I love unique Irish gifts ... things you won’t find in every “Plastic Paddy” souvenir shop in the country.

Today I received a package of goodies from MyIrelandBox.

Here’s what husband-and-wife team, Katharine and Thomas Barrett, have to say about their business:

“We launched MyIrelandBox in 2013 as a result of our passion in Irish designed craft. We left the corporate world in Dublin in 2007 and returned to Katharine’s native Dingle, County Kerry . We entered the tourist industry and were surrounded by gifted craftspeople in our area. Our aim is to give people, both in Ireland and beyond access to the world of great Irish craft made by talented Irish people, and so MyIrelandBox.com was created.”

The couple describe their task as “curating” the best of Irish craft to create their collections, which are available monthly or once-off for €30 per box. You can order for yourself, but I think most customers will use this as a gift giving service.

Each month, the boxes have a different theme. This box is the “Irish Country Kitchen.” It consisted of:

              * Oven gloves, tea towel, greeting card and sticker set by Dublin based designer Ursula Celano

              * Two Bewley’s Tea bags to enjoy while perusing my box, and

              * Two coasters by Wicklow artist Eoin O’Connor

A lovely added touch is the enclosed card which features a seanfhocal as Gaelige (Irish proverb) and bios of the the craftspeople featured in the box. The only criticism I could level is that the actual box itself is not overly sturdy, and had been quite mangled by An Post before its arrival. Fortunately, none of the contents were damaged. Substantial, branded packaging would enhance the consumer experience, and I have no doubt that the issue will be addressed as this fine new company moves forward.

The Barretts have grasped that what they are offering is more than a box of products. First, they are offering us a chance to support talented local entrepreneurs and artists. Secondly, they are selling us the rare chance to be sweetly and genuinely surprised. Doing business with MyIrelandBox just feels good.