ago. Her grandparents came from Louth (Rowe) and Monaghan (Martin). We had a marvelous time and visited among many spots among them was The Rock of Cashel. I just purchased your men’s V-neck one button sweater and simply adore it! I really want to purchase an Irish (button) tweed vest. Perhaps you can recommend one for me? Happy Christmas, Robert Rowe Snyder
Hi Robert,
Thanks so much for your lovely message. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and delighted you got to visit Thr Rock of Cashel- it’s a very special place. So glad you’re happy withh your sweater and I can highly recommend the following vest from The Irish Store.
https://www.theirishstore.com/men-s-herringbone-irish-tweed-waistcoat
Thanks so much for your custom and all the best for 2025!
Kind regards,
Lulu.
Merry Christmas Lulu and team,
As an Irish-American who has visited Ireland twice, I am a grateful customer and greatly value your company. Many blessings and prosperous year ahead.
Hi Kathy,
How lovely to receive your kind message. So glad you’re enjoying The Irish Store – that really means a lot. All the very best for 2025.
Kind regards,
Lulu