The Geography of Good Craic

If you’ve been into Good Craic, or even if you just follow along on social media, you’ll know that it is a treasure trove of local art and awesome gifts. Bear in mind I’m from Australia so my definition of ‘local’ may differ a little from yours. So for those who are curious here is a list of where just some of my artists live. I realised as I compiled it that there are quite a few artists who I have no clear idea where they live! Oops. All I know is that they are ‘local’. They turn up to the shop from time to time with new stock and to collect any money that they have made. But the list below will give you a pretty good idea of the variety and the geography of Good Craic Gifts. It is definitely not comprehensive.

Rostrever

Paintings by Michael Boyle

Paintings and greeting cards by Susan Farrell

Sketches of Rostrevor printed as greeting cards by Jane Jeffries

Incredible stained glass pieces from Szpectrum Glass

Knitwear and crochet from Rosemary Burke

Prints of an original tree painting by Moya Murphy

Framed felt art and face masks from Deirdre Mcclorey

Fimo art and the wee Nativity in a Tin from Shelagh Roberts

Woven wall hangings by Rena Roohipour

Prints of Jacqueline Rooney’s artwork

Wood turned pens by Kevin Curran

Greeting cards and art prints by Jenny Jenkins (who is from here but currently living in England)

Honey from John Ross on Greenpark Road.

Greeting cards and bunting by Cecille (branded as Claire and Hector)

Magnets made by me!! Also t-shirts, hoodies, baby grows, mugs and postcards designed by me here but printed elsewhere.

Rostrevor Writers

Novel ‘Kilbroney’ by Siubhan O Dubhain (Pen name Kathleen O’Farrell)

Belfast Walks by Seth Linder

My Life in Rostrevor and other books of poetry by Alice Kelly

Various poetry books by Csilla Toldy

The Emigrant woman’s tales by Csilla Toldy and Fil Campbell

Various publications from the Rostrevor Historic Society

Rostrevor, an introduction from Peter McGrath Jnr

The Trees of Kilbroney Park by Light 2000

The Birds Book by Tom McFarland, Fil Campbell and Colm Mcevoy

Local CDs from Colum Sands, Tommy Sands, Fil Campbell and Tom McFarland, Matthew McGrath, Na Leanai (50% in Rostrevor these days), Lorraine Matthews, Chanel McManus, Rose Brennan, Brona McVittie, Maria Flynn, and Dermot McQuaid.

Warrenpoint (the next town over from Rostrevor- about 5-10 minute drive)

Textile art, purses and bags and large greeting cards from Florence Heyhoe

JS-M cards, knitwear, crochet and all sorts of bits and pieces from Joelle Scott-Murphy

Jewellery and bit and pieces by Caroline Clerkin

Pyrography prints and all sorts of other things by Angella Gillen

Brian Willoughby and Cathryn Craig CDs

Range of Irish language and locally inspired mugs by Cupan Tanya

Narrow Water candles

Alison McGrath CDs

Guitar string jewellery made by Sinaed Bradley

Prints from original paintings by Martin Walsh

Between Rostrevor and Kilkeel

NearyNogs chocolate

Kilkeel

Twisted Metal Work (formerly Crafted by Corinne)

Mourne Prints (new company from Corinne)

Piera Cerfice with her original artwork of the Mournes- prints, cards and enamel mugs

Framed embroidery by Laura McClelland

Hilltown

Quirky Trunk greeting cards

Near Rathfriland

Ballybrick Glass and Clay

Banbridge

Mount Ida Pottery

Lasair candles

Newcastle

Once Upon a Dandelion with their wonderful pallet art and prints

Handpainted silk scarves and silk art by Rosemary Watts

Kathleen Trotter- shamrock brooches, handmade lace bookmarks

Annalong

Rita Curran knitwear- mostly super cute baby cardigans and wee hats

Claire Mooney jewellery

Newry

Pottery and ceramics by Judith Lockhart-Revels

Ben Sands CDs

Downpatrick

Soap, body butter and shampoo bars by Wild About Soap

Dromara

Amor Rustic Art Pebble pictures and sheep

Armagh

Custom Celtic Carving who make beautifully decorated wood pieces.

Leather wallets, bracelets and things hand crafted by Malachy Leonard.

Belfast

SimplyN handcrafted silver jewellery

Doodles by Um greeting cards

Hunter Paper Co greeting cards

Bangor

Scent from Ireland candles and wax melts

County Mayo

Big Leap greeting cards

Saileen Drumm greeting cards

County Kilkenny

NiRi Design greeting cards cards

County Cork

Harvest Pictorial who use beautiful Irish art to make magnets, coasters, packs of cards, calendars and lens cloths.

County Tipperary

Turf incense burners with wee cottages or pubs (brand new to Good Craic)

Not to mention the various wholesalers I buy from in Dublin or around the world. Can someone say variety?? My main criteria are fabulousness, location and price. I’m developing my own style and creating a shop that I’m very proud of. Come in some time and spend time browsing. No pressure to buy…. at least not from me.