136 Best Places to Shop in Ireland

Home to potter Mary Lincoln, a poll of Irish Times readers a few years back agreed this is one of the most beloved, creative, and cleverly stocked craft shops in the country, with everything from Lynsey de Burca's silver jewelry to McNutt's fine tweeds and linens. You can even watch Mary work at the wheel and purchase some of her own beautiful, delicate designs.

It's about more than the clothes at this self-styled concept shop, which specializes in contemporary Irish designers including Electronic Sheep and Emma Manely. You can also pick up the newest trends in local jewelry, bags, and scarves.

A true original with his Celtic modern jewelry, Barry Doyle is a master who allows you to watch him at work in his adjoining studio as he fashions beautiful wedding rings and his lovely Lilac Collection baubles. The store was chosen as one of the top 50 shops in Ireland by Irish Times readers.

An Aladdin's cave of a place in which to browse, the funky Bastion Gallery sells quirky gifts, books, and toys. The owner, Katie McCay, designs and handcrafts jewelry designed with ogham, the first written form of Gaelic, sculpting words onto chains, pendants, and earrings. The shop opens in the afternoons from 12:30 to 6 pm.

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.

Dublin's most exclusive department store, Brown Thomas stocks the leading designer names (including top Irish designers) in clothing and cosmetics, plus lots of stylish accessories. There's also a good selection of crystal. Their January sales are a big draw.

Take extra time to leaf through this treasure trove of literature. Heaving with 10,000 publications, the flagship store has new, discounted, and out-of-print titles, and an unrivaled range of Irish-interest books. Check in on Saturday for good old children's storytelling sessions.

A classy boutique for Dubliners with fashion sense and money, Costume showcases local designers such as Helen Steele. Vivetta and Preen are among the international designers featured among the rails of colorful, stylish clothes.

Dublin's leading independent bookstore, Hodges Figgis stocks 1½ million books on three floors. Once considered Ireland's oldest, its independent claim is a bit bogus, as a giant chain bought it some years ago. That noted, it has the stock, staff, look, and even aroma of an independent bookstore, and might even still please James Joyce (who alludes to it in his Ulysses).

An intimate space curating and showcasing the very best of Irish furniture, jewelry, and ceramic design---this is a one-stop shop to support Irish makers. Be sure to leave time to visit the popular on-site Middle Eastern café.

Ceramics by Judy Greene—a local potter specializing in hand-thrown ceramics depicting landscapes and Irish flora---as well as handmade jewelry and knitwear can be found in this two-story store in atmospheric Kirwan's Lane.

A quintessential Irish store, Kevin and Howlin stocks spiffy fashions, with lots of stylish handwoven tweed men's jackets, suits, and hats, along with an array of treasures woven from tweedy fabrics. All in all, a fabulous, one-stop shop for traditional clothes with flair. Wait until you see the whole wall devoted to headgear—eat your heart out, Ralph Lauren!

One of Ireland's favorite sources for Irish handicrafts, the Kilkenny Design Centre sells ceramics, jewelry, sweaters, and handwoven textiles. This spot in the old stable yard opposite the castle also has a restaurant specializing in hearty Irish fare.

Bespoke jewelry maker Margaret O'Rourke fills this wonderful little shop with her own contemporary, subtle pieces, plus select work from other up-and-coming Irish designers.

One of the best-known names in Irish ceramics, Mosse first set up his potter's wheel in an old flour mill in 1975. Since then, the shop's rustic floral-pattern pottery has become instantly recognizable for its "spongeware" designs. A visit to the shop, in a quiet village 16 km (10 miles) south of Kilkenny, allows you to see the pottery being made, and the adjoining factory shop often has good bargains.

Specializing in 18th- and 19th-century furniture, with a high-profile clientele (including Mia Farrow and Liam Neeson), the O'Sullivan "look" has been so successful that it now runs a full-time sister shop in New York.

This is a cooperative venture that provides a retail outlet for 32 Kerry-based craft workers. From jewelry to soap, wood turning to rain hats, glass to knitwear, and textile art to ceramics, you will find all things handmade here.

Together, Seamus and Kevin Sheridan know all of Ireland's artisanal-cheese makers personally and stock the widest possible range of delectable cheeses in their aromatic store to the rear of St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church. Italian charcuterie and home-branded chutneys along with the fine selection from the wineshop upstairs will complete your picnic.

A gem of an antique bookstore, Stokes has a great used-book section and specializes in Irish history and literature. While on the small side, Stokes is a treasure trove for book lovers.

Head here for a fine array of first editions of Irish literature and many other books of Irish interest, plus old maps of Dublin and Ireland.

This is the best known of the several classy, old-style jewelry shops that line tiny Johnson's Court, a delightful little lane off busy Grafton Street.

Traditional fisherman's knitwear, designed and knitted in the Aran Islands, can be purchased here. You can acquire an heirloom-quality piece or buy knitting wool and patterns and make your own.

A beautiful store with an eclectic collection of knitwear, jewelry, ceramics, and housewares from contemporary Irish designers. There's an artisanal food market in the basement and a fantastic café on the top floor with unmissable cakes.

At this scenic spot, midway between Kenmare and Killarney, you'll find stylish wool clothing, mohair throws, and rugs in remarkable palettes and a variety of weaves, alongside a café with superb views, serving Avoca's famous baked goods and salads. There's a new food market on the ground floor.

An extensive selection of crafts and women's fashions made by the stellar Avoca Handweavers is showcased here, along with delicious food products from the Avoca Pantry range.

Established in 1848, Waterford crystal, Belleek china, local pottery, linens, and crafts are found here in tempting array.

Tweeds, caps, rainproof gear, and a sizeable selection of contemporary clothing make this a good one-stop shop for gifts or to buy gear without the garish hues in other tourist-centric stores. Next door (or by upstairs annex) Meadow's and Byrne offers tasteful home furnishings and appliances. A daytime restaurant upstairs offers sandwiches and reasonably priced mains.

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

An excellent selection of special-interest books is available here, including Irish literature, gay and feminist literature, psychology, and self-help books. There's a cool café upstairs.

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.