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Xmas shopping Malcolm Rogers looks at retail therapy
in the capital.
If you want to buy a horse, Smithfield Market runs a horse fair on the first
Sunday of every month, where you’re sure to find something to satisfy
your equine requirements. Smithfield Square fills with hundreds of horses
for the, ahem, mane event, as well as scores of dealers, keen to make
some cash on a few quick sales — you can pick up a decent nag for
as little as e200. Mind you, if you’re not buying, avoid spitting
in your hand, or you could find yourself trying to get a string of Connemara
ponies onto the Ryanair flight back home.
But even if horses aren’t on top of your Christmas list, Dublin
has some intriguing retail opportunities. If you’re someone whose
idea of fun is to video the home shopping channel, then you’re gonna
love Dublin — especially coming up to Crimbo. Everything ranging
from international designer shops (think Paris or Milan) to local swag
such as Irish linen, Bushmills whiskey or Waterford Crystal is available.
Care should be taken, however. Cutting edge boutiques will be delighted
to relieve you of all your worldly assets but bargains can still be had
at markets where the tat and treasure of Ireland is on show. One way or
another, you may be sure that you won’t suffer from that dreaded
complaint, shelf denial.
Clery’s Department Store
O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
01 878 6000
Situated on the main shopping thoroughfare O’Connell Street, Clery’s
is Dublin’s biggest department store featuring everything from high
fashion to hi-tech. This is the place to steer for if you’re half
human, half shopping trolley.
Kilkenny Shop
5/6 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
01 677 7066
www.kilkennyshop.com
A treasure trove of everything that says ‘Made in Ireland’
— glassware, ceramics, jams, candles, and the latest fashions. Kilkenny
also supplies those other great stand-bys for Crimbo — clothing.
Tweed hats, wooly scarves and Aran sweaters.
Walton’s
2 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1
01 874 7805
or 69 South Georges Street, Dublin 2
01 475-0661
www.waltons.ie
Music still permeates Dublin in a way that it does in few other cities.
Walton’s is the venerable institution which has been serving the
needs of Ireland’s musicians for the last 80 years or so. Whether
it’s a bodhran stick or a one-day pipe lesson, Walton’s will
be able to help.
Georges Street Arcade
Georges Street
Dublin 2
George’s Street Arcade is perfect for exotic gift options. The old
world charm of the Victorian building coupled with a wide range of shops,
stalls and cafes means this isn’t just retail therapy, but retail
treatment, remedy, cure, rehabilitation, and rest.
In places, the Arcade is a throwback to Dublin’s hippy scene, with
a few ‘head’ shops still in situ — secondhand records
and books, bohemian clothes, Japanese and Chinese fashion, Indian joss
sticks.
Rare wines jostle for space with chocolates from the world’s remaining
confectionary superpowers, Switzerland, Belgium — and of course
Ireland.
For refreshment head for Simon’s Place Café — a Dublin
institution — and the excellent Market bar.
Temple Bar Food Market
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar Dublin 2
Mid-morning to late afternoon Sat & Wed
Where to stock up with Xmas tucker. Chic stalls selling sushi and salsas,
home-made soda bread with the consistency of breeze blocks, and Irish
edible crab wishing it had a different name.
Powerscourt Townhouse Shopping Centre
59 South William Street, Dublin 2
01 671 7000
Yes, We know if you’ve seen one shopping centre you’ve seen
a mall. But the Powerscourt Centre is seriously impressive. Occupying
the palazzo built by Lord Powerscourt in 1774, the inner courtyard has
today been roofed over and is now a speciality shopping centre. The Parisian-loving
Lord P would be deloirreh. Everything from niche silkwear outlets to food
speciality boutiques — with a full wrap-around coffee smell —
is available.
The Design Centre features cutting-edge fashions, but prices are generally
enough to bring the strongest credit card out in a sweat. Bargains are
available on sales goods and seconds. Alternatively, blag some bling upstairs
in the Loft, where young Irish fashion and jewellery designers present
their latest creations.
Avoca Handweavers
11-13 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
01 677 4215
www.avoca.ie
If it’s original pressies you’re looking for, pay this place
a visit. Presenting a huge array of contemporary Irish designs —
ranging from handknits to ceramics.
Brown Thomas
Grafton Street, Dublin 2
01 605 6666
www.brownthomas.ie
The city’s most exclusive department store — sort of Harvey
Nicks style — stocking every top international label. The only thing
you can’t buy here is lotion for shopping spree knee.
Hodges Figgis
57, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
01 677 4754
www.hodgesfiggis.ie
Dublin’s top bookshop, and in this city of letters that’s
a reasonable title to have. Books on every possible subject, plus a huge
Irish-interest section ensures that this is where literary Dublin lingers
in its spare time. |
