Weekend Loves: Purposeful pottery, Christmas countdowns, female-led fashion

Loaf Pottery is a brand with a purpose — part of the social enterprise NOW Group which supports people with disabilities and autism. 

Loaf runs pottery classes and events throughout the year as well as cafe and catering services north and south of the border. 

Loaf Pottery recently teamed up with artist Aly Harte to create a range of limited edition, hand-painted mugs. 

Whether grabbing a morning coffee or taking time out to think over tea, the beautiful ‘Hug’ mugs will elevate the everyday. 

€115 for a set of four. Coffee sets €75 for a set of two mugs with Loaf’s signature coffee beans.

• loafcatering.com/loafpottery

Get that festive glow with Fever’s Candlelight Concerts

Fever brings their candlelight concerts to cities across Ireland this festive season including Dublin, Cork, and Limerick with a musical programme that includes classical music, movie scores, and much-loved Christmas favourites. 

Venues include The Unitarian Church in Dublin and the Chapel at Griffith College, Cork. Illuminated by thousands of candles you can rock around the Christmas tree with tunes from Love Actually and Home Alone or go pop with a tribute to Coldplay or Queen. 

There’s something for classical music lovers too with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by candlelight.

• feverup.com

Countdown to Christmas at Ballymaloe Craft Fair

The Ballymaloe Craft Fair is on this weekend and next with more than 150 designers, makers, and producers showcasing their beautiful textiles, woodwork, jewellery, glassware, art, and leather goods. 

There’ll be fun activities for kids, mulled wine for the adults and a focus on local products and all things sustainable. 

With lots of hot food and drinks available, it’s a lovely spot to do some Christmas shopping while supporting local artisans and small businesses. 

There’s free parking on site and shuttle buses running from Midleton train station.

Entry is €8 and children under 12 go free.

• ballymaloegrainstore.com

Wrap up warm with a Mary Callan design

Callan is a niche knitwear brand based in Belfast known for its vibrant colour and playful patterns. 

Founder Mary Callan studied at London’s acclaimed Central Saint Martins and has received many awards, but her proudest moment is probably creating the ‘Ulster Fry’ jumper for Ma Mary in the Derry Girls TV series. 

Her Dots + Crosses scarf (seen here) may be less outrageous than that ’90s throwback but is no less tasty. 

Made from beautiful Yorkshire-spun lambswool, the unisex design is reversible and will prove a stylish antidote to winter chills for many years to come, €75.

• callanknitwear.com

Adam’s Cloud founder launches new teddy at Dunnes

Award-winning children’s author, Benji Bennett, will be visiting Dunnes Stores locations including Bandon and Douglas, Cork, and Liffey Valley, Dublin, over the next few weeks as he continues his nationwide book tour bringing the latest in his ‘Adam’s Adventure’ series to families across Ireland. 

Having lost his beloved son Adam suddenly at four years of age, Benji was inspired to create his series of books to bring families closer together through spending time together reading. 

The much-loved books also help to support children’s charities including Barnardos, LauraLynn, and Anam Cara. Benji is bringing his snuggly new ‘Before You Sleep Bear’ and the Adam’s Cloud collection to selected Dunnes shops nationwide.

• adamscloud.com

Irish, female-led brands open Dublin pop-up

Six female-led Irish brands, including broadcaster and presenter Anna Daly’s Little Bliss, have come together to open a lovely pop-up shop on Dublin’s Clarendon Street. 

With home fragrances by Brooke & Shoals, skincare by Ella & Jo, and artworks from Sarah Wickham Designs it’s a one-stop shop for gift giving. 

Pick up a beautiful bag by My Name is Ted, table linens from The Designed Table, or soft cotton pyjamas from Cotone Collection.

• The Clarendon Collective, 40 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2

Delicious new chocolates from Lir

Irish chocolatier Lir has just launched a new range of chocolates along with fresh new packaging including the delicious Blonde Salted Caramels and Raspberry Ganache. 

Dark Chocolate Ganache sweets sound perfect with an Irish coffee over Christmas while the new Irish Cream Liqueur would be perfect as an after-dinner treat in lieu of dessert. 

Prices from €6. Available from supermarkets nationwide, Dublin Airport, and the Lir Factory Shop in Navan, Co Meath.

• lirchocolates.com