Irish Gifts for People Living Abroad: 6 Thoughtful Ideas
A good Irish gift for someone living abroad should feel connected to their life at home and fit into the life they have now. Pub playing cards, a scarf, a familiar tea or a coastal print are useful starting points. For someone still travelling or settling in, think about how much space they have before choosing something large or fragile.
Start with what they actually miss
“Something Irish” is a broad brief. A better one might be Sunday drives through Donegal, meeting friends in Galway or sitting down for tea in the kitchen. That gives you something personal to work with.
Also consider whether they are leaving next week or have lived overseas for years. Someone with two suitcases has different needs from someone putting down roots in a new home. A leaving gift can be handed over before the move; a homecoming reminder can arrive later when they have a settled address.
1. A local pub card deck for familiar names and a game with new friends
Our pub playing card range includes Ireland-wide and local decks. Choose the place they know best, particularly if there is a city or county they always call home.
Cards suit someone who wants to use their gift rather than find a permanent place to display it. They also give new friends an easy way into stories about home. It is worth checking the available deck and its illustrations rather than assuming a favourite pub is included.
Browse Cowfield’s pub playing cards.
2. A McNutt of Donegal scarf for someone heading somewhere cooler
A scarf is worth considering when the gift needs to go into a suitcase. Choose the colour and fabric for the recipient’s wardrobe and destination, not just the season at home.
For someone moving to a warm climate, this may be less useful than another choice on the list. If they are heading somewhere cold, a familiar accessory can become part of their new daily routine. Read the specific scarf’s fibre and care details before choosing.
Explore McNutt of Donegal scarves.
3. A Cowfield coastal map for a home that is beginning to feel permanent
For someone who has found a place of their own, a map can bring a familiar coastline into a new room. Our coastal map collection includes the Wild Atlantic Way, North Coast and East Coast.
Choose the stretch they know rather than the one you would visit yourself. Check which sizes and framing options are offered. An unframed option, where available, lets the recipient choose a frame locally and may simplify packing. A framed piece needs more protective packaging and a suitable place to hang.
See Cowfield’s coastal map prints.
4. S.D. Bell’s tea for someone who misses the everyday routine
Sometimes a familiar cup of tea is the point of the present. Belfast-based S.D. Bell’s offers tea bags and loose-leaf options, including Belfast Tea.
Choose the format they already use. Loose leaf is less helpful if they do not own an infuser, while tea bags fit easily into an existing routine. If you are posting it overseas, confirm that the seller serves the destination and check the destination’s rules for food products before ordering.
5. Burren Perfumery soap for a smaller reminder of the west coast
A bar soap can suit someone who enjoys a practical gift and does not want another ornament. The Burren Perfumery’s landscape-inspired range offers a connection to the west of Ireland in something they can use.
Consider scent preferences and ingredients, then keep it wrapped separately if combining it with other gifts. Fragranced products are not a universal choice, so this works best when you know what the person enjoys.
Choose from the Burren Perfumery bar soap range.
6. Bean & Goose chocolate for a treat to open together
Chocolate can be a lovely option for someone who enjoys sharing food with friends or housemates. Bean & Goose offers gift selections in different sizes, letting you choose around the occasion.
For overseas delivery, check the seller’s current destinations, the destination’s import rules and any temperature-related delivery advice. This is a better option when the route and timing suit the product. Check allergies too, even if you have bought chocolate for the same person before.
See Bean & Goose chocolate gift selections.
What should you check before sending an Irish gift abroad?
Choose the item first, then check the whole delivery cost before committing. A small gift can become a much larger purchase once packaging, postage and any destination charges are included.
- Address: confirm their current address and any details needed for delivery to an apartment or shared building.
- Seller coverage: check that the specific retailer currently ships to that country.
- Contents: check destination and carrier rules for food, fragrance or other restricted categories.
- Timing: allow for dispatch as well as transit, particularly around Christmas.
- Packaging: protect corners, fragile parts and anything that might mark another item.
- Message: explain the place or memory behind the choice.
For our products, consult Cowfield’s delivery information and the destination-specific checkout before ordering. Delivery availability and costs should be confirmed for the actual basket.
Questions about gifts for Irish people overseas
What is a good leaving gift for someone emigrating from Ireland?
A local pub card deck or scarf is a useful starting point when luggage space is tight. A print may suit better once they have a permanent address. A handwritten note about why you chose the gift makes the connection clear.
What Irish gifts can I send to someone in America?
Consider cards, a print or a scarf, then confirm delivery and applicable import requirements for the specific item. Food and fragranced gifts need additional checks. Being available on an Irish website does not automatically mean a product can be delivered to every US address.
Should I make up a large Irish care package?
Only if it suits the recipient and the delivery route. One well-chosen item with a personal note can be more useful than a large box of things they would not choose themselves. If you combine brands, compare the cost of collecting the items into one parcel with separate deliveries.
