I stopped into M Cahill and Son, the oldest tobacconist in Limerick over the summer hoping to purchase some of their house blends. The helpful woman behind the counter that day explained to me that since they switched to the Euro many regulations were put into place including a band on selling loose tobacco. Tins of Peterson blends average about 30 Euro. She also told me that I'd be hard pressed to find anything from Gawith and Hoggarth, Samuel Gawith, Esoterica, Germains, etc., unless I traveled to Belfast in the North. Hopefully your friend will have better luck. There was also no pipe tobacco available at the duty free shop in the Shannon airport.