Shopping

Go on, rise to temptation as you check out the delectable and precious goods on offer in stores around Ireland

Ireland is fast shaping up to be one of Europe’s most stylish shopping destinations. From the supremely fashion-conscious streets of Dublin and Belfast, to the small artisan craftshops hidden down quaintly cobbled lanes, Ireland is the ideal place to find something chic, stylish and utterly unique. 

Glass by design
If you’re looking to bring something typically Irish home, Ireland is famed for its exquisite crystal and glassware with Galway, Tipperary, Tyrone and Waterford leading the pack. 

With outstanding reputations for excellent craftsmanship, the leading crystal companies embrace both traditional and contemporary styles following collaborations with some of Ireland’s top fashion designers. These include Louise Kennedy for Tipperary Crystal and John Rocha for Waterford Crystal. 

Newbridge Silverware has also launched an elegant glassware collection with famed Irish designer Paul Costelloe. Meanwhile, Jerpoint Glass Studio is a small, family-run glassblowing studio in Kilkenny where you can see both the glass being blown and pick up an individual piece to bring home with you.  

From Aran to cashmere
Ireland has a worldwide reputation for knitwear and woollen goods, so it makes a fantastic hunting ground for something to keep out the cold. Traditional Aran sweaters have a unique style all of their own, while designers such as Jimmy Hourihan are turning out elegant capes in a mix of cashmere and wool. Good places to seek out traditional Irish knitwear are Kilkenny Design, Blarney Woollen Mills, Dublin Woollen Mills and Avoca Handweavers. 

Mind you, if you’re looking for something more contemporary, then try the internationally renowned Irish knitwear designer Lainey Keogh or cashmere designer Lucy Downes’ Sphere One collection.   

What to bring home?
You’ll be spoiled for choice with a whole host of souvenir shopping opportunities: Parian china from Belleek; a bottle of Jameson whiskey, or Bushmills whiskey from the oldest licensed distillery in the world; linen from the Irish Linen Centre; lace products from the various craft shops, and, of course, a fresh or smoked Irish salmon. 

For something a little different, try The Cowshed Studios in Kesh, County Fermanagh, where you will find unusual hand painted Batik art and Celtic garden sculptures.

Step out in style
If traditional stuff isn’t quite up your street, then prove your sartorial worth with something special from one of Ireland’s top designers including Louise Kennedy, Quin & Donnelly, Oakes, Paul Costelloe, John Rocha, Lainey Keogh, Michelle O’Doherty, Joanne Hynes, Orla Kiely and haute couturier Jen Kelly. 

Capital boutiques
Go home with something uniquely Irish by taking a peek inside the eclectic collection of boutiques across the country.

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 Center, Powerscourt Townhouse Center, 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.