County Clare shopping guide - where to shop and what to buy

County Clare’s shopping scene is different to the cities and larger towns as it is mostly quite traditional, selling local items and enticing gifts. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, local arts or even a piece of Ireland’s rock in Carron. Those of you staying in self-catered accommodation will find local supermarkets and bakeries, and larger towns will have well-known retailers. From antiques to silly t-shirts, you won’t come away from County Clare empty handed.

Ennis

 

Known as the boutique capital of Ireland, why not take a look in every shop you walk past because the chances are you’ll find something wonderfully unexpected. The Irish Music Shop sells gifts and crafts from jewelry and knitwear to pottery, whereas Custy’s Music Shop sells all things related to traditional Irish music. Club Dangan and Manix sell high-end brand name clothing and Breda’s Boutique is a haven of elegant evening gowns to smart outfits for the ladies. Angel Times sell a range of spiritual products and the Ennis Bookshop is a cave of gifts, stationery and books. There are numerous farmers and traditional markets scattered throughout the town where you can explore a traditional side of Irish products.

 

North Clare

 

You won’t find shopping malls or bustling high street brands in North Clare. You’ll discover arts and crafts shops in Ballyvaughan like Quinn’s Craft Shop and The Russell Gallery Shop in New Quay. Why not spend an afternoon in Ennistymon, a market town in the North West that is full of traditional shops and also a handful of art galleries and craft shops.

 

South Clare

 

Traditional Irish gifts can be found at Blarney Woollen Mills in Bunratty, selling Aran sweaters and Waterford Crystal, and heart-felt gifts are plentiful in the Gleeson Goldsmiths in Shannon.  If you’d like a historical souvenir with a personal touch, the Lawrence Collection Costume Photography gets you dressed up and posing for a historical family photo to take home. You will find a small mall in Shannon, SkyCourt, which can provide those last minute gifts if you’re on your way to the airport.

 

East Clare

 

East Clare is a very limited area for main stream shops, but here you’ll be able to buy souvenirs from Banes Gift & Furniture Shop, or buy your host some flowers at the In Season Flower & Gift Shop, both located in Scariff. You’ll mostly find local markets or small gift shops here.

 

West Clare

 

In the West you will find a larger variety of shops ranging from fishing to surfing equipment, to quirky souvenirs. In Lahinch, Kenny’s Woollen Mills sells a range of crafts, pottery and jewelry and there is a Celtic T-Shirts shop that combines Celtic patterns with surfer-style clothing. If you want to take a bit of Ireland home with you, The Rock Shop lets you do just that if you visit Liscannor. Doolin offers much of the same with Doolin Deli and the Magnetic Music Café & Shop, and beautiful Celtic jewelry from I&RFB Silversmith.