27 Best Shopping in County Cork, Ireland

With the largest stock and the highest turnover of Blarney's crafts shops, this noted emporium sells everything from Irish-made fashion for men and women to Aran hand-knitted items to leprechaun key rings.

This popular local hangout stocks new and vintage books, and a great selection of local interest reads. They've won awards for their children's section, and the staff has plenty of helpful tips.

Ireland's best high-end department store carries items by Irish and international designers. The ground floor has an excellent cosmetics hall and a good selection of menswear and Irish crystal. Refuel at the coffee shop, which sells healthful open sandwiches and house-made soups.

Food producers sell fresh produce and artisanal foods at this Friday market (9–2) in a covered alley beside O'Donovan's Hotel.

A local favorite, this store is not only a showcase for imaginative, modern Irish jewelry but home to a thriving open-view workshop with three full-time goldsmiths.

Europe's most southwesterly pottery workshop can be found on the scenic Durrus–Mizen Head road just west of Bantry. Helen Ennis produces handmade ceramic tableware in a variety of glazes.

This butcher's shop is known the world over (at least with Irish expats) for its Clonakilty Black Pudding, a breakfast product that's prominently featured on the shop's T-shirts—the ultimate West Cork souvenir.

Etain Hickey is one of Ireland's leading ceramic artists, and her shop stocks the best of contemporary crafts from local artists, including her partner Jim Turner of Rossmore Pottery, and fair-trade sources.

A group of local artists and craftspeople sell their wares at this large retail premises in the town center. Wood turning from storm-felled timber, knitwear, local ceramics, small artworks, candles, and jewelry are among the handcrafted items on offer.

Black-and-white photographs of Irish scenes are featured at this local gallery.

A selection of fine Irish linen and hand weaving, in classic and contemporary styles, is carried at this shop, together with Irish-made luxury knitwear in cashmere and silk.

Hilary Hale uses storm-felled, locally grown timber to make lamps, bowls, and platters.

This family-run studio sells handblown, hand-cut Irish crystal.

Dominic Dolan is the silversmith who crafts fine jewelry on the premises here.

Just across the road from the tourist office, the aroma of hot chocolate will lead you to Kinsale's tempting little chocolate shop. Truffles are handmade on the premises, along with a range of novelty chocolates (including a chocolate iPhone) and hot drinks to go.

This ground-floor space exhibits works by members of the long-established Cork Arts Society and others.

Owners Con McLaughlin and Karen Austin are masters of the vegetarian and ethnic repertory. Their bakery and deli sells specialty breads, cooks' ingredients, sandwiches, and savory herb tarts. You can assemble a superior picnic here.

On the road between Bantry and Glengarriff, this deli (and wine bar) is a showcase for locally made farmhouse cheeses, pâtés, and salamis, served on attractive sampling platters. It's also an excellent place to assemble a picnic or just to browse.

Whether you're hunting for early ’20s jazz, ’80s punk, or vintage Irish records, you'll find something of interest in the stacks of formerly loved records in this place. Stocks include the paraphernalia to accompany the records, from checked flannel shirts to bowler hats.

A large selection of Celtic-inspired silver jewelry is sold here, including traditional claddagh rings.

Set in a converted grain store at a pretty mews, this shop sells Irish-made jewelry, cutlery, pottery, and paintings.

Many of the works by locally based contemporary artists sold here are small enough to carry home.

After taking the Ballymaloe certificate cookery course, Ruth Healy left the corporate treadmill behind to open the ultimate cooks' shop, which aims to bring urban chic to rural Ireland. It's worth a stop en route if you're driving from Cork or Kinsale to Clonakilty. Sip a latte while browsing among locally made foodstuffs, including pâtés and patisserie, and a tempting range of cookbooks, cookware, and chocolates.

Rare secondhand books, graphic novels, and a wide range of photography and art illustrations cram this popular shop on Lavitt's Quay.

Cork's biggest bookshop carries a wide selection of new fiction and nonfiction and stocks many locally published books.