Most Irish gifts end up on a shelf. A shamrock mug, a tea towel, a box of fudge that’s gone by St Stephen’s Day. Lovely, but forgotten by February.
If you’re looking for Irish gifts that actually get used, think about the one thing everyone does every single night: sleep. A wool throw on the couch, a proper pillow, a duvet that keeps them warm in January and comfortable in July. As we like to say, some gifts get used once. A good night’s sleep gets used every night.
Below is our guide to Irish gifts for her and for him, all made from 100% traceable Irish wool from farms we know by name, with ideas for every budget and a last-minute option if Christmas sneaks up on you.
What makes a good Irish gift?
A good Irish gift does three things: it’s genuinely made here, it has a story behind it, and it gets used long after the wrapping paper is gone.
- Genuinely Irish. Plenty of “Irish” gifts are designed here and made elsewhere. Every Dooley’s duvet, pillow and mattress topper is filled with 100% Irish wool and made in Co. Offaly. Our throws are woven in Donegal from Irish farm wool.
- A story you can trace. Every product carries a QR code that links to the farmer whose wool is inside. Scan it and you’ll see exactly where the wool came from, often a farm just down the road from us.
- Built to last. Wool is naturally breathable and resilient. With a bit of airing now and then, it lasts for years, so it’s still in use long after Christmas.
Irish gifts for women
Whether it’s your mam, your sister, your partner or a friend who’s had a tough year, these are the gifts we see chosen for women most often.
A wool throw for the couch
Our Irish wool throws (€180) measure 140 x 160 cm, big enough to properly wrap up in, with soft fringed edges. They come in four colours: Classic Cream, Sea Green, Greystone, and Greystone with Cream Stripes. If you’re unsure of her taste, Classic Cream suits almost any room.
A pillow that suits how she sleeps
A wool pillow (€70, or two for €120) is a small gift that makes a real difference. Choose the fill by how she sleeps: Soft for front and back sleepers, Medium for most people, and Firm for side sleepers or anyone who likes extra neck support.
For the woman who always sleeps too hot
If she’s kicking off the duvet at 3am, a wool duvet can help. Wool draws moisture away from the body and lets heat escape, so it stays comfortable through the night instead of trapping warmth. We’ve written more about this in our post on menopause sleep problems and wool bedding.
For a bigger gift, the Sweet Dreams Set pairs a wool duvet with wool pillows.
Irish gifts for men
Men are famously hard to buy for. In our experience, the gift that goes down best is the one that gets used every day without any fuss.
A throw for the armchair
The match on a Sunday, the Late Late on a Friday, a nap after the dinner: a wool throw earns its keep. Greystone and Greystone with Cream Stripes are the most popular choices for men.
A firm pillow for side sleepers
If he sleeps on his side or props himself up with two pillows, a Firm wool pillow gives more loft and neck support. At €70 it also works well as a stocking filler for the man who has everything.
A mattress topper for a tired mattress
If he’s been giving out about the mattress but won’t replace it, a wool mattress topper (from €140) adds a layer of comfort and helps keep the temperature even through the night. It comes in sizes from single to superking.
For a couple, think about the bed they share. A king-size wool duvet or one of our sets is a gift they’ll both use every night.
Buying for newlyweds? Read our guide to Irish wedding gifts. Coming up to seven years? Wool is the traditional 7th anniversary gift, and we’ve put together some wool anniversary gift ideas.
Bedding as a gift has one catch: you need to know their bed size, whether they sleep hot or cold, and how they like their pillow. If you don’t, a Dooley’s Wool gift card lets them choose for themselves.
- Values from €50 to €450
- Arrives by email within minutes, ready to forward or print
- Add their name and a personal message
- Can be spent on anything in the range
- Never expires, so there’s no rush to spend it
It’s also the safest last-minute Christmas gift. Even on Christmas Eve, it arrives in time.
Ordering Irish gifts for Christmas
We dispatch orders the same day when they’re placed before 6pm. After that, delivery is in the hands of the courier, and in the run-up to Christmas couriers are at their busiest. To give your gift the best chance of arriving on time, please order by:
- Ireland: 20 December
- International: 18 December
We can’t guarantee courier delivery times, especially for international orders, so the earlier you order the better. Missed the date? The gift card arrives by email within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send an Irish gift to someone outside Ireland?
Yes. We ship within Ireland and to selected international destinations. You’ll see the shipping options and costs at checkout. For family abroad, a gift of Irish wool is a real piece of home.
What if I choose the wrong size?
You can return or exchange items within 30 days of delivery, as long as they’re unused, unwashed and in their original packaging. If you’re unsure, the gift card avoids the problem altogether.
How do you look after wool bedding?
Air it outdoors on a dry, breezy day, and spot clean with cold water and a mild detergent if needed. Don’t machine wash or tumble dry wool duvets, as washing can cause felting. Pillows can be refreshed with fluffing or a short, cool tumble below 40°C.
Do Dooley's gift cards expire?
No. Our gift cards never expire.
Still have questions? Get in touch or read our other FAQs.
From our farm to their home
Seamus Dooley started shearing sheep across the Irish midlands in 1950, and by 1955 he was buying wool directly from farmers. Today our farm, at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, is in its eighth generation, and we still buy our wool from farmers we know personally. Many of those relationships go back generations. When you give a Dooley’s gift, you’re giving something made by an Irish family from wool grown in Irish fields. Read our story.
Shop Irish wool gifts
About the author: Noreen Dooley runs Dooley’s Wool with Kevin Dooley from Ballyduff, near Roscrea, Co. Offaly, on the borders of Laois and Tipperary. The Dooley family has worked with Irish wool since 1950.
