Dublin shopping guide - where to shop and what to buy

Shopping in Dublin is a very enjoyable experience, nearly the whole city’s shopping is pedestrianized and easy to stroll around. Irish glassware, jewelry and culinary delights are found scattered around the shops, while street performers and quieter back street pubs will invite you to retreat inside their cozy interiors.

Grafton Street

 

Brimming with international and local shops, ranging from global fashion to Irish crafts, Grafton Street is the most exclusive of all of Dublin’s shopping areas. Located in the Castle Market district, the bustling pedestrian street is always full of shoppers, musicians and street performers. Be sure to check out Brown Thomas, one of the best department stores in the country. Don’t miss the beautifully restored Powerscourt Townhouse Center, a traditional Georgian townhouse full of galleries and unique boutique stalls. Also, wander along to St. Stephen’s Green to enjoy one of the largest parks in the city and admire the countless horse-drawn carriages.

 

Henry Street

 

Another pedestrianized zone, Henry Street has a great range of department stores and smaller shops. The whole area is easy to walk around and you must look for the imposing structure known as The Spire, located on O’Connell Street – one of the newest monuments in the city. Some lovely cafés and quiet coffee shops are also in abundance around Henry Street; so, to escape the hustle and bustle of Grafton Street retreat here for a bit of respite.

 

The Jervis Shopping Center

 

Built on the site of a former hospital, the Jervis was opened in 1996 and was the first sizeable shopping mall to be opened in the property boom of the 1990s. A great many number of high-street names can be found here, amongst several Irish local brands such as Dunnes & Penneys.

 

Castle Market

 

The castle area of the city holds a plethora of markets and small local shops. A gentle stroll around the area will bring you into contact with many locals and a wide selection of food, jewelry, local produce and unique items. You will also find one of the city’s most renowned restaurants, Cooke’s Café, and several other shops, bars and cafes that cater to all ages.

 

Temple Bar

 

If you can tear yourself away from all the attractions in the city then, keep your eyes open for Cow’s Lane Designer Market near Temple Bar. With over 60 stalls covering all ranges of clothes and accessories, it is open all year round – just moving inside during the winter. Nearby, the Winding Stair is the highlight of all the book shops in Dublin, filled with students and scholars; be sure to peruse through their fascinating selection of leather-bound tomes and paperbacks.

 

Retail Centers

 

Just out of the city itself there are many suburban shopping centers. Look out for signs to Blanchardstown Center, Liffey Valley, Nutgrove and Pavilions shopping centers for those all-day shopping experiences. More suitable for those seeking international brands, these centers are full to the brim with jostling trade.