Shopping Strips
Here’s the lay of the land, folks. While Grafton Street is Dublin’s top thoroughfare for high street shopping, South William Street is the beating heart of its Creative Quarter. This short, sweet strip was traditionally home to Dublin’s rag trade, and the tradition lives on in chic womenswear store Helen McAlinden, boutique malls like the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre and a suite of bars and restaurants catering for every conceivable taste. Nearby Temple Bar squirrels away shopping surprises galore, from art to skateboards to books; it's also a hotspot for vintage finds.
Arcade Fire
The George’s Street Arcade may be Ireland’s oldest shopping centre, but there’s always something new to discover. A feast of eclectic stores, art stalls and eateries are housed within the old Victorian building, from Bollywood bellydancing gear at Maharani to a dazzling selection of vinyl and CDs at Spindizzy Records and good honest sandwiches and soup at Simon's Place Coffee Shop... there should be shrines to this kind of thing.
Marvellous Markets
A short hop from the city centre you'll find the long-running Blackrock Market. Each weekend the Market hosts dozens of eclectic stalls, ranging from antiques and bric-a-brac to clothing, home furnishings, electronics, and food offerings to take the edge off retail-therapy inspired hunger. Back in the heart of town, head to the Old City area of Temple Bar for the Cow’s Lane Designer Mart, selling cutting-edge clothing, jewellery and crafts on Saturdays.
All shopped out and fully satisfied? You’re welcome!