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Seeing Red: Looking for Irish Gifts that Aren’t Green?

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Green is the color the world associates with Ireland, and blue has a strong claim for second place. But rainbows are pretty common here, and you can find authentically Irish gifts in every color. Those born in January have the deep red garnet as their birthstone, and red shows up in Ireland in many ways. 

Redheads

Redhaired man with bush beard in a business suit

True, the Irish aren’t the only ones with a claim to stunning auburn tresses, but with 10 percent of population being gingers, we come in second behind our neighbor Scotland. Ireland’s most famous redhead might be Maureen O’Hara, and plenty of famous redheads born elsewhere have Irish roots, including Ed Sheeran. Gingers might get a lot of teasing and slagging growing up, but it’s only jealousy. Plenty of redheads get their gorgeous hue from a bottle rather than genetics, but we won’t tattle on them.

Gaelic Athletic Association Colors

Flag of County Cork

The GAA is part of the social infrastructure in Ireland. They are the sporting body that promotes and organizes traditional games such as Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. The colors worn by the teams at county level are embraced and celebrated far beyond the world of sport.

Irish County Hooded Sweatshirt Full Chest

 

Irish Sweatshirt - Irish County Hooded Sweatshirt Full Chest - Grey
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Four different counties use red and white: Cork, Derry, Louth, and Tyrone. Mayo is red and green.  Red can represent any of these five very different counties. So anyone who can trace their roots back to Cork, Derry, Louth, Mayo or Tyrone can proudly wear red to symbolize their heritage! Whether it’s a GAA jersey, jewelry with a red gemstone or a bright Aran knit sweater, hat or scarf, it can represent any Irish county with a red GAA jersey.

Wildlife: Foxes, Squirrels and Robins

Belleek Robin with Holly Ornament - A ceramic ornament of a robin surrounded by fir trees standing on a wooden surface

The fields of Ireland are famously green, but some of our wildlife is a bit more colorful. Foxes are one of the most iconic animals in Ireland. They are a gorgeous sight dashing across a field, and they have a special place in Irish folklore. Foxes make a distinctive screech, which seems to be the origin of the beliefs about the banshee’s cry heralding death. You’ll see two different types of squirrels in Ireland. The red ones are native, and the grey ones were introduced. And Ireland is home to plenty of robins. European robins are smaller than their North American cousins, but they too have a place in Irish folk beliefs. When a robin appears, especially soon after a bereavement, the belief is that it is the departed loved one saying hello. So robins are always welcome visitors in Irish gardens. 

Irish Birthstone Jewelry

Sterling Silver Claddagh Ring and Necklace with Garnet birthstones in the heart beside a red flower on a white background
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If you were born in January and want to wear your garnet birthstone, what’s more prefect that a piece of jewelry with your red birthstone set in an Irish motif? Whether you prefer the triple spiral or the Claddagh, this stunning gemstone will be right at home there. Garnet jewelry is one of the most beautiful Irish gifts for anyone born in January! 

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