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MyIrelandBox Subscription Review – August 2016

Anna Reilly
ByAnna ReillySep 12, 2016 | 3 comments

What's in a My Ireland Box Subscription? Read our August 2016 review!

My Ireland Box
3.7 overall rating
3 Ratings | 1 Reviews

MyIrelandBox is a monthly subscription box that sends you unique Irish gifts, crafts, housewares, or beauty products made in and sent from the Emerald Isle, itself! Each month, you'll receive one or more items, the total value of which is guaranteed to reach $45 or more.

Typically, MyIrelandBox does come packaged in a literal box, but this one came in an oversized, flat mailing envelope. This was initially a surprise, but it made sense once I dug into the contents... more on that in a moment!

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

The Subscription Box: MyIrelandBox

The Cost: Chose from three subscription options: Ongoing Subscription ($45.00/box + shipping per month), 3 Month Advance Payment ($135, which accounts for $45/box + $31.50 shipping), or 6 Month Advance Payment ($247.50, which accounts for $41.25/box + $63 shipping). Pick either of the Advance Payment options, and get a free treat in your first box!

Products: Irish-made gifts, crafts, housewares, and beauty products

Ships to: US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and Taiwan

Check out all our MyIrelandBox Reviews and the Women’s Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

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Because I'm a gal with a very Irish last name and a somewhat Irish heritage, I've seen my fair share of Irish gifts in my time. In the same way other folks might receive a set of bath and body products for birthdays and holidays, I'm used to receiving celtic knot jewelry, journals with Irish sayings on the cover... you get it. Plus, I worked in an Irish gift store for a summer in college. I like to consider myself somewhat well-versed in the world of Irish products, so I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical that this subscription would hold more of the same old green goods I've seen many times before.

I opened the package—a big brown paper shipping envelope (typically this box comes in an actual box, but this month had to be a bit bare bones for size reasons)—and pulled the info out first. MyIrelandBox puts lots of time and effort into the information they provide. There was a kindly written note about the box and the new MyIrelandBox website (it looks really sleek, by the way), as well as information about the craftspeople behind the three items in the package. And if you're thrilled with your box and want to spread the word, MyIrelandBox includes some brochures to share, too.

Okay, onto the items!

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Irelandopedia (Hardcover) - Value $37.12 on Amazon

This vibrant hardcover book is the reason why this month's treats wouldn't fit in a typical MyIrelandBox box. It's about 10x14 inches big—a size that might be a bit cumbersome for a subscription box, but perfect for a bright picture book like this one. The Irelandopedia is written and illustrated by an Irish father-daughter duo, this book is filled with playful representations of Irish culture, history, and more. Here's what Amazon's summary says:

Get ready to go on an exciting adventure around Ireland. Unleash your imagination and sense of adventure as you discover Ireland like you've never seen it before! Armchair travelers of any age will be totally absorbed by Fatti Burke's detailed illustrations and her father John's fabulous facts, which can be discovered on every page.

I loved seeing classic Irish icons like castles and cities depicted alongside fun pop culture facts (hey, Sinead O'Connor!).

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Okay, so already things were feeling decidedly different from the shamrock-ery I expected to see. The next few items in the envelope were even more of a happy surprise...

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Ursula Celano tea cozy and matching tea towels - Value about $34.82 USD

Could you hear me squeal "Cuuuuuuuute!" from where you are? I was so delighted to see this bright blue, pink, and yellow tea cozy and the tea towels to match. Let me tell you, I've seen plenty of Irish dancer motifs on t-shirts, totebags, you name it... but I've never seen one as fresh, bright, and fun as this pattern. How cool and modern! The inside of the tea cozy (which, if you don't know, is meant to sit on top of your tea kettle to keep it warm off the stove) is pink with white polka dots—the same pattern as the second tea towel in the set. And the tea towels are huge—perfect for big pots and pans.

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Verdict: I'm so delighted by this box! If you know a fan of Irish culture or crafts, and want to expose them to new finds they might not encounter in your average Irish gift store, this is a great way to do so. The value of the items was well above the $45 minimum that MyIrelandBox guarantees, so it's definitely worth it from a cost perspective. I loved that the items in this package expanded upon the stereotypical shamrocks and Celtic crosses most people associate with Ireland, celebrating the modern vibe of the country rather than just its heritage. I wish I knew someone traveling there soon—receiving this box in the months leading up to their adventure would be the perfect way to raise the excitement!

What do you think about August's MyIrelandBox? Do you think you'll sign up for September's?

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My Ireland Box is a monthly delivery of various Irish-made products. Boxes will contain either 1 large or 2-4 small items each.
Anna Reilly
Anna Reilly
Anna loves collecting little treasures, be they pop-culture finds, handmade mementos, or new potions to put in her makeup bag. Beauty boxes got her interested in the subscription world, but now she's swooning for all things kawaii!

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3 comments

Mary K

Lol at “shamrock-ery”. Being Irish myself, I know exactly what you mean! Great review!

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Kim

very cute box. However a tea cosy is NOT for the tea kettle but for the tea pot

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MyMilkShake

Ooh I will watch the swaps board for this book. thanks for the review!

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