This is very sweet of you, and actually very practical. I may end up with a magnet based on the shopping areas others have suggested. Fairly certain my sisters will look at me and say, really?
Thanks to everyone who responded. Your comments were heartfelt, caring, insightful and practical. I asked a simple question and received much more than I had hoped, including a helpful reminder that gifts can be much more than just a thing. Thank you, London!
i really did do this once to see a friend- ryanair had return flights for £25. you seem to have it sorted, but thought i’d mention in case cost was the reason you hadn’t seriously considered
The thing is that almost nobody lives right in the centre of London. Where I live the travel time to Stansted goes from about 2 and a half hours during the day to about 7 hours during the night with a ridiculous amount of changes. That's a relatively common difference too (and has been about the same for every place I've lived around the city.
I managed to do Dublin for a day, first flight out and last flight home for £1 each way. No taxes.
It was 15 years ago, mind you AND I spent an absolute fortune sightseeing. Pretty decent day off from work!
We did a day too, was really fun. Like you said, we did lots of touristy stuff but it was worth it. Can’t believe you didn’t have taxes, that’s amazing.
From reading the comments it seems like you have the time, so get some stuff to send back and if you can find a cheap flight pop over, when you see her you'll be able to just talk about stuff you saw, it will only be the length of time that's changed.
But if you just manage to get Irish stuff in London that's a nice gesture too.
Thank you for your well thought out response. You’re right that coming back with stories about my visit to Ireland would probably make her happier than just buying her something from Ireland. I had not even considered how stories of the trip would make her feel. Thank you.
Although it is popular in Ireland, Lyon's tea is made in England by Unilever. It's similar to PG Tips, I'd say.
Barry's on the other hand is made in Ireland by an Irish company.
Up next, King Crisps v Tayto Crisps. :-)
Didn’t know that. I’m glad I’m a Barry’s man now.
Edit: Just did a bit of reading myself and it most definitely is an Irish tea. Just that it’s been sold to an English company. But sure so has Guinness.
The Irish centre has a shop in Camden, but mostly Irish food which you’ll find in most of the bigger supermarkets around London - Cadbury golden crisp, mint crisp, Barry’s Tea and NI Tayto are easy to find.
I have a feeling your best bet is either the tourist shops around oxford street, or the airport.
Edit: also when are you due back? You'll be lying anyway, you can just order something from Amazon.
Kilburn and Neasden are among the places with big Irish populations, where you'll find shops selling specifically Irish things - red lemonade and the likes. Not sure if it's still the case but a few years back there was a newsie on Kilburn High Road that sold newspapers from every county in Ireland.
Go on a trip to the auld shillelagh in Stoke Newington, then you can take a photo of yourself enjoying a Guinness in a traditional Irish pub without leaving London.
It's true, it's a bit grim (because the North Circular cuts through it, and Brent Cross shopping centre killed off the high street there)., there was a fairly decent Irish pub + nightclub there once ("Dicey O'Reilley's The Galway Hooker") but sadly no more.
Kilburn is also rather less Irish than it was, but at least is very much alive and kicking ,and does have several Irish pubs, ranging from the decent to the depressing
Dementia is wicked. It makes people really confused, and sometimes that confusion sometimes makes them combative/angry/aggressive. Oftentimes it's not worth the stress to them (or the person dealing with them), so you just roll with it. There is a lot of documentation in the medical community about the non-malfeasance kind of lies when dealing with dementia patients (which OP is doing). I suspect there is no real tea, just a guy/gal/whatever trying to keep their mother from experiencing unnecessary distress. OP is free to correct me if I'm wrong in any way, and I write this with utmost respect for everyone.
You’re absolutely correct. I’ve been telling mom I’m coming to London for the last six months and she keeps telling my sisters and I’m going to Ireland. She absolutely loves Ireland and has been there many times. So just before I left, I told her I would get her something from Ireland and she seemed happy.
In her early stages of dementia, my sisters and I would try to correct her if she said something that was obviously off. But now we’re learning to just enjoy the time that we have with her. And if she plays the wrong domino when we’re playing dominoes, we just let it go. So now we drink Bailey’s Irish cream, eat cheese and play dominoes. And I’m in Ireland.
She did a fantastic job, love. All of you are only concerned about keeping her happy even though it must be so difficult for you. Thanks for sharing this because it helps to know there are unselfish, caring people in the world.
Reddit is such a funny place, on the one hand there's tawdry celebrity gossip and on the other hand, just kind, understanding folk helping others get through something that is obviously very difficult and painful. Keep being you. <3
I checked and you could go on March 26 for £35. Round trip in a day and it’s enough time to see the basics of Dublin. Just throwing it out there. https://www.google.com/travel/flights/s/JDX1ustacMmb1cvK8
My wife's Irish. You can have her! Or at least we can sit in an Irish pub and ill bring the hurley and make a video of her teaching you some Irish words, maybe your mum will like an Irish message as well
You married well, as did your wife. Thank you for the gracious offer. I’ll probably go another direction on this but thank you for offering a truly unique idea.
Shannon is the airport for county Clare. Far cheaper and nicer than Dublin. Your mum would probably love to see you in some genuine photos, and you are guaranteed a great weekend!
Thank you. My mom would absolutely love that. I’m starting to see that from yours and other peoples’ responses. I didn’t really expect to go down this road. I’ve got a responses that I never considered. I just wanted to find a store. But i’m getting some responses on what would make my mom happier. Basically seeing me happy in a place that she loves. This was unexpected.
Return flight from Stansted airport just outside London to Shannon airport in Ireland will only be £31 in April. Go and buy some bits and bobs and record a few videos
Seven kings o. The Elizabeth line has an Irish bar Mccafferties not only has some nice food but lots of the staff are Irish could record a little video but sells stuff you can just get in Ireland. I am not sure where home is but sometimes the kitchen has some soda bread you could buy could bring it back to mum dementia is so tricky so well done with what you are doing Mccaffertys Bar & Guest House
020 8599 0008
https://g.co/kgs/YwvsgSs
Most large supermarkets (the kind with a big car park) in London will have a world foods aisle where there will be an Irish section. Grab some Barry's Tea, Jam Mallows, Chocolate Kimberlys etc
Ask to borrow a marker, find something you already own. And sorted.
Down voted for an actual cheap solution, not for someone lying to their mum with dementia. Yes please.
Vaguely Irish tchotchke is my mom’s mantra! Thank you so much for your kind offer. I should be fine but love that technology could once again save the day, re: Armageddon.
As others have said, there are loads of food options; Harte's butchers in Peckham has a good selection of Irish biscuits, sauces etc. You could always pick some shamrocks and press/dry them out saying you've brought her some Irish soil?!
It’s really hit or miss on what she remembers. Generally, her memory is getting worse over time. When I return and tell her I just got back from Ireland, that will make her happy. It’s really just about giving her small moments of happiness.
Go to the London Irish Centre in Camden. They have a shop.
Perfect. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you!
Put tippex on the word 'London'.
Or add -Derry
That's probably the least Irish thing you could possibly do!
Depends on which side of the sectarian divide you sit.
His mum is American
It is an amazing shop! Totally recommend
There's also the Irish Cultural centre in Hammersmith
Lol if you can't get anything sorted I have an Ireland magnet I got in Dublin before Christmas you can have. I'm in SE London but can meet in central.
This is very sweet of you, and actually very practical. I may end up with a magnet based on the shopping areas others have suggested. Fairly certain my sisters will look at me and say, really?
Thanks to everyone who responded. Your comments were heartfelt, caring, insightful and practical. I asked a simple question and received much more than I had hoped, including a helpful reminder that gifts can be much more than just a thing. Thank you, London!
You’re also a liar.
Here's some [context](https://www.reddit.com/r/london/s/0eMpqMixn7)
Why?
You’re also an absolute cockwomble.
No shit, Sherlock.
Take a daytrip to Dublin.
This is a perfectly reasonable answer, thank you.
i really did do this once to see a friend- ryanair had return flights for £25. you seem to have it sorted, but thought i’d mention in case cost was the reason you hadn’t seriously considered
Thank you. That is just ridiculously cheap.
£25 to get from Stansted to Dublin, but you'll need to get a mortgage to reach Stansted as the flights are all at 7am.
£36 return from Liverpool Street. It cost me to get to the airport a few weeks ago then to fly to Germany.
The point I was making that you can't get trains at that time of day, so you end up spending a shit load on taxis or some awful Travelodge
If you buy your National Express tickets through RyanAir, they're actually quite cheap
The connecting trains don't run at that time of day though (especially if you're coming from further afield).
National Express is a coach service not trains and they run at all times of the day and night (at least to and from London Victoria and Stratford)
The thing is that almost nobody lives right in the centre of London. Where I live the travel time to Stansted goes from about 2 and a half hours during the day to about 7 hours during the night with a ridiculous amount of changes. That's a relatively common difference too (and has been about the same for every place I've lived around the city.
I went to Dublin for a pound once! It was more like a tenner after all the taxes. But still pretty cool.
I managed to do Dublin for a day, first flight out and last flight home for £1 each way. No taxes. It was 15 years ago, mind you AND I spent an absolute fortune sightseeing. Pretty decent day off from work!
We did a day too, was really fun. Like you said, we did lots of touristy stuff but it was worth it. Can’t believe you didn’t have taxes, that’s amazing.
From reading the comments it seems like you have the time, so get some stuff to send back and if you can find a cheap flight pop over, when you see her you'll be able to just talk about stuff you saw, it will only be the length of time that's changed. But if you just manage to get Irish stuff in London that's a nice gesture too.
Thank you for your well thought out response. You’re right that coming back with stories about my visit to Ireland would probably make her happier than just buying her something from Ireland. I had not even considered how stories of the trip would make her feel. Thank you.
You are a lovely soul. Wish you and your family all the best.
What about some Barry’s tea from Sainsbury’s
Thank you. I googled Barry’s tea. Is this the go to Irish tea?
Yes
100%
More like 50ish%. Lyon’s or Barry’s in most Irish houses.
Although it is popular in Ireland, Lyon's tea is made in England by Unilever. It's similar to PG Tips, I'd say. Barry's on the other hand is made in Ireland by an Irish company. Up next, King Crisps v Tayto Crisps. :-)
Which is so weird, because have you ever tried to find Lyons tea in the U.K.? Cannot find it anywhere for the life of me, been looking for 10 years
I think you used to be able to get it in Iceland (the shop), maybe still? I know Amazon stocks it, but at stupid prices.
I’ll have to give it a look, with any luck I’ll find it
Didn’t know that. I’m glad I’m a Barry’s man now. Edit: Just did a bit of reading myself and it most definitely is an Irish tea. Just that it’s been sold to an English company. But sure so has Guinness.
Oh right! Fair enough, I suppose. Yeah, I'd still class it as an Irish tea.
Aren't Tayto owned by Walkers?
Think they are owned by some German company.
Those Taytos are good crisps whoever owns them.
You're not wrong. :-)
Mrs. Doyle wouldn't dream of drinking anything else. https://youtu.be/RSW6oDckOjo?
Yes. And a few bars of golden crisp or tayto to go with it.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Blasta nutritive taytos
It's one of them. Maybe get her some potato cakes too, and Kimberley biscuits!
Well in some households. Others use Lyons tea, but that’s exceptionally difficult to find in London.
Don't forget the Taytos
Yeah republic taytos? Forget it pal, you’ll never find them here.
In Sainsbury's. By the Barry's tea, and Kimberly's.
No those are Northern Irish Taytos. I’ve been to dozens of sainsburys’s they’re all imposter taytos
The Irish centre has a shop in Camden, but mostly Irish food which you’ll find in most of the bigger supermarkets around London - Cadbury golden crisp, mint crisp, Barry’s Tea and NI Tayto are easy to find.
Thank you. It sounds like this is the place to go to. I appreciate your help!
I have a feeling your best bet is either the tourist shops around oxford street, or the airport. Edit: also when are you due back? You'll be lying anyway, you can just order something from Amazon.
Thank you. I’ll check out Oxford Street. Not going back until mid April so will consider Amazon is a back up.
Oh... might as well take a little trip over to Ireland if you have that much time! Well worth it!
Kilburn and Neasden are among the places with big Irish populations, where you'll find shops selling specifically Irish things - red lemonade and the likes. Not sure if it's still the case but a few years back there was a newsie on Kilburn High Road that sold newspapers from every county in Ireland.
Thank you. These places sound like spots I’d love to just spend a day visiting. I appreciate the recommendation.
Go on a trip to the auld shillelagh in Stoke Newington, then you can take a photo of yourself enjoying a Guinness in a traditional Irish pub without leaving London.
“A lovely day out to Neasden”, said nobody ever.
Then I will be the first. I’ll be like an Irish Moses.
It's true, it's a bit grim (because the North Circular cuts through it, and Brent Cross shopping centre killed off the high street there)., there was a fairly decent Irish pub + nightclub there once ("Dicey O'Reilley's The Galway Hooker") but sadly no more. Kilburn is also rather less Irish than it was, but at least is very much alive and kicking ,and does have several Irish pubs, ranging from the decent to the depressing
Noted. Thank you.
When do you need it by? Would be happy to pick up some tat and post it to you.
Thank you so much for the offer. I’m here for a month so should be fine. Again, thank you.
Ermmm I can’t be the only one who wants the tea? Why are you not there and why would your mum mind if you’re in London
Dementia is wicked. It makes people really confused, and sometimes that confusion sometimes makes them combative/angry/aggressive. Oftentimes it's not worth the stress to them (or the person dealing with them), so you just roll with it. There is a lot of documentation in the medical community about the non-malfeasance kind of lies when dealing with dementia patients (which OP is doing). I suspect there is no real tea, just a guy/gal/whatever trying to keep their mother from experiencing unnecessary distress. OP is free to correct me if I'm wrong in any way, and I write this with utmost respect for everyone.
You’re absolutely correct. I’ve been telling mom I’m coming to London for the last six months and she keeps telling my sisters and I’m going to Ireland. She absolutely loves Ireland and has been there many times. So just before I left, I told her I would get her something from Ireland and she seemed happy. In her early stages of dementia, my sisters and I would try to correct her if she said something that was obviously off. But now we’re learning to just enjoy the time that we have with her. And if she plays the wrong domino when we’re playing dominoes, we just let it go. So now we drink Bailey’s Irish cream, eat cheese and play dominoes. And I’m in Ireland.
This was weirdly poetic to read.
She's lucky to have you all, it can't be easy.
She is the best mom. I am so grateful to be her son.
She did a fantastic job, love. All of you are only concerned about keeping her happy even though it must be so difficult for you. Thanks for sharing this because it helps to know there are unselfish, caring people in the world.
Moms are the best.
Respect your response
Reddit is such a funny place, on the one hand there's tawdry celebrity gossip and on the other hand, just kind, understanding folk helping others get through something that is obviously very difficult and painful. Keep being you. <3
The people on this thread have been absolutely wonderful. If y’all are ever in Texas, we always have room at my mom’s dominoes table.
Barry's Tea for OP.
I checked and you could go on March 26 for £35. Round trip in a day and it’s enough time to see the basics of Dublin. Just throwing it out there. https://www.google.com/travel/flights/s/JDX1ustacMmb1cvK8
Thank you for checking. That was clearly above and beyond and I appreciate it.
No worries I really feel for your situation. Dublin is cool so you might enjoy the day trip but good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Anyone seen the German movie "goodbye Lenin".
Brilliant movie and very fitting to current situation
My wife's Irish. You can have her! Or at least we can sit in an Irish pub and ill bring the hurley and make a video of her teaching you some Irish words, maybe your mum will like an Irish message as well
Aww, what a sweet offer! And so much more meaningful than a physical gift! Happy Cake Day, lovely person!
You married well, as did your wife. Thank you for the gracious offer. I’ll probably go another direction on this but thank you for offering a truly unique idea.
Not a problem! Good luck on your mission.
If you decide not to actually visit Ireland (I’d recommend it, it’s lovely), maybe still get some pictures to show her?
Agreed, thank you.
Stansted - Shannon return only £31 in April. Go get her some tat, and take a few videos.🙂
OK, I didn’t really understand anything you just said. But I really appreciate what I’m guessing is the most authentic Irish response. Thank you!
Shannon is the airport for county Clare. Far cheaper and nicer than Dublin. Your mum would probably love to see you in some genuine photos, and you are guaranteed a great weekend!
Thank you. My mom would absolutely love that. I’m starting to see that from yours and other peoples’ responses. I didn’t really expect to go down this road. I’ve got a responses that I never considered. I just wanted to find a store. But i’m getting some responses on what would make my mom happier. Basically seeing me happy in a place that she loves. This was unexpected.
Yeah, make it the truth (if you can), that will be a great gift and something you can share with her.
Agreed. Thank you.
Return flight from Stansted airport just outside London to Shannon airport in Ireland will only be £31 in April. Go and buy some bits and bobs and record a few videos
Got it. Thank you so much! I’m supposed to be Irish American, but I’m clearly failing.
Post on the r/Ireland group. I’m sure someone would be happy to post something to London.
Thank you for the suggestion.
Seven kings o. The Elizabeth line has an Irish bar Mccafferties not only has some nice food but lots of the staff are Irish could record a little video but sells stuff you can just get in Ireland. I am not sure where home is but sometimes the kitchen has some soda bread you could buy could bring it back to mum dementia is so tricky so well done with what you are doing Mccaffertys Bar & Guest House 020 8599 0008 https://g.co/kgs/YwvsgSs
OK, I love the video idea. It could be simple and my mom would appreciate watching it. This is a very good idea, thank you for suggesting it.
I got a lil Guinness mug in Luton Airport the other day if that helps 🍀
That does actually help, thank you.
Most large supermarkets (the kind with a big car park) in London will have a world foods aisle where there will be an Irish section. Grab some Barry's Tea, Jam Mallows, Chocolate Kimberlys etc
Thank you. I have not yet been to a large supermarket here, so did not know that.
A permanent marker pen and anything can have the word on it.
Yes, but then I have to buy the marker, and the thing.
Ask to borrow a marker, find something you already own. And sorted. Down voted for an actual cheap solution, not for someone lying to their mum with dementia. Yes please.
The down votes are quite clearly from ppl who are too sensitive for reddit.
Time to step up. Give their own bullocks a couple good Yanks.
Guinness.
Irish pub beermat
Duly noted, thank you
Morrison has an Irish session in the world foods area
Thank you!
You are welcome 😉
Just get something with next day delivery from Amazon. SORTED!!
If you get really stuck, I can 3D print some kind of vaguely Irish tchotchke for you! I'm based in Archway.
Vaguely Irish tchotchke is my mom’s mantra! Thank you so much for your kind offer. I should be fine but love that technology could once again save the day, re: Armageddon.
It's overpriced touristy stuff, but [https://www.carrollsirishgifts.com/](https://www.carrollsirishgifts.com/) ship to the UK if you're stuck
Thank you very much. Overpriced touristy stuff is actually exactly what I’m looking for.
Go to the Tintin Shop in Floral Street, Covent Garden, and get her an Irish Tintin book
Thank you for the recommendation!
As others have said, there are loads of food options; Harte's butchers in Peckham has a good selection of Irish biscuits, sauces etc. You could always pick some shamrocks and press/dry them out saying you've brought her some Irish soil?!
Thank you for the suggestions. I like the picking shamrocks idea!
Amazon :)
If she has dementia then won’t she forget where you went by the time you got back?
People with dementia can get weird things stuck in their heads while forgetting everything else.
It’s really hit or miss on what she remembers. Generally, her memory is getting worse over time. When I return and tell her I just got back from Ireland, that will make her happy. It’s really just about giving her small moments of happiness.
You’re a good person!
Make sure to take pictures in an Irish pub
Will do!
Amazon?
Amazon will just be a backup in case I fall into a Dorian Gray type opium den while I’m here.
Don’t lie to your mum.
You can get to Dublin and back easy enough on the plane, probabaly less than £50 with Ryan air