Galway Traders

Over the years I have obtained countless Irish Gaelic learning resources for myself and gifts for my family that could never be found elsewhere. It is a hardship and a tragedy that this one-of-a-kind business has fallen prey to the ever-expanding cycle of loathsome yuppification and gentrification that has come to characterize what's becoming of Seattle. Give it a few years and Seattle will be as sterile, bleak, barren and plastic as Bellevue. Portland looks better by the day.

I dearly hope that the owner has the fortitude and heart to relocate and keep this gem alive once this immaculately maintained edifice is demolished to make room for yet more soulless condos.

Dia, Naomh Muire, agus Naomh Pádraig libh, a chairde.

The Irish gem of Ballard.

I adore this little shop and was overjoyed to find it. And every year around St. Brigid's day, I always remember this place for its great Brigid's crosses. Oh yeah, and that other big holiday, St. Patrick's day I think it's called. :)

Anyway, it's a quaint little store in a pretty little house on 15th. It's worthwhile stop for anyone who enjoys Celtic culture, real Irish goods and to support a wonderful local business. I personally love the Irish and German shirts that the owners have. What a great combination! "Irish Temper and German Stubbornness" I love it!

They have beautiful sweaters, Galway crystal, step dancing gear, claddagh rings, dolls, sheet music, stickers, etc. Just a wonderful collection to look through. Even biscuits and imported teas. I personally like the Irish peat sculptures. I sent my mother a beautiful harp from this store and my clan map of Ireland is framed in my hallway.

St. Patrick's a great excuse to discover this shop but there are definitely many more reasons to come back.

These are a few of my favorite things:

Barry's Tea - the most delicious brew in the world
Bangers and Rashers
The ineffable smell of peat smoke produced by a turf fire

She has them all. If I hadn't found this shop, I'd have been very disappointed with Seattle indeed. As the other reviews state, there are of course the ubiquitous leprechaun-type things that anyone would carry if they considered themselves an Irish-themed shop, but she actually carries things that an actual Irish person in Ireland would buy.

The authenticity comes from her late husband's love affair with his parents' home country (Mayo, God help us.) I can't wait to stock up on all kinds of food stuff and nicknacks, and treat my never-been-to-Ireland friends to a real Irish Paddy's Day.

We're even going to have a turf fire.

My husband and I love this store. I've driven by Galway Traders for years without stopping in. I'm so glad that I finally stopped.

If you want to stop in, use the parking lot. There's a small driveway on the right-hand side of the store. (It's easy to miss.)

It seems like a tourist shop that you might encounter when you're traveling overseas. They have a wide range of treasures to behold. At first, I thought the markup seemed high. However, the prices are close to what you would pay online when you account for shipping costs. And of course, there's the added bonus of seeing your items in person before purchase and supporting a local shop.

I loved browsing the imported Carraig Donn and Aran Crafts sweaters. I also enjoyed browsing the food options, including curry ketchup.

Check it out.

5 stars because it is an Irish store that sells everything you could possibly need that is Irish.

Jewelry (both inexpensive and spendy), music, books, art, gifts, wool sweaters... if it's Irish - you name it, they've got it (except booze, which you can buy a block up the street.)

The lady who was working there was really nice too!

I have travelled to England and Scotland and this store rivals anything I found there. The pricing is a bit high, but don't blame them because import costs are very high. What is amazing is the quality and authenticity of what is in the store. It is not kitschy at all. The whole store is all high quality, authentic hard to find products from Ireland and Scotland.

It truly is a step into the authentic heritage and culture of those two countries. Wow!

I love the collection they have of St Justin jewelry; I have a cool silver dragon/leather bracelet I got there years ago, and they just have a billion great gift things. Lots of celtic music of ALL types; a little overpriced but that's imports. Also sheet music, songbooks, etc. Weird foods from the British Isles, sweaters, hats, etc etc etc.
Also, which is a little strange, a small section back in the 'scottish room' with native American stuff too.
A great place for gifts for yourself or others!
They also have ALL the info on local happenings in the music/cultural scene for you celts and celt-lovers alike.
Parking on the south side of the house.
Go now!
It's easy to spend a couple hours here just browsing.

I found Gallaway traders online while trying to find a place for my first ever Happy St Pattys Day gift. It was a cramped place but in the best sense. It made me wish I was Irish and the lady who worked the counter made me feel right at home discussing items with me and making suggestions. If your ever in Ballard go check it out.

Don't be put off by the Oirish knicknacks - they sell Barry's Tea.
Eight bucks for 80 bags of good, strong, proper, no-fluffy-business-about-it Irish tea.
They also sell: imported English cookies (Homewheat & Chocolate Hob Nobs!); Irish cookies (Kimberely and Mikado, if that's your thing, but often Jacobs club biscuits); candies including Flakes and Crunchies; Tayto Cheese and Onion crisps (usually only the southern ones from Meath, not the better Tayto Castle ones from Tandragee); and soda bread mix. It's a good send for an ex-pat like me. Especially the tea.

The Galway Traders also sells Irish and Scottish knits and tweeds at decent, but still expensive prices. And, as I said at the start, they sell knicknacks, trinkets, gew-gaws and tschochkes, all with a Celtic lilt.

The two women who run the store are friendly and helpful. When my tiny daughter broke the hand of a statue of St Patrick several years ago, they kindly allowed me to buy the 20" figure for only their cost price, rather than standard retail - which saved me $50.

Everyone's Irish around St. Patrick's Day! I love going into Galway Traders and imagining what it might have been like to live in Ireland. One of these days, I'll make the trip across the Atlantic but for now, I'll just make the trip to Ballard.