Capital boutiques

In Dublin, gorge on unique boutiques including a raft of stores along Clarendon Street and South William Street. Look out for one-off designer pieces at The Design Centre, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, and Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, or rummage for something cool at the Cow’s Lane Market (Saturday 10am-5pm, Old City, Temple Bar, Dublin 2).

In Northern Ireland, you simply must visit the Lisburn Road, Belfast, which is fast becoming a shopping Mecca! From antiques to fashion boutiques, craft stores to designer shoe shops, delicatessens to interior designs, you’re sure to find something special. In towns, such as Ballymena, Newry, Londonderry and Coleraine, you’ll find intriguing stores to please every taste. 

Meanwhile, around the rest of the country, check out Beth in Cork (Douglas Shopping Centre, Cork) and Les Jumelles (11 Upper Abbeygate Street) in Galway.