Shopping
A shopper's paradise
If you are looking for some retail therapy, Dublin is sure to please. The shopping scene in the Capital is filled with a mix of local and international department stores, boutiques, shopping centres and retail chains. Most of the shopping areas are pedestrianised to make it easy to get around and explore the huge variety on offer.
In Dublin’s southside, you’ll find Brown Thomas, an Irish department store offering international designer goods. It is set in the heart of Grafton Street, which is full of exciting retail options as well as cafes and restaurants, perfect for relaxing in when you need to take a break. Just beyond Grafton Street, you’ll discover the Temple Bar area, which hosts a collection of alternative boutiques with a bohemian style.
On the northside of the city, the best place to start is on Henry Street, where you can explore a wide variety of stores including Irish-owned department store Arnotts as well as UK-owned Marks & Spencer and Debenhams. Another traditional Irish department store is Cleary’s on O’Connell Street and its clock, which hangs out of the wall on the first floor, has been used as a meeting place by Dubliners for generations.
If the weather is wet, you can visit one of Dublin’s many shopping centres, which offer a selection of stores all under the one roof, such as The Jervis Centre, CHQ or The Ilac on the northside or Stephen’s Green and Powerscourt on the southside of the city.
If you are looking for a gift from Ireland, the most popular items are knitwear, pottery and crystal glassware. You’ll find traditional Irish knitwear such as Aran sweaters alongside contemporary pieces from designers such as Orla Kiely and Lainey Keogh. Irish crystal from Waterford and Kilkenny is famous worldwide and now includes stylish designer lines from John Rocha and Louise Kennedy. For silver lovers, Newbridge Silverware provides a modern range of silver jewellery designs and luxury gifts.
