Hi Guys,
Ive posted before, and see you locals have had provided excellent suggestions so far.
2 questions:
1.Where in Dublin can one go and get handmade sweaters for souveniers & great local scarves
2. How do you know a good pub from a bad irish pub ( specifically on the south side of the river?)
Thanks!

If ever you need some west coast canadian advice please email me!!

I havn't been to Ireland but I do have an idea of where to look for hand knit sweaters at very reasonable prices.

When my wife and I were in New Zealand, we stumbled across a yarn store. Since my wife knits , we went inside to look at yarn. The store was selling a number of sweaters that were knit by people that just like to knit. IT seemed lie they just added a few dollars to the basic cos tof the yarn.

We both wound up buying sweaters for less than the cost of the yarn alone would have been in the states.

Never been to Dublin, myself, but a quick search on Google turned up a few shops you might consider (these are just a few of many):

Kilkenny Shop
5-6 Nassau St
353-1-677-7066

The Sweater Shop
9 Wicklow St
353-1-671-3270

Monaghan's
15/17 Grafton St.
(tel. 677-0823)

Blarney Woollen Mills
Nassau St.
(tel. 677-5014)

Dublin Woollen Co.
41 Lr. Ormond Quay
(tel. 677-5014)

An Tain
13 Temple Bar Sq. N
tel. 01/679-0523

Dublin Woollen Mills
Metal Bridge Corner
tel. 01/677-5014

Cleo Ltd
18 Kildare St.
tel. 01/676-1421

Not Dublin, but...

Dyed in the Wool
Old Creamery Yard
Bennettsbridge
Co. Kilkenny
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)56 27684
http://www.dyedinthewool.ie/
From the website: "Our work force consists entirely of local knitters and stitchers whose skills allow them to work from their own homes at their own pace."

Just noticed that the Dublin Woolen Mills and the Dublin Woolen Co. have the same ph number. Obviously the same place! LOL....oh well.

Dublin Woolen Mills would be a large variety and after that I would say Blarney Woolen Mills. I have bought sweaters from both and been happy with them. They are not cheap though and there is a difference between hand knit and hand loomed. Just pick the one you like best!

There is no such thing as a bad Irish Pub!

Blarney Woolen Mills in Blarney is my pick, but there is also one in Dublin that isn't quite as good. Dublin Woolen Mills would be my pick in Dublin. If you're going to the Aran Islands, definitely pick up one of their fabulous sweaters there.

Unfortunately locally produced "hand made sweaters" are usually poor fitting and certainly lacking in style.

Every major fashion house, as well as many smaller designers usually feature a hand knitted sweater in their collection. This will be infinitely more chic.

Also remember that just because something is handmade it's not neccessarily better. People's grandmothers hand knit items, I'm sure most would rather not have to wear them.

andreazbc, I'm sure you WILL be able to find some nice handmade sweaters and other locally-made items. Buying something made locally is a way to take home memories of a wonderful trip.

Good luck and have a great time in Dublin!

Birmham Rocks
Thanks for the tips! and everyone else.Wearable souvenirs are the best!