I finally broke the news to my son tonight that we are going to Dublin for his 13th birthday in 1 1/2 weeks. His first response - Ooh - can I get a sweater? Everyone else in my family has one, but he outgrew his last one a few yrs ago (from my parents last trip). So, my amazingly nit-picky question is - where is the best place to get a good price on a sweater? I checked online and they're all $150-200. That would be a big chunk out of the budget (we're only going for 5 days).
As always, you Fodorites are the best, if highly addictive I can't wait to post my first trip report!

There's a large store on O'Connell St. (I can't remember the name: maybe it was Connolly's or something like that). If you walk from up O'Connell from Abbey Street (i.e., away from the river), you're headed in the right direction . You might even stop at Madigan's on Middle Earl Street for a great Carvery lunch at a reasonable price.

The store is right on the corner. They have lots of souvenir stuff including Aran Fisherman's sweaters. If you don't buy it in a reputable shop like that, be sure to check the label for origin:
Street vendors in Galway City were selling nice quality Irish Fisherman's sweaters made in NEPAL!

At age-13 I'm sure he will want an adult size (loose fitting) so you won't be able to take advantage of the exemption of Childrens' clothing from VAT.

But if you want to avoid the hassle of VAT Refunds you can wait until you get to the Dublin airport duty-free shops.

In Feb'04 we stopped at the ITB shop in Lahinch (Co. Clare). The sweaters there were 50-euro (about $60), but everything was 30% off: So we bought 5-sweaters at 35-euro each and even got our VAT Refund at Shannon airport. Needless to say: one doesn't run into a deal like that very often.

Last October I puchased a really nice hand knit (not machine knit) Aran sweater at Trinity Sweaters, 30 Nassau St. according to the web-site they are a branch of "The Sweater Shop" at 9 Wicklow Street. The price, if I remember correctly was around 75 USD. They had many different types of woolen goods. Have a great time!!

Trinity sweaters would be a good stop and Dublin Woolen Mills over the Hapenny bridge
http://www2.mappy.com/sid5dbWdtWkni7...mp;x=0&y=0
would have a larger selection. Go for Machine Knit as hand knit are too expensive and too heavy especially if he grows out of it. I think the 1st poster was talking about Carrolls which is a kinda souvenir shop but I would not vouch for their quality they are a souvenit chain shop that sells "leprechaun Oirish" items - fun gag gifts but not the best for sweaters. Also check out sales in shops in the country when you are travelling. Also there is a branch of "the sweater shop" on wicklow street off Grafton street see map: http://www2.mappy.com/sid5dbWdtWkni7...mp;x=0&y=0

Yes, that's it: Carroll's on O'Connell Street. They've got a pretty wide range of merchandise. As I recall, sweaters are upstairs in a kind of balcony showroom.

Have a look at www.blarney.com/dublinshop.htm