My Ireland Box is a subscription service providing monthly Irish craft or artisan food surprises from Ireland. To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, My Ireland Box graciously provided one craft box as a prize for Irish American Mom's readers.
Before getting into the details of our giveaway, let me first introduce you to this novel gift idea.
What Is My Ireland Box?
My Ireland Box is a curated gift box subscription service, delivering the best of Irish crafts or Irish artisan foods each month. It is a gift that keeps on giving for as long as you wish, and a perfect gift choice for those who love all things Irish.
How Does It Work?
Step 1: Select from either Irish Crafts for Women (available to the USA, UK, and EU) or Irish Artisan Food (available to the UK and EU only). Both are curated and carefully chosen to offer you the best Ireland has to offer.
Step 2: Select your subscription length. You can choose a prepaid gift of one box, 3 boxes (one box for 3 months), 6 boxes (one box for 6 months) or 12 boxes (one box for 12 months).
Step 3: Be surprised each month.
Who Are The People Behind This Great Idea?
Katharine Keane Barrett
Katharine Keane Barrett and Thomas Barrett, a husband and wife duo, who live in Dingle, County Kerry set up My Ireland Box in 2012 as a result of their love of Irish designed crafts and artisan foods.
Thomas was a currency trader by profession and Katharine a qualified solicitor, when they left the corporate world in Dublin in 2007 and returned to Katharine’s native Dingle, County Kerry .
Surrounded by gifted crafteaspooneople and food producers, the idea for My Ireland Box was soon born.
Merging their experiences in the corporate world and their passions for the Irish tourist industry, they launched My Ireland Box.
By creating a subscription gift service they introduce subscribers to wonderful Irish handmade and artisan products and to those who make them!
What Surprises Await In My Ireland Box?
The monthly craft box includes a selection of 1 large or 2-4 Irish made or designed home goods, accessories, jewellery, stationary or beauty products and the value of the box is at least €30, and it’s usually more.
My Ireland Box Food promises a variety of delicious Irish made artisan tasty treats of at least €20 or more in value. Unfortunately for those of us in America, the food box is only available in the EU and UK.
The story and information on each Irish craft maker whose product is featured is included. What a wonderful way to introduce Irish made products to those who may not be able to easily discover or access them.
How Do I Enter The Giveaway?
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Saturday, March 16th at noon. Tell us what crafts come to mind when you think of Ireland, or simply tell us what you love about Ireland.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published or shared, just used to contact our lucky winner.
The winner will be announced on Saturday March 16th, so Katharine can pop the winner's gift box in the mail in time for April delivery.
And so, if you have visited Ireland or simply want to enjoy authentic Irish gifts, why not surprise yourself with thoughtfully chosen and lovingly made Irish goods every month, and subscribe to My Ireland Box.
And don't forget to leave a comment to enter this fabulous giveaway!
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
P.S. Irish American Mom does not have a business relationship with My Ireland Box, and received no remuneration for this post. My Ireland Box graciously provided this prize free of charge. I am featuring this wonderful gift idea as a way to promote and support Irish business and crafts people.
Christina Pepper
When I think of Ireland, I think of comfort food, great scenery, awesome music, pride, and warm people. I think of a homeland that I haven't stepped foot on but know my heart is always there. I would love to win the gift box and bring more of Ireland into my home!
Eileen Moloney McMaster
My husband & I love Ireland we had a traditional Irish wedding kilts & all. We honeymooned in Ireland for a month. Our favorites were Kenmare & Dingle. Love the idea of you boxes. Would love to be entered in your drawing! I think of St Brigid's cross when I think of Ireland hence my daughter's name.
Katharine Keane - MyIrelandBox Founder
Hi all - thank you for your wonderful comments about Ireland and it's wonderful craftspeople.
We are delighted here at MyIrelandBox that you like the products included in the March MyIrelandBox Craft. Good luck to the winner of the April box and we are sure that you will love your surprise from Ireland! MyIrelandBox is based in beautiful Dingle, Co. Kerry and we note lovely comments above about our home! We are busy finalising curation of items for the April box - we have such choice here throughout Ireland with our amazingly talented craftspeople! If you would like to subscribe and receive monthly surprises from Ireland then visit http://www.myirelandbox.com and click the subscribe link.
You can of course cancel your monthly subscription at any time. The 3,6 and 12 month prepaid options are also available and savings can be found if you opt for the latter two.
Please email us with any queries, comments or just to say Dia Dhuit! at [email protected].
Thank you Mairéad at Irishamericanmom for your wonderful comments about MyIrelandBox. We love your blog and are delighted to be a part of it.
Grá mór (lots of love) from Ireland agus go n-éiri le gach éinne sa chomórtas! Katharine Keane, MyIrelandBox
Irish American Mom
Katharine - Thank you so much for donating this lovely gift box as the prize for our giveaway. It is lovely to see so many entries, and to read all the wonderful responses about why everyone loves Ireland and Irish crafts so much. We'll keep the contest open until Saturday 3/16 at noon. I'll be in touch once we have a winner. All the best, and have a lovely St. Patrick's Day in Dingle.
Mairéad
Joyce Baird
I love this idea! What a wonderful way to bring a little of Ireland home each month. Home made crafts of all kinds always make me think of Ireland as we saw so many when we visited a few years ago.
Wendy
I always think of wonderful handknitted sweaters, Irish tweeds, and all shades of green when Ireland is mentioned. I think also of hot scones and strong tea with a splash of milk. Hope that one day I can visit.
Kate
I love this idea! So lovely!!
By way of entry, when I think of Irish crafts, I think of handknit sweaters, delicate lacework, and beautiful silver pieces. Grand's fresh baked bread....
Kathi Tarpey
On my last visit to Ireland I fell in love with Dingle........
Nancy Edney
I love this idea. It makes gift giving so personal. If USA does not get the tasty treat part do you substitute it with something else?
Irish American Mom
Nancy - The food box contains only artisan food treats and the craft box contains crafts only. They are two separate choices for this subscription service. Unfortunately only crafts can be sent to the US. I would love the food treats, since I miss the tastes of Ireland here in America. Thanks so much for stopping by and for entering this contest.
All the best,
Mairead
Cheryl Barker
What a wonderful giveaway! I love that my family's roots are in Ireland, and I would love to go there one day. I also love Irish accents 🙂
Karin
What a fantastic idea! We still have family in Ireland and my dad, aunts and uncles were recently able to make a trip back. I hope my turn will come soon. In the meantime, I'll check out the boxes. We buy artisan Irish cheeses, etc. when we can find them but authentic craft items are hard to find here in the Midwest. Thanks for letting us know about this service!
Beth
I had the pleasure of visitiing Ireland in Dec. 2011. I love how friendly the people are and how beautiful the country is. I will remember my time in Ireland this weekend by cooking beef stew with Guiness and soda bread. The box sounds like a wonderful way to experience a bit of Ireland.
Ashley
What an amazing Idea! I.think I.need a subscription.
Erin
What a fantastic giveaway! I've never heard of My Ireland Box, but I think I'll be signing up for a subscription shortly 🙂 By the way, I just discovered your blog today & I love it!~!!
When I think of Ireland, I think of the beautiful green countryside & the wild sea, cozy pubs full of laughter & smoke, foamy stouts, mouth-watering fish & chips, creamy potato soup, & rustic breads. I recall Ireland's legacy of literature, Celtic knots, high crosses, & other Insular art that I love so much. And of course, as a musician, my mind's ear hears Celtic music & I remembers my childhood Irish dance lessons. My husband & I celebrated our wedding by honoring our Irish heritage & we're saving up for our dream trip to the Isles (hopefully for our 10-year anniversary!)
Emily
This is such a cool idea!
I studied abroad in Ireland last year, and cherish my memories of walking around Galway enjoying the booths filled with everything from jewelry to knitted garments to fresh food. Now, each time I see an Irish-made good, it fills me with comfort and happiness. I intend to travel back again soon!
Holly
I worked in an English tea house on a historical farm here in Washington state when I was a teenager, and I adored the china with shamrocks, so they are always the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Irish crafts!
Jennifer Winter
I would love to win this. I have a huge fascination with Ireland. I'm adopted and one of the only things I know of my biological family is that my mother's side of the family was "very Irish."
Karen
My father's side of the family is Irish and Portuguese and I've always thought I've been lucky to look more like the Irish side 😉 Fair skin, a plethora of freckles and a great dye job lol. Visiting Ireland is one of my biggest dreams! We even hosted kids every summer from Belfast as a part of a kind of exchange program. It was great learning about everything and teaching them our "American" ways. (:
Joanna
What a neat idea! I've just been directed to your blog for recipes, so I haven't looked around much yet. I think I'm going to love it!
I'm not really Irish and I've never been to Ireland, but it's my number one dream to visit someday. I'm even trying to learn Irish. I would love to get over there and experience everything. Pictures and documentaries I've seen have been gorgeous, but I'm sure don't do the land justice.
Elizabeth Bohlin
When I was 13 years old, my Ireland obsession officially started. I came home from school one day, excited as can be, and ran in to tell my parents we had to go to Ireland for Spring break. (Keep in mind, spring break was the following week) They laughed. Being spontaneous is one thing, but 2,000 dollar plane tickets is another. I made a power point presentation with photos of Ireland (How could they say no to how beautiful it looked!) and charts showing how I would pay them back over the next decade. Mowing the lawn every weekend, dishwater duty every night, cleaning the bathrooms (the most despised chore) and no birthday, Christmas presents for the next 7 years. I was completely serious. But still, we were not going. After my depressing spring break of staying at home, I vowed I would do whatever it takes to get to Ireland one day. I am 20 years old now, in college, and I still haven't made it there yet. But I will. Although my Ireland savings jar is full of quarters, and dimes, (yes I really have the jar) I will save enough after college.
I literally love everything about Ireland. I love the green hills, I love the accents, I love the food, I love the cozy atmosphere of the homes people get to grow up in. I just love it. I also love your blog!
Elizabeth
Linnea
When I think of Ireland I think of my Grandfather and his extended family who came over in 1937 from Dublin. I have his naturalization papers hanging from my wall and would love to someday be able to go to Ireland and maybe even find some family still living there!!!! Happy to be a 2nd generation Irish woman, the Cassidy's!!!!!
Kari
What a wonderful Give Away!
When I thinking of Irish Crafts, I think of wooden boats, knitted sweaters, and musical instruments. When I think of Ireland, i think of the beauty of the land and the sea and the people.
I found your lovely blog by searching for a vintage Irish Girl! Thanks for the great reading and delicious recipes! Happy Days ~Kari
Edie
We were blessed to be able to spend Christmas in Ireland a few years ago. We loved the people we met, the food and shopping on Christmas Eve from street vendors. We can't wait to go back.
Jenna
My grandfather immigrated to the US from Ireland with his brothers, sisters, and parents when he was very young. Several summers ago, I spent three weeks backpacking around Ireland and absolutely fell even more in love with the country. Everyone was very friendly and willing to point my friends and I in the right direction and tell us stories about Irish lore and history. It was amazing and I hope to go back someday!
Mary
I think of Barry Tea and Tayto crisps when I think of home! Happy days!
Irish American Mom
The randomly chosen winner of this lovely surprise is Mary. She shared her love of Irish foods with us in her comment:
“I think of Barrys Tea and Tayto crisps when I think of home! Happy days!”
A big thanks to everyone who participated in this St. Patrick's Day giveaway. I so enjoyed reading all of your comments, thoughts and memories of Ireland. And a great big thanks to Katharine from My Ireland Box for sponsoring this giveaway. We really appreciate your generosity.
Thanks again to everyone, and have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day.
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
For anyone who entered this wonderful giveaway and would like to see the lovely surprises found in the April My Ireland Box, here is the link for today's post where all the hidden treasures are revealed.
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/2013/04/19/my-ireland-box-aprils-crafts-revealed/
Also, a big thank you to everyone for all your wonderful comments. I wrote a post yesterday highlighting some of your beautiful words and thoughts about Ireland and Irish crafts. Here is that link if you would like to check it out:
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/2013/04/18/when-i-think-of-ireland/
Best wishes and I hope you all have a lovely weekend,
Mairéad
Cynthia Scroggins
Some of my favorite crafts include handmade soaps, ceramics, and woollen caps and scarves. I have been fortunate to visit Kerry Crafted Glass where recycled glass is used to make the most beautiful vases and pitchers among other beautiful products.
Peggy Wharton
This is a delightful blog.....so personal and warm....so irish....I am a little bit irish and my granddaughter and i are doing a little research ....and found your site ...checking out "craic" ....may be a relatively new word....but certainly one our lives have revolved around ....and music !! so delightful information....I am/ we are making Irish Soda bread (again) for her school this week....and will try the frying method w/ Farls. really sorry to be too lake for your Box giveaway ....but have a feeling they will come my way (soon as I can order) my daughters and I will certainly enjoy.....blessings on you head , family and home....sincerely Peggy Wharton
Irish American Mom
Hi Peggy - I'm delighted you found my little corner of the world wide web. Welcome! It's lovey to hear from readers. I hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day celebration. Sorry you missed this little giveaway but I have another one running right now, until St. Patrick's Day for a beautiful green cashmere pashmina. You can enter the giveaway here ...
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/2015/03/10/the-shawl-an-irish-fashion-statement-of-old-plus-a-beautiful-pashmina-giveaway-to-celebrate-st-patricks-day/
All the best,
Mairéad