Shopping in Dublin

People flock to the party capital of Europe to sample the infamous Irish craic (fun). The term 'fun' can be divided into a number of segments; attractions and activities, places to visit, things to see and do and most importantly of all shopping.

Delights of Dublin:

This vibrant, fun-loving city that sits next to the River Liffey is full of vast dynamic shopping centres as well as chic boutiques, ready to be viewed in all their glory. Full of character and each providing a wealth of choice from the Jervis Shopping Centre, located on the north side of the Liffey to The llac Centre, which has entrances from Henry Street and Parnell Street, you won’t run out of variety- but you might run out of time to see it all.

Like the city itself, Dublin's shopping scene is dominated by the fusion of old and new. There is nowhere more traditional than the Moore Street Market, on Henry Street (off O'Connell Street), where fresh fruit and vegetables are sold at bargain prices Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 6.30pm. If you want to experience the traditional side of Dublin, this is the perfect setting to explore the cobbled streets and surrounding buildings. For a more pricey market experience, you could take a walk around the Temple Bar Food Market located in Meeting House Square, open every Saturday 10am till 5pm.

South of the River Liffey is the elegant Grafton Street shopping precinct with upmarket department store Brown Thomas and one of Dublin's finest ultra-fashionable shopping centres, The Powerscourt Town House. The Design Centre situated on the top floor of the shopping centre deals exclusively in Irish designer fashions. So go the extra mile to appreciate the sheer beauty and quality- even if you're just perusing you will find something to capture your gaze.

If you’re looking for a lively shopping experience then venture to Dublin’s fashionable Temple Bar district, which boasts a great variety of one-off shops, such as Whichcraft- a showcase of innovative Irish jewellery, interior design and decorative arts. The area around Francis Street is also particularly lively and focuses on the antiques quarter.

Standard shopping hours are Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm/6pm. But if you need more time to fulfil your shopping needs then late-night shopping is on Thursday, with the bigger stores and many of the smaller ones remaining open until approximately 8pm. Many bookshops keep longer hours and some also open on Sunday afternoon.

Dining in Dublin:

If you want a gastronomic experience you won’t forget then you should venture to Les Frères Jacques restaurant located in the city centre. As Dublin’s top French restaurant you are guaranteed classic, seasonal cuisine- in particular superb seafood, with west coast oysters and grilled lobster on the menu. What more could your palette need?

For a more trendy dining experience you should check out Cafe Mao, with its exotic hot curries, spicy satays and other innovative Asian dishes it’s inevitable you will tantalise your taste buds and torment your tongue- it won’t be just your clothes you will need to keep cool!

Dublin has some of the most atmospheric and welcoming watering holes of any European city. Top of the list to visit should be a classic, old-fashioned, muzak-free pub, decked out with old mirrors, panelling and mahogany partitions. Fitting the bill are The Long Hall, located on South Great George's Street, The Palace, located on Fleet Street - one of the last civilised places to drink in Temple Bar - and Doheny & Nesbitt, which is located on Baggot Street Lower and is notoriously popular with the rugby crowd. So, if while in Dublin you want to check out the ‘talent’ you could find yourself mingling with members of the rugby team.

Alongside trend-setting bars, clubs and designer shops it is still possible to find quiet, traditional pubs, nostalgic museums and busking fiddlers in Temple Bar, even horse-drawn carts clip-clopping along cobbled streets. It is a fascinating blend of tradition and contemporary Irish life. No wonder, in Dublin today, Irish eyes are well and truly smiling.

- K.J.N -