Sightseeing done? Maybe it's time for some shopping! There has been an influx of UK chain stores to Dublin recently, yet it still retains its charm with traditional designers and home made crafts readily available. The main shopping area is Grafton Street, just to the south of the city centre. Off Grafton Street lies St Stephens Green Shopping Centre and the Powerscourt Town centre (a unique shopping experience).On the north side of the city centre are Henry and O’Connell Streets. A timeless centre piece of O' Connell St. is Clerys department store with a throng of retail outlets lining both sides of Henry street. Two of the foremost department stores in this area are Arnotts and Roches Stores. Dundrum shopping centre opened its doors in March 2005 and is one of the biggest centres in the country. It is located 12 minutes from the city centre by tram.
BEST FOR DIFFERENT SHOPPING
Located just off Grafton Street in Dublin City Centre, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is a cultural and speciality shopping centre offering top fashion, food, art and antiques. Built in 1774 as a Town House for Lord Powerscourt, it was extensively refurbished and opened as a Shopping Centre in 1981. With over 40 different shops, galleries and boutiques complimented by a range of relaxing restaurants, bars and cafes it has to be a target for the discerning shopper.
Current tennants include:
ACCESSORIES Indochine - Beautiful selection of handmade decorative bags, jewellery, hairpieces, scarves and accessories. Bagatt - Sell footwear and accessories for ladies and gents. Turquoise Leathers- Turquoise Leathers offers a broad range of quality leather products.
ANTIQUES The Silver Shop - Specialists in 18th/19th/20th century Irish and English silver portrait miniatures. Windsor Antiques - Deal in antique diamond rings, watches, cufflinks, brooches and other jewellery. Delphi Antiques - Specialist antique dealer in Victorian and Edwardian period jewellery, antique European and continental porcelain. Also antique Irish Belleek porcelain.
ART Solomon Gallery - Leading contemporary art gallery. Giles Norman Photography -Deal in black and white landscape photography of Ireland, Paris and Italy. Visual Instinct - Glass and mixed media work by Artist Honor Hales. People's Art Hall - We have an excellent cross-section of contemporary Irish Art at prices to suit all pockets.
GIFTS & ENGRAVING The Bonsai Shop - Miniature Japanese, Chinese and Irish trees. Wood You Like - Hand made wooden puzzles. Gemstone and Fossil Shop - Mineral Specimens and Fossils. Gemstone Jewellery. Universal Workshop - Engraving.
LADIES FASHION
Design Centre, Eden Park, French Connection, The Collection, Jackpot, Genius, Brazil Body Sports Wear, Ciara Bridal, The Town Bride
MENS FASHION
Genius, Eden Park, French Connection.
Location
Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, South William St, Dublin 2
BEST OUT OF TOWN SHOPPING - DUNDRUM SHOPPING CENTRE
Located just 12 minutes from St. Stephens Green centre by LUAS tram, Dundrum Shopping Centre opened its doors on the 3rd of March 2005 and is set to become one of the largest retails centres in Europe when all phases are completed and opened. With all the top fashion brands represented, a 12 screen cinemaplex, over 15 restaurants and a community centre, visitors won't be short of things to see and do at Dundrum Shopping Centre.
Current tennants include:
Major Stores House of Fraser Marks & Spencer Penneys
Tesco
FASHION H&M House of Fraser Tommy Hilfiger
French Connection
Timberland A WEAR
Clerys is a must-see for any self-respecting shopper. This store has something for everyone from teenagers, mens and womens fashions to furniture, sporting goods and high quality homeware.
A recent €17 million refurbishment has allured major new brands and names like Mexx, Sisley, Kookai, Imitz are now a feature of the store. These exist alongside brand names such as Karen Millen, Nitya, Gerard Darel and Gas. Teenage fashions include Topshop, Kookai, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse, Angel. The lingerie department is extensive and stocks the very latest designs from top brands such as Calvin Klein, Chantelle, Malizia by La Perla, Lejaby, Gossard and Playtex.
Men have not been forgotten and can be kitted out in Christian Dior, Kangol, Magee, Pierre Cardin, Van Heusen, Dockers, Lee, Pringle, Bugatti and Yves Saint Laurent. The Homewear section covers every stylish furnishing you could possibly need.
Arnotts is the largest and also the oldest department store in Dublin. This store offers brands such as Mango, Miss Sixty, Diesel, Gap and River Island. The funky homeware and gifts section is one to visit, SF Cody can be found on the basement floor and sells all type of different gift. For Irish gifts visit the giftware section and choose from Irish Crystal (Galway, Waterford and Tipperary Crystal) and Irish Glass (Jerpoint and Kilkenny).
Located off Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre is one of the largest in the country. This centre houses over 100 outlets including Dunnes Stores, Argos, Benetton, Mothercare etc.
Temple Bar houses some trendy stores such as Christophers in Crown Alley, Urban Outfitters, Peekaboo Clubwear in Crow Street and Borderline Music Store. Old City, Dublin's newest shopping district is located in the centre of temple bar, between Parliament street and Cow’s Lane. Elegant interiors, handmade contemporary crafts, funky clothing and Nordic designs abound.
Brown Thomas is one of Dublin's premium department stores and stocks all the popular designers. For ladies the bag selection is extensive and if you're just browsing it's one of the few stores left where you can stroll in and fit on the designer sunglasses at your leisure. Nowadays, that pleasure is a rarity!
BT2 is an offshoot of Brown Thomas, located just across the street from the main store. Trendy designer labels abound, for both men and women. The look in this store is geared primarily toward the younger generation.
The Design Centre is a one-stop shop for Ireland's hottest contemporary designers. The new look Design Centre includes funky and stylish clothing from Irish designers alongside designs from international fashion houses.
Louis Copeland and Sons is a tailor famous for high quality made-to-measure suits. This store also carries ready to wear men's suits, coats, and shirts. This is where well-dressed insiders, from Pierce Brosnan to the Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, buy their suits.
Louise Kennedy's elegant showroom carries her clothing, accessories, and home collections, alongside Philip Treacy hats, Lulu Guinness handbags, and other statements of sophistication. This popular and glamorous designer is a favorite of Meryl Streep and Cherie Blair.
Costume is best for that special outfit or for that special day-out. Here you can get a really special, unique piece without the exorbitant price usually associated with designer fashion.
Jenny Vander in George's Street Market Arcade is a charming shop specialising in swing dresses from the 50s, in addition to great shoes and bags. Beautiful costume jewelry fills the display cases. This is a fabulous shop for one-of-a-kind pieces.
Location
George's Street Market Arcade, South Great Georges St., Dublin 2
For a bag which is unique try Louloubelle bags in the Powerscourt Centre. Here you will find all manner of bags which are functional, yet pretty and unique. Be noticed! Louise O'Leary, an up-and-coming Irish designer is responsible for this super-stylish range of handmade bags. Louloubelle bags retail between €70 - €120, depending on the fabric.
Craft Centre of Ireland is located on the top floor of the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. This shop offers an exquisite collection of Irish ceramics, wood, glassware, and much more.
Whichcraft sells unique crafts from wooden bowls, basketry, rocking horses and pottery to jewelry and ironmongery. There's a second Whichcraft shop on Cow's Lane in the Temple Bar area.
