From die-hard gourmands to clueless kitchen strangers, the Dads of the world come in as broad a variety as food itself, so with Father’s Day coming up this Sunday - did you forget? you’re welcome - there’s a lot of different tastes to be catered to. Never fear - we’ve scoped out the best Irish offerings for food, drink and experience gift ideas that you can get hold of by Sunday.
BBQ Meat Selection, The Village Butcher
Ranelagh’s beloved family-run craft butcher is leaning heavily into BBQ season with a range of great beef cuts and various meat skewers offered alongside all manner of flavour-filled rubs and sauces. It’s the sausages you definitely won’t want to miss here though - second-generation butcher Jessica has a superb selection of handmade flavours honed through a lot of overseas experience and home experimentation, from South African boerewors style to classic veal bratwurst. You can order online but we recommend popping in-store to get the full benefit of their expert advice. If you’re really out to impress, you can also say happy Father’s Day with a whole suckling pig. See the range here. Various prices; minimum spend for delivery is €25.
Cheese Pairing Box, Folláin & Cheese Subscription, The Little Cheese Shop
If your dad’s sweet enough already, gift him some no-added-sugar relish. The Folláin range’s honest-to-goodness ingredients are perfect for anyone looking to indulge in great flavours on the more natural side. This cheese pairing box is our top pick, offering a mix of relishes, jams, chutneys and jelly to accompany an array of Irish farmhouse cheese choices - pairing selections and even a little serving spoon (!) are also included. From chargrilled red pepper and caramelised onion to winter-spiced apple and classic tomato, these cutely-packaged little jars of joy (including two Great Taste award-winning flavours) will keep your Dad happy for months. Pair with a monthly subscription from The Little Cheese Shop in Dingle to attain favourite child status. €20
Italian Wine Dinner with Leslie Williams and Enrico Fantasia, Fallon & Byrne
The ideal night out for fathers who fancy the finer things in life, Fallon & Byrne’s upcoming Italian wine dinner on June 23rd promises a slate of great pairings together with anecdotes aplenty from Examiner wine writer Leslie Williams and importer Enrico Fantasia. The gourmet grocer’s ballroom should make for a suitably sophisticated setting for this celebration of Italian food and drink culture in the company of two industry experts, with a menu featuring dishes like Vitello Tonnato and Risi e Bisi, and three pairings including a sparkling rosé from Emiglia Romana. Tickets €75 each
The Deadly Dad Box, Beer Cloud
Whether he’s something of a craft beer aficionado or just starting to dip his toes beyond the typical tap lagers, this nine-pack gift set from nine Irish breweries is a solid sampling choice for any Dad interested in drinks. Beer Cloud’s boxes are always great all-rounders and this themed set runs the gamut from rye ale, pilsner, pale ale, and Bavarian bock to brown ale, light lager, stout, and IPA. With a glass, set of beer mats and a pack of O’Donnell’s crisps also in the mix, there’s everything here for the home bar experience. Plus if all that doesn’t feel Father’s Day enough, there’s two pairs of socks to really seal the deal. €42
Father's Day Old Fashioned & Craft Socktails Set, Irish Craft Cocktails
That’s not the only option for socks we’ve got for you though. The Craft Cocktails team have come up with this Father’s Day “socktail” set with a brightly-coloured pair of combed cotton socks to go with their special twist on their Old Fashioned. Anyone who indulged in one (or more) of these guys’ gorgeous bottles over the course of the lockdowns - think that was all of us - will know they make for a great night in. This limited edition Old Fashioned has Jameson Black Barrel and dark rum with hazelnut, madeira and bitters, and it’s just as well each bottle serves seven, as you’ll definitely be angling for one yourself. €42.50
Gift Box, Kinsale Mead Co.
History, horticulture, biodiversity, sustainability - there’s a lot of different interests taken in by Ireland’s first new meadery in 200 years, and its deliciously versatile trio of multi award-winning original flavours. Kate and Denis Dempsey’s Kinsale Mead Co. is big on the heritage of Irish mead production and this gorgeous tasting box includes a run-through of the once-ubiquitous drink’s history together with tasting notes for each of its Atlantic Dry, Wild Red, and Hazy Summer varieties. If your dad’s likely to find himself down south any time soon you can add a meadery tour gift voucher for €15 - it’s one of the most intimate and informative experiences on the island. €21.95
A Cooking Class At The Dublin Cookery School
Led by Lynda Booth, whose experience includes stints in multiple Michelin-star kitchens, the Dublin Cookery School has established a popular slate of cooking courses across its 15 years in business geared toward all levels of ability. Gift vouchers are available to redeem against any of their evening, full day, or multi-day courses hosted in its impressive Blackrock culinary studio. So whether it’s the ideally named “Man in the Kitchen” crash course, any one of the deep-dive guides to regional cuisines, healthy eating masterclasses, or just a basic intro learning to cook for friends (or children? eh?), there’s sure to be something here to suit your Dad’s standard. From €90 for an evening class
Cheese Hamper, Sheridan's
An ideal choice for cheese-obsessed fathers, or if you just want to poke fun at his cheesy Dad jokes, this Sheridan’s hamper has a nice balance of snacks to bring out the flavour of the three stars of the show - Cashel Blue; creamy Crémeux de Bourgogne; and earthy roast onion and caraway Bride Valley cheddar. Also tucked into the box’s straw packing is Sheridan’s own crackers and chutney, Skelligs mint brittle chocolates, Clintons flame-grilled crisps, and Ispini fermented cider chorizo beer stix. If you want to really show you care, bump things up to a whole ‘nother level of taste with an optional add-on 370ml bottle of ruby port. €35, or €48.50 with port
Barbecue Gifts, Weber
There’s no Dad stereotype as reliable as one holding court over a barbecue. But some stereotypes are born of truth, and it’s not for nothing that Father’s Day falls right around the start of the summer. If yours fits the bill, you can’t go far wrong with old reliable Weber, who aim to offer something for all budgets across their range of barbecues and accessories - pizza stones make a particularly nice choice for introducing some variety to the BBQ mix. If you’re spoiled for choice, the website offers a handy gift guide that lets you match your Dad’s experience level and your budget to find the perfect option to keep everyone happy. Pizza stones from €37.99; barbecues from €94.99; gift vouchers from €25
Single Malt, Dingle Distillery
Nothing beats a single malt for a sophisticated sipping experience, and the Dingle Distillery is one of the most interesting new players to step into the fold in recent years. This signature whiskey has a beautifully sweet and smooth character derived from its maturation in a combination of aged bourbon and PX sherry casks. The single malt’s unique quality has plenty to offer the casual whiskey drinker, but if yours is a Dad more fond of a dram, the recently-launched fifth (and final) single pot still release is the right, rarer expression to go for, with its limited production of 8,000 bottles making it a truly special treat. €55
