Ireland
Ireland is the EU's English-speaking gateway, and far more than a landing pad for American tech. The country ranks among the world's biggest pharmaceutical exporters, Ryanair is Europe's largest airline by passengers, and Kerry Group's ingredients are in food you eat without knowing it.
The Collison brothers built Stripe, Intercom came out of Dublin, and Irish dairy (Kerrygold above all) conquered supermarket shelves abroad. A craft food and drink scene runs far beyond Guinness.
Below: the Irish brands worth choosing over US or Chinese defaults.
Software & Tech
Stripe
Founded by: the Collison brothers, Tipperary
The payments engine behind much of the internet.
Status: one of the world's top private tech firms
Intercom
Founded in: Dublin
Customer messaging and AI support, used by tens of thousands of firms.
AI: early mover with its Fin agent
Aviation & Travel
Ryanair
From: Ireland
Europe's largest airline by passengers.
Legacy: made cheap flights the norm
Hostelworld
Known for: The budget traveler’s best friend. Hostelworld connects backpackers and students with the best hostel stays across Europe. From social dorms to private rooms, it’s a perfect option for those looking for affordability and community.
Food & Drink
Guinness
Known for: The world's most iconic stout. The harp. The two-part pour. The pint that built a nation's global image.
Jameson
Distilled in: Midleton, County Cork
The world's best-selling Irish whiskey.
Since: 1780
Baileys
Created in: Dublin, 1974
The world's best-selling cream liqueur.
Made with: Irish whiskey and dairy cream
Kerrygold
Made by: Ornua, the Irish farmer co-op
World-famous grass-fed Irish butter.
Sold in: 100+ countries
Tayto
From: Dublin, 1954
Ireland's beloved crisp brand.
Claim to fame: invented the seasoned crisp
Irish Coffee
What's in it: Hot coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, topped with a layer of lightly whipped cream that floats. Drink the coffee through the cream — never stir.
Where it's from: Shannon Airport restaurant, 1943. Invented by chef Joe Sheridan to warm cold transatlantic passengers. Imported to San Francisco by a journalist in 1952.
When to drink it: After dinner. After a walk in the rain. After anything cold or sad.
The case: Dessert, coffee, and a digestif in one glass. The original espresso martini, but with more emotional depth.
Design & Icons
Waterford Crystal
Made in: Waterford, since 1783
Iconic Irish hand-cut crystal.
Fun fact: makes the Times Square New Year ball
Supermac's
Known for: A family-owned Irish chain founded in 1978 that won a long trademark dispute with McDonald's over the use of its Mac branding in Europe. Serves burgers, chips, fried chicken and milkshakes.
Available in: Over 100 locations across Ireland and Northern Ireland, with an interest in expanding to other European countries.
Employees: Approximately 2,500 as of 2024
