Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1 The Shopping Scene
Generally, Dublin shops are open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Sat-
urday, and Thursday until 9pm. Many of the larger shops also have
Sunday hours from noon to 6pm.
The hub of shopping south of the Liffey is
Grafton Street,
crowned by the city's most fashionable department store, Brown
Thomas (known simply as BT), and most exclusive jeweler, Weirs.
Sadly, many Irish specialty shops on Grafton Street have been dis-
placed over the years by British chain shops (Principles, Jigsaw,
Monsoon, Oasis, A-Wear, Next, Boots, Mothercare) so that it now
resembles the average High Street in England. Since it's pedestrian-
ized, Grafton Street tends to have a festive atmosphere thanks to
New Kid on the Block: The Old City
Tips
Shoppers take note:
Dublin's latest “it” shopping district is
Old City,
located just west of Temple Bar and roughly com-
prising the area between Castle Street and Fishamble Street.
Though still under development, there's already a good mix
of hip fashion, modern interior design, crafts, and leisure
shops, as well as a bakery, Internet cafe, and a hair salon.
The center of the action is a cobbled, pedestrianized street
called Cow's Lane, which links Lord Edward Street with Essex
Street West. Granted, the name may not immediately con-
jure up a cool image, but it's become a destination in itself
for style mongers who like to get their retail therapy away
from the crush of Grafton and Henry streets. On Cow's Lane,
don't miss
Whichcraft
(see “Craft Emporiums,” below), con-
temporary pieces for the home at
2cooldesign,
postwar
home accessories from
20th Century Furniture,
and the lat-
est looks in glasses at the swish London eyewear outlet
Kirk
Originals.
North of the Liffey, the
O'Connell Street
area is the main
inner-city shopping nucleus, along with its nearby off-
shoots—Abbey Street for crafts, Moore Street for its open-air
market, and most notably, Henry Street, a pedestrian-only
strip of chain stores, department stores, and indoor malls
such as the ILAC Centre and the Jervis Shopping Centre.
Roches Store, on Henry Street, is a great place to find Irish
linens at lower prices.
