The Sligo Gift Guide 2022

Welcome to the Sligo Gift Guide 2022. There are so many fantastic businesses in Sligo, and it’s so important to shop local if you can. This guide will also be handy for those outside Sligo too, as many of the businesses are online and offer nationwide delivery. I put a call out on my social media channels, and these are the people who got in contact with me.

Ed Lee Photography. A beautiful selection of Sligo landscape photos and canvases, posters, Christmas Cards. Orders generally fulfilled in the same working week. 50% of the proceeds of my card sales this Christmas go to North West STOP Suicide Prevention Services. Webstore: eddielee.ie Popup Gallery Store: Unit 15 (Opposite Boots) Johnston Court Shopping Centre Sligo, until Xmas 2022.

Ribbons & Roses by Cara. Cara has been a professional florist for over 15, she has previously featured in Confetti Magazine & One Fab Day for her wedding work. Now Cara creates beautiful one of a kind bespoke handmade faux wreaths & arrangements.  All the wreaths tell a story, and the story is in the name. Cara offers nationwide delivery. Shop here: https://ribbonsandrosesbycara.com/

Mindful Nona is created by local artist Oonagh B. McCann, an illustrator of mindful, whimsical, naïve pen&ink art.  All of Oonagh’s work, be it her Mindful Nona & Spirit Animal Friends, her Mindful Moments pyrographed pieces or her CeltoiCroí amulets, all hold a mindful message, specific to the piece, AND for the art collector. To see more of Oonagh’s work, visit The Weir Gallery, Sligo [nextdoor to Osta Cafe] or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oonaghbmccann.mindful.nona/ You can also email Oonagh at ob.mccann@gmail.com

Voya Seaweed Baths. Step into the festive spotlight. Introducing VOYA’s Show Stoppers Festive Collection. These luxurious body and lifestyle giftboxes will please everyone on that Christmas list. Gift vouchers also available. www.voyaseaweedbaths.com

From the Ground Up 2020 is located in Tubbercurry and supplies the finest local artisan products. Hampers are in full swing for the festive season and not to be missed. Enjoy a hot chocolate or a cappuccino in the new seating area and watch the world go by. You can also find a wonderful selection of curated homewares and gifts, and you can avail of a gift voucher, if you can’t decide what to buy. You are guaranteed service with a smile from Jenny. Find the shop on Facebook

The Gratitude Journal by Michelle McLoughlin. A lovely journal for you to record your gratitude, ideas, tips and thoughts. You can order it directly from Michelle for €10 plus postage, WhatsApp 0876674534, or buy online.

Maddy’s Sweet Treats offer delicious home baking from a HSE approved kitchen. A full dessert list is available for Christmas Eve delivery here. Maddy has a weekly stall at Rathcormac market and will also be in Quayside shopping centre the 2nd & 19th December. To preorder phone Maddy!

Soak is an Irish award winning wellness range crafted with 100% Atlantic sea salt, Irish seaweed and herbs from my Soak garden along the Wild Atlantic Way in Sligo. The wellness range helps with sleep, muscle recovery, stress and mood through the power of sea therapy. The award winning range includes essential oil candles, bath soaks and body scrubs. Kaz is passionate about supporting the community, this is what €1 of every bath soak solf goes towards a mental health charity. This year the charity is Liquid Therapy, a surf and sea therapy charity based in Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal. Shop here: https://www.soakbathsalts.com/

Sligo native, designer and digital artist Paul Gillen returned home to the north west to live in 2021. Inspired by the Sligo landscape he set up his online shop this year for his original artwork. Paul creates unique, minimalist illustrations inspired by Sligo past and present featuring the likes of Knocknarea, Benbulben, W.B. Yeats and the Old Gaiety Cinema. Paul’s also has other collections inspired by music and football. paulgillen.com/shop

Dog Training Gift Voucher. Does your dog try to charge out the front door every time you open it? Does your dog jump up on every visitor that comes into the house? All training is tailored to suit the dog and is done in the form of short, easy fun games that just takes a few minutes per day. If you, or someone you know, needs to get their dog Christmas ready get in touch for a Gift Voucher today! Contact Anthony at North West Dog Training on 085 261 0726 or email madratrainer@gmail.com Or find out more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Madratrainer

Looking for something to delight & surprise this Christmas season? Kate’s Kitchen have curated all of this year’s best sellers, from mainly Irish producers & seasonal treats from afar, carefully packaged them up in their luxury gift boxes ready for you to give and them to enjoy. All available to order online and instore for delivery or collection. www.kateskitchen.ie

Liber is more than a bookshop. It is a local and independent award-winning bookshop in the heart of Yeats’ country. We stock a wide range of local interest titles – from cooking with surfers and foraging for seaweed to everything you want to know about Yeats. We also stock all of the best-selling books along with a large back catalogue, including vinyl. Liber offer a fast and efficient special ordering service. www.liber.ie

Award-winning author and poet Shane Leavy invites you to join his creative writing workshops at the Glencar TeaSHED, between Sligo and Manorhamilton, for eight sessions, each Wednesday evening from 7-9:30pm, starting 22nd February 2023. Suitable for both beginner and more experienced writers, Shane uses positive, guided feedback to create a friendly and encouraging environment and to help writers practice and experiment with writing. Book €180, or €160 early bird if paid before 1st February, write, make friends and become a better writer! Email sligoleitrimwriters@gmail.com to book.

The Ocean Sands is an award-winning 4-star hotel nestled on miles of pristine 5KM beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Enniscrone, Co. Sligo.  This Christmas they have lots on offer from gift vouchers, perfect to redeem towards a beach break, a visit to their Ocean Spa for a treatment or a delicious meal. New this December will be The Christmas Pantry at Ocean Sands Hotel. Talented Chef Marcin Szczodrowski has created a beautiful range of treats and preserves ideal as gifts or to take home and enjoy this Christmas. You’ll be spoilt for choice between handmade chocolates, mince pies, macaroons and more. Available at Waves Café and at our Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday December 11^th. https://theoceansandshotel.ie/

The Party Animal Collection by Nut Job Design will see Fat Robin, Pól O’Bear, The Stag, Pesky Penguin and the Night Owl all visit your home for the festive season. Each little character will fill your home with wild nights, rocking around the Christmas tree having a happy holiday. All  products are designed and made by Orla in her workshop in Strandhill, Co. Sligo. Check out the medal holders, family height charts and more: https://nutjobdesign.ie/

Sligo Weekend’s made sweeter. Brian of McG Cakes has created a Luxury Bakery & Coffee Hatch that now opens each weekend at Ballintogher, Co Sligo. Hatch 22 now also offers freshly baked pastries, indulgent cakes and confectionary on the counter to go with Full Circle roast coffee. The Christmas collection, which includes hot chocolate boxes, candles, ginger bread, a wide variety of cakes, and more, will be available to order for Christmas from the start December at www.mcgcakes.ie 

The Glasshouse, Sligo’s Four Star city centre based hotel with fantastic views of the Garavogue River. This is the perfect downtown location for your Festive Gatherings. Serving food from 12pm midday, they are the ideal location to meet up with friends. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or a relaxing afternoon tea, gift cards available: https://secure.theglasshouse.ie/bookings/vouchers

Treasures Forever by Ann. Suncatchers or Shadow Frames for all Occasions, photos and charms can be added for the personal touch. If it can be done, Ann will do. Examples include: New Home, Wedding, Memorial, Grandparents, Teachers, Health care workers, and hundreds of others. Order via Facebook, or visit Ann at the Rathcormac Market every Saturday until Christmas.

All Things Natural have a wide range of eco-friendly Christmas ideas. Choose from incense, oil burners, skin care, bathing products, and so much more. If you can’t decide what to get, have a chat to Edel and she will be happy to recommend something. Call to the shop at Market Cross, Sligo town, or shop online: https://www.allthingsnatural.ie/

A gift voucher from Sligo Office Supplies would be an ideal gift for your family and friends – they can choose some lovely Stationery items or put it towards an Office Chair or Desk. You will find the shop in Finiskiln, near Lidl, or shop online: https://www.sligoofficesupplies.ie/

A Time for Reflection this Christmas. The beautiful Reflections collection by Martina Hamilton has been expanded to incorporate three stunning new designs, available in time for the festive season. Designed by Martina Hamilton and made in Sligo, the inspiration for the collection came from the shimmer of sunlight reflected in dark rockpools and tidal eddies found at a beach close to Martina’s heart. The new designs are exclusively available from www.martinahamilton.ie or from The Cat & the Moon in Sligo.

Sharlene Kemple Ceramics has added some floral pieces to her collection in 2022 including ‘Daffodils’, ‘Féileacáin’ and ‘Rósanna Fiáine’. All of these plus a wide range of Sligo scenery in various sizes are available to view and purchase from ‘The Cat and the Moon’ in Sligo Town and more options from around the country can be ordered via  www.sharlenekempleceramics.com 

Brendan Tierney School of Motoring. Learn to Drive Online with a Xmas Online Voucher. A perfect Gift for the learner driver in your house. The online video course has over 40 videos, learning flash cards and more which include lots of driving tips and even drive along videos of the Sligo Test Routes. These are ideal for someone who can’t practice between lessons and will work no matter who your instructor is or where you are in the country.
Vouchers available at www.brendantierneyschoolofmotoring.com and go to Online Videos section.

The Jam Pot Cafe in Grange have some beautiful hampers made up full of Irish products. There are hampers to suit all budgets, and if you prefer you build your own hamper just pop in and chat to their friendly staff. You can also buy vouchers. Find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafethejampot

Give the gift of creativity this year! SG Art Shop is the ultimate gifting spot for the artist in your life. With a huge range of artist brands, including Winsor & Newton, Rembrandt, Faber Castell, Derwent, and so much more, you’re sure to find the perfect gift! The retail shop in Carraroe is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturdays from 12noon – 5pm. You can also shop online here: www.sgeducation.ie with super fast delivery and in-store pick up available. 

Creatively Rewired. Sligo artist Rosie Farrell set up Creatively Rewired after rediscovering her love of art following a diagnosis of MS in her mid 20s. Rosie works part-time as a designer with Irish Country Living, the weekly magazine with Irish Farmers Journal. She has also featured regularly in the national media, including RTÉ’s Big Life Fix and Nationwide. Rosie says: “I am proud to identify as disabled and I believe it gives me a unique perspective on the world and my artwork is influenced by this. My paintings draw inspiration from the natural world and the landscape around me. Nature reminds me that everything is transient, including my own health, and this brings me comfort. It helps ground me. I hope that is what my artwork can do for you too – that you can lose yourself in one of my paintings and find a moment of peace.” Visit www.creativelyrewired.com or visit Rosie’s Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/creativelyrewired

Chanel’s Holistic Practice is based in the Hawaii Salon, Quayside Shopping Centre. Prebooking is essential, call 086 2140836 or email lifecoachcarney@gmail.com appointment only.  For Christmas gifts a taster massage can be purchased for €20 limited to first 30 bookings only.  ITEC and CIBTAC qualified massage therapist.  Massage is not a luxury it is a way to a happier healthier life. Find out more on Facebook.

Allure, Quayside Shopping Centre, Sligo www.allureonlineshop.com 0719153353
Open 7 Days & 24/7 Online – Allure, Sligo, Instore & Online, offers a wide range of Beautiful Gifts for everyone. From Trinkets, Ornaments, Decorations, Jewellery, Watches, Guess Handbags, Scarves, Homewares, Candles, Lighting and much much more, there really is something for everyone! Nationwide Delivery also available! 

The Love Sligo voucher scheme has over 50 participating businesses in Sligo town. The gift card will be available to purchase in 6 locations in Sligo: Centra, Sligo Credit Union, Wards Pharmacy, Eason (O’Connell St), Healthwise Pharmacy Connaughton Road and the Sligo Tourist Office at O’Connell Street.
Vouchers can be purchased online now at LoveSligoCard.com.

Cawley’s Guesthouse, Tubbercurry. Treat your loved ones with a gift you know they’ll love. Cawley’s gift vouchers are available to purchase over the phone, for collection or they can be posted out free of charge.
You can pick the value of your vouchers so you can give the gift of everything from a delicious meal to a night away. Call Teresa on (071) 918 5025 to purchase.

Give the gift of laughter with tickets to the SO Funny Sligo Comedy Festival. Taking place from 14th – 18th of February in various locations in Sligo town. The line-up includes Neil Delamere, Sharon Mannion, Kevin McGahern, and more. See all the details and buy tickets here: https://www.sofunnysligo.com/

Aran and Maeve from Outcrop bring their favourite landscapes to life through their layered 3d maps. Each map is crafted from premium bamboo, a great gift for that hard to buy for person. Visit them in Branley’s Yard, Rathcormac or shop the full range online Website: www.outcrop.ie

The Hobby Shop features a wide range of toys and crafts for kids, Irish-made games & puzzles and art supplies like the Elements 108 Piece Mixed Media Wooden Set featured above. They can be found at 47 O’Connell Street in Sligo Town or at www.hobbyshop.ie where they offer click and collect as well as home delivery.

Me! Last but not least, a little mention for my own Etsy shop. You can find a selection of paintings, cards, and prints, including the Robin above, €10 from every print will go to Hilltop Animal Sanctuary, so you will be helping the animals, as well as supporting me. Shop here.

Thanks so much to everyone who has taken part in this gift guide, it’s wonderful to have such a great range of products and services, and there is something for everyone. I hope you all enjoy supporting the businesses who have joined in.