Thread by @RobertBohan

This Christmas choose locally made gifts. This curated list reflects important Irish artists & craftspeople, whose works are unique, to celebrate the holiday season.

In buying from talented people you are helping keep art & crafts alive! Please share with your friends!

My original drawings are about joy, hope & love & celebrates the natural & subconscious worlds. It’s characterised by strong images & bold colours.

Each original work is in ink on paper & is 11.7 x 16.5 inches & ships worldwide. Buy here: etsy.com/ie/shop/robboh…

Vincent Keeling is a good friend of mine & a superb realist painter from Dublin.

Bruce Springsteen, The Boss, Canvas Print with Floating frame
Limited edition print from an oil painting by Vincent Keeling. Visit: vincentkeeling.com/collections/br…

Kate Knowles creates atmospheric images that are imbued with the sense of the Irish landscape. Kate is based in Laois & paints in oils as well as producing prints & working to commissions. You can purchase from kateknowlesartist.com

We Make Good is Ireland’s new ethical design brand. Craftspeople from disadvantaged & minority backgrounds come together to create beautiful objects that look great & support traditional Irish crafts from tinsmithing to cabinetry. Visit wemakegood.ie

Maia Mellier has designed this unique oracle game which comprises a set of cards that is also a tool for self-reflection & lateral thinking. Visit her site to learn more: moonbase.earth/products/the-d… .@MaiaMellier

Jon Dunn’s Orchid Summer is this year’s most enjoyable nature book. It’s beautifully written, widely available &, with working from home likely to inspire its use until next summer; a great guide to learning about British & Irish orchids. Visit: jondunn.com

I love stained glass & Dubliner Alison Byrne of the Wildbird Studio has some stunning objects that make great presents. She draws on light, shadow, colour, form & function. Alison is a master craftswoman. Check out wildbirdstudio.ie - you’ll be glad you did!

Tea & Whiskers goal is to brighten everyone’s day & with the artist’s range of cute colourful earrings you can see she brings happiness to earlobes everywhere! Visit Bríd’s Etsy shop: etsy.com/ie/shop/TeaAnd…

I really recommend Aidan White’s Living Earth Photography. He is based in Wicklow town & takes superb photographic images of Ireland, from dramatic coastlines to stunning lakes & mountains, that can be purchased on his site: livingearthphotography.ie/shop/ .@LivEarthPhoto

Éilis Murphy of Folded Leaf creates stunning hand bound volumes that make magical presents both to read & look at. They are utterly desirable.

Visit her website to see more details & her beautiful work: foldedleaf.ie

Stephen Nolan is another friend & painter. He’s based in Wexford & is probably Ireland’s most important painter of landscapes. He combines a keen eye with a documentary style & dry sense of humour. No one else captures the zeitgeist like him. Visit: stephen-nolan.com

Helen is a lovely Northern Irish potter who makes handsome delph that can be purchased on her website. Her teapot is my favourite creation & pours perfectly! With the Irish love of tea it’s important that your favourite beverage is served up impressively: helenfaulknerceramics.com

Alan Ardiff makes clever & inspiring jewellery. Made from gold & silver, the works include elements that move in a fascinating way. The perfect present for someone who is serious about what they wear! Kinetic Jewellery is available at alanardiff.com

Petal to Petal is Lily’s brand for her exquisite prints, inspired by the stunning landscape & flora of West Cork. Her prints have a muted elegance that are calm & restful. I love her choice of colour & great taste. Buy here: petaltopetal.com/shop

Sue makes swanky jewellery & combines her own work with selected vintage pieces. She is based in Cork & when not creating signature pieces runs an animal sanctuary. Visit her Etsy shop:
etsy.com/uk/shop/Swanky…

Here’s a great idea! A Secret Santa service & unusual products from our cousins in West Wales. They focus on delightful inexpensive gifts. Visit their shop to see unusual items: beeedigital.com/secretsanta/ .@avalanche_andy

Tara Prendergast runs The Biscuit Marketplace. It’s a great place to find handcrafted & unique presents for everyone & also highlights the work of Irish artists & craftspeople. Visit: thebiscuitmarketplace.com/category/gifts…

Bertille creates beautiful interior images full of detail. The intricacy of her details is heart warming. She lives in Westmeath & creates jewellery, prints & paintings in mixed media. Check out her Etsy shop to see her Hiberno-French inspired work: etsy.com/ie/shop/Darlin…

Ciaran McCoy, known to the art world as Pigsy, has some great branded items in his online store. Visit ciaranmccoy.com/pigsy-merchand… Pigsy’s work has an intense charisma & he’s a great guy!

From westqueerart.com there are some great value earrings, stickers & prints. The designs are modern, unique & eye catching. Sharon Nolan is based in Galway & has an idiosyncratic eye for unique jewellery.

I think it’s important to support Irish independent bookshops & local businesses. My cousin Gwen owns the Company of Books in Ranelagh. She has a carefully curated range of titles that she delivers locally or ships by post. Visit thecompanyofbooks.ecwid.com

You can help support artists & craftspeople by retweeting this thread & sharing it with friends.

If I’ve missed anyone out, let me know!