You can bang on all you like about how Father's Day is just another Hallmark holiday created to feed capitalism, but your socialist stance isn't going to be enough to wipe away the feeling of guilt that creeps over you when the day comes around and your old man is left empty handed, without a token of your love and appreciation.
That's why we've put together this nifty gift guide, a sort of LADBible directory of the best ideas for last minute gifts you can pick up to tick the box this Sunday. You might even call it a... DADBible? (We're delighted with ourselves with that one).
As always, we've put an emphasis on highlighting incredible Irish producers and retailers - there's so much amazing produce being made right here in Ireland covering everything from booze, hampers, clothing and even a few quick and easy solutions for the bashful dad who says he doesn't want a fuss made over him - or the forgetful son or daughter who needs an eleventh hour solution...
Black Irish Whiskey & Stout Drink
Booze is a no brainer gift for many Irish dads and luckily, there's no shortage of amazing and unusual tipples being produced in Ireland. For dads who consider themselves more of a refined drinker, why not offer him something a bit different like this innovative concoction. Black Irish is a spirit drink made with a combination of triple distilled Irish whiskey drawn from deeply-charred casks and Irish stout. Expect notes of coffee, chocolate, and warming oaky spices from this one. The drinks can be enjoyed by itself, or with cola (plus an orange wedge and plenty of ice). If your dad's feeling especially adventurous apparently adding a few drops of Tabasco sauce can really enhance the drink too! You can pick up a bottle on Amazon or from O'Brien's Wine & Spirits for just €35.00
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Home Gym Equipment from BLK BOX
If your dad's a true fitness fanatic we'll bet he's found the last year especially tough. With gyms closed for months on end, we've all had to look at what can be achieved through home workouts and so gym equipment from BLK BOX (based in Northern Ireland) feels like a more relevant gift option than ever before. Choose from a range of dumbbells and kettlebells, bars and plates, rigs and racks - you name it, they've got it. Everything you need to help your dad pimp out the garden shed or whatever corner of the house he's claimed as his quarters into the ultimate home gym is available for super reasonable prices. Shop the collection here.
Green Man Woodland Gin
The temperature is finally rising and gin really is the ultimate summer spirit. For a truly unique gin option that will really stand out on your dad's bar cart, look no further Green Man Woodland Gin - the world's first gin to be packaged in a cardboard bottle. Perfect for the socially conscious dad, the liquid comes in 100% recyclable packaging, which includes both the cardboard bottle and inner liner. As if that isn't neat enough, the actual gin does not disappoint either. Your dad can look forward to top notes of fresh and clarifying pine, fir and rich birch leaf give way to a more herbal, green mid-palate including Macedonian juniper, rose hips and apple - perfect for a G&T on a hazy summer's afternoon.
You can pick up a bottle on Amazon for just €34.87 here.
A Donegal Tweed Flat Cap from Magees
Keep your dad looking dapper this Father's Day with a timeless classic from one of Ireland's most esteemed fashion businesses. Magees is a fifth-generation Irish family business with over 150 years' experience in designing, weaving and tailoring luxurious fabrics and clothing in Donegal. A tweed flat cap from Magees is a staple in the wardrobe of any stylish Irish dad. The caps, which are made using their signature exquisite tweed designs and woven in Donegal, are available in an array of colours and styles for just €55.00 from the official Magees store here.
Jawbox Classic Dry Gin
Another gorgeous gin option is a bottle of Jawbox Classic Dry Gin. Coming in just over €50.00, it's a little more on the premium side however its striking bottle design and delicate flavours and aromas make this gin well worth the higher price point. The gin, which is produced in the Jawbox Distillery just outside Belfast, lends itself to all the classic gin cocktails from your like a G&T, Negroni or Gin Fizz or can be enjoyed simply poured over ice and mixed with ginger ale. You pick up a bottle from the Celtic Whiskey Shop here for €50.99.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Premier League Club Bars
For football fanatic fathers who claim they hate attention, one of these limited edition Cadbury Dairy Milk Club Bars could be a nice low-key gifting option. The bars are made using the delicious Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate we know and love but packaged in its own unique 'kit' inspired by the iconic logos, kits and stadiums for each of the Premier League football clubs. The bars come in five different varieties for Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur fans to tuck into before next season begins. Why not slip one of these into a card with an invite to watch one of next season's matches together, a sure fire why to put a smile on your dad's face. The bars are available exclusively in Dunnes Stores for €8.00 per 360g bar.
Copeland Merchants Quay Blended Irish Whiskey
Some might argue that a bottle of whiskey is perhaps the quintessential Father's Day gift option. For whiskey loving dads, Copeland Merchants Quay Blended Irish Whiskey is an impressive and unconventional blend, consisting of three different whiskeys matured in four casks. The end result is an amber colour that has a masterful bouquet on both the nose and the palate. An enjoyably sweet aroma of toffee apples and dark berries is layered above familiar undertones of vanilla and clove spice before a mild hint of fresh cedar hits. For a Don Draper moment, your dad can enjoy the whiskey neat or on the rocks (or if he's feeling a little softer he can opt for a classic mixer such as cola or ginger ale).
You can pick up a bottle of Merchants Quay from the Irish Drink Shop for a very reasonable €40.00 here.
Ireland's Artisan Pantry Hamper
For dads with a taste for the finer things in life, one of these hampers from Ireland's Artisan Pantry seems like the perfect solution. The €50.00 Father's Day hamper is chock full of gorge produce, all made by Irish makers. Your dad can enjoy a selection of goodies including Clinton's Crisps Farmhouse Cheddar & Red Onion Crisps (made in Dublin), Bubba's Sauces Sweet Chilli Jammin Marinade, Sauce & Relish (made in Wicklow), Hassetts Smoked Chilli & Sesame Cracker (made in Cork) and White Mausu Peanut Rayu (made in Dublin), amongst a host of other delicious nibbles sure to delight any foodie fathers. Plus you only need to order 1-2 days in advance if purchasing in Ireland - see here for more.
One4All Gift Card
Hey, it may not be the most inventive gift idea but when you need a quick fix, it's hard to beat a One4All voucher. You can purchase gift cards for anywhere from €15.00 to a maximum of €150.00, allowing you to dial your generosity levels up or down as needed. One of these bad boys can be redeemed in any number of establishments around the country including bike shops, hotels, restaurants, gaming stores, book shops, home and garden centres, jewellers and electronic stores - there's quite literally something to please any dad with one these guys. And you don't have to worry about whether it will fit him!
Pick up a gift card here or simply nip down to your local Post Office, Tesco, PostPoint or Circle K.
Shit London Guinness Merch
Shit London Guinness is one of the best Instagram accounts in existence. Although the sight of some of the brutal pints of Guinness on offer in the UK's capital can be a little painful, it also deserves as a hearty reminder that when it comes to a pint of the black stuff, there really is no place like home. If your dad is a Guinness connoisseur with a flair for style and a good sense of humour, why not pick him up something from the Shit London Guinness merchandise store? They've got everything from t-shirts, face masks, prints and even bucket hats for dads with Gen Z aspirations. Shop the collection here.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Ireland