Shop In Ireland as if You Were There
Trying to stay warm this winter? Here in the Big Apple we’ve been hunkering down for months but if that’s not the case for you, then the Squire is green with envy. And speaking of green and staying warm, we think we’re on to something. From the greener than green shores of Ireland and the heart of the Irish countryside, we think we may have found gold and we don’t mean a lucky charm either. Hint – it’s snuggly.
But leave it to the internet to have made our quest easier. Enter Siopa.com (pronounced “shu-pa”) which means shop in the Irish language. Siopa is playing a big part in preserving Irish culture by using the Gaelic word for their business (yes, we’re getting to it) and who can argue with that? There’s magic in every language but in this case there’s also magic in the products they’re offering to us.
The brainchild of Dubliner, Lulu O’Sullivan, Siopa.com, quite simply brings us the best of Ireland. We’re talking handmade, authentic Irish goods. Begun in 1987 as a mail order business, in 2010 it morphed into the e-commerce site it is today, and one of the first operating from Ireland. Its’ beat is the entire island of Ireland with access to some of the finest producers of traditional crafts, like Newbridge Silverware, Nicholas Mosse pottery, Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen and Belleek Living jewelry and pottery. Lulu and her team are committed to offering products of the highest quality at a great value and they have a way with their service too, of course. But that’s a no brainer as they’re 100% Irish.
What’s our favorite? The Squire’s partial to the lambswool & mohair blanket from Foxford Woolen Mills, one of the oldest working mills in Ireland and situated in the rolling hills of County Mayo, where staying toasty is practically an art. The snuggle factor of this blanket is heavenly but leave it to Lulu to give us the lowdown. “The Foxford Blankets that we stock offer not only warmth and top quality craftsmanship, but also embody the traditional Irish farmhouse in the West of Ireland, where these blankets would provide extra warmth on beds or in the kitchen, beside an open stove. Nowadays many of our customers comment on how stylish the blankets are, with the mohair blankets injecting vibrant color into a room.” Let’s just say that we’re of the belief that all homes, in Ireland or not, need an extra note of color. Someone we know once called it the WOW factor and this blanket’s got it.
Practically woven into each is the company’s past which is quite a story. The mill was founded by an Irish Sister of Charity in 1892 and its passion and dedication for superior craftsmanship has allowed them to support the town and people of Foxford for over a hundred years. That’s something to brag about but we expect nothing less from Lulu and the people at Siopa.com. From Foxford’s extensive collection, the lambswool and mohair throw in a palette of 5 vibrant summer colors was inspired by the Mayo mid-summer hedgerows and the clean, contemporary look is enough to bring a smile to our (cold) faces. We’re crazy for the “flame” (yes, it’s hot) but take your pick from among 2 incredible blues (light and deep), a soft, cloudy green or a vivid yellow. Better yet, buy them all and be stress free next Christmas!
The best thing about Siopa.com is you don’t need a passport to bring home a little taste of Ireland. You’ll find Foxford as well as other Irish artisanal craft items when you visit www.siopa.com. Siopa will arrange top class delivery (plus wonderful gift packaging) to suit all occasions from weddings, birthdays and anniversaries to simply thanking someone or showing a loved one you care. We like that! And when March rolls around every year and you get into the wearin’ of the green, you’ll be the proudest person on the planet knowing you’ve captured your very own slice of Irish tradition.
Details Foxford Mohair Lambswool Blanket (Throw) – 53 x 59 inches, $105.00
Visit www.siopa.com or call their toll-free number: 1800-707-5037
Head Office: 353 88 28040
Delivery times from Ireland to the US – please allow 10-12 business days.