Our Story: Irish Gifts from a NYC Dining Room | PierHouse

Hi. I'm Peggy. And there's a four-foot model Galway Hooker in my dining room.

Not on a shelf. Not tucked away. Front and center, in the middle of the room, black hull gleaming, rust-red sails perfectly rigged, impossible to ignore. The walls around it? Covered in photos of the McHugh, the real one, out on the water, racing at regattas, doing what she was built to do.

This is what happens when you marry into a family with a Galway Hooker.

My husband Andrew's parents are from Galway and Down. He grew up in New York City, spending summers in Ireland with these boats. It's in his blood. His grandfather owned the McHugh. She was passed down to Andrew's dad, who raced her for years and she still races today. The Hooker isn't a hobby for them. It's family.

Me? I'm second-generation American, all four of my grandparents came over from Ireland. Cork, Kerry, Leitrim, Galway. I grew up in New York City with parents who never let us forget where we came from. We listened to stories and music about our home across the sea. About the west of Ireland and what it meant to carry that with you. But I didn't grow up around boats.

And then I met Andrew. And suddenly the stories had sails.

We live in New York, but Ireland is never far. Especially not in our dining room, where the McHugh presides over every meal, reminding us of what matters. And I love it! Friends come over for dinner and do a double-take. "Is that... a boat?" Yes. Yes it is. And once you explain what a Galway Hooker is, what she represents, the tradition she carries, people get it. Or at least they stop asking if we're redecorating anytime soon. 

PierHouse Products started the way a lot of good ideas start , with Andrew wanting to make shirts for the guys who race the McHugh. Just something for the crew, you know? Then we thought, we wanted to pass that spirit, that connection to a place where Irish heritage is simply lived, to everyone. That led us to create PierHouse Products, with the name to pay homage to his family home on a pier in Galway. 

What You'll Find Here

From Irish-themed t-shirts and hoodies to personalized mugs and greeting cards, we create gifts that celebrate Ireland. Whether you're shopping for St. Patrick's Day, planning an Irish wedding or anniversary, or simply want to share your heritage year-round, we've got something that speaks to your soul.

Our signature collection features the Galway Hooker, the traditional Irish sailing boat that's been part of Ireland's coastal heritage for centuries. These beautiful vessels represent the resilience, craftsmanship, and spirit of the Irish people. You'll find them featured throughout our apparel and gift designs.

Why Shop with Us?

We're Irish by blood and American by address. Every design at PierHouse Products honors Irish culture, traditions, and that unmistakable Irish warmth. 

This is for the people who get it. The Irish in New York and Boston and beyond who carry home in their hearts. The families in Galway and Connemara who live this life every day. The people who've stood on a pier watching those red sails. The people who know what "You Know Yourself" means without needing it explained. For anyone drawn to the spirit of Ireland, whether you're celebrating heritage, embracing Irish culture, or simply feel that connection to the Emerald Isle.

And if you're the kind of person who'd understand why there's a four-foot Galway Hooker in my dining room, or better yet, if you have one in yours, then this is for you. 

Because somewhere between the jigs and reels, between the ropes and sails, lies home, wherever the Irish heart happens to land.

Welcome to PierHouse Products. You're always welcome. 💚

— Peggy (and Andrew, and the McHugh)

Explore the PierHouse collection — made by people who know, for people who know.